Not sure if anyone has been checking here... but

Well, the long and short of it is that he went in to fix a leaky valve in his heart. They had determined that they were leaking late november and he went in Dec 14th. He had the operation and was supposed to be out within 2 weeks. Well, that wasn't what happened. He improved a ton but then began to have lots of pain and issues with medication. After some testing they determined that the new mechanical valve that they put in wasn't sealed correctly either and was worse than before. Last week the took him in for a 2nd open heart surgery. Before he went in they said that this was more risky than they had ever attempted and that the chances of him coming out of it were very slim. He was sick, weak and very out of it and his spirits were anything but up.

Well, God is good and Ben did amazing through surgery. The doctors were amazed at how well everything went. They were confident that they got it all sealed up and had higher hopes for him. He was expected to have to be on full time dialysis for 2 weeks as they were thinking his kidneys would have failed totally, but yesterday when I was up there they were taking him off of the full time machine and moving him to a part time one. This means his kidneys are recovering from the surgery at this point.

Also, when I was up there they got him out of bed and we went for a walk down the hall. It was about 100ft, but his physical therapist was just hoping to make it to the door. This next 2 weeks is super crucial though that he stays healthy and continues to keep his spirits up.

Ben Update

From Ben:
"Jailbreak! The chicken has flown the coop. As of 7:45 (pm April 8th 2008) I Ben have escaped from el hospitale. Good times...good times"

Newell Update

Sorry for the long delay in updates, but I have been waiting for some actual news.

Ben: Ben is doing very well and is progressively getting better by the day. He has still had some nausea and headaches, but the doctors say that it could be due to weening him off of some of the drugs he has had. He is keeping food down now as well which is an improvement. There are a few things that the doctors want to see before he can go home. They want him to be up and walking more than he is, and also see how he responds once off some of the medication that he is getting now. After those things have proven to be positive then he can go home!

Ethel: Ethel has been diagnosed with diverticulitis. This is unrelated to her previous operation a few weeks ago. She is on a strict diet right now and they are waiting to see how she does in the coming week.

Logan: Logan has been doing well on the chemotherapy and got a little sick, but is better now after some medicine. He has been responding well to the treatment so far and is doing well.

Jordan Lambert

The Newell's

his is Meaghan, I wanted to add a picture of Ben and me to your blog but I couldn't so I had to create a blog, I hope you don't mind. Please keep updating your blog, I just wanted to post a picture of Ben and I, so my friend is helping me figure this blog thing out. Don't expect updates on this blog :)

I'm sitting in the hall right now they are about to do something with Ben so we are working on this blog entry. I wanted to thank you all for your prayers and support, it has really made a difference and has been a good witness to the hospital workeres. Right now it is REALLY funny to be with Ben because he has been delirious (very funny) the last few days. He has been saying and doing a lot of funny things and I wanted to share a few of my favorites so you all can enjoy them:
1) "I think I'm suffering from post pardem depression" - Ben talking about missing his former heart.
2) "What's a feeding tube between friends"
3) I enjoyed Ben singing a song about his catheter today as well.

Logan has not shown any side effects from his first chemo treatment. He is back with his grama and loving it! Emma is still with the Bridges. We cannot thenk them enough. Please continue to pray for them and bless them.

It is a different feeling to finally see an end to all this. I can't say I have enjoyed it, but what an honor to be in a situation so clearly guided by His hand and and to have an answer ready for the hope that is within us. It is scary to say to God you'll go wherever He'll take you, but having been there I can attest to His ability to carry us mightily through it all. Don't be afraid to trust Him- He is good.


-Meaghan

Ben & Logan Update

Ben had surgery today around 2 pm because he was having some bleeding. The doctors found a leak and a clot and fixed them. He seems to be doing better, but continue to pray for his recovery. He is still sedated from the surgery at this time.

Logan had his second chemotherapy treatment this week and seems in good spirits. Continue to pray for wisdom for all those involved with helping him get better and that he will stay healthy through the treatments.

Ben's New Heart!!!

Ben got his new heart last night around 10 pm. All went well and the doctors were very pleased with the procedure. He was back in his room with a new heart around 1:30 am this morning. I have not heard anything since then but I will let you all know as the days go on how things are going. Pray that his body accepts the heart well and that he will be able to recover speedily so that we can all enjoy the Ben that we love again outside the hospital walls.

Another Ben Update

Ben's surgery has been delayed until 1-3 pm this afternoon

UPDATE: Ben "should" be leaving for the operation around 4:30 and starting around 5:00, but as you have seen from the last few updates that is very subject to change at this point

Ben Update

Meaghan just texted me and she was just informed that a heart has become available for Ben. He will be going to the operating room at 6 am this morning (wednesday the 5th of march).

More details to come as the morning goes on I'm sure

Article in the Statesman Journal

Here is an article about a fundraiser happening this weekend for Logan

Newell Fund Raiser Article

Ben & Logan

Logan had his port put in today for Chemotherapy which he starts next week. This will allow them to insert the IV needed for the treatments. The have also put him on a plan to have partial IV and partial pills so there will be less trips required to Portland for him.

Ben is still partially sedated at this time so he is a bit in and out. But, he has been put back on the transplant list already which is a praise. He has been having less shocks as well which is a praise too.

Keep praying for God's perfect timing with a heart for Ben and that the treatments will be met with great success for Logan.

Ben Newell Update

Ben is still sedated today and since the surgery to put in the heart pump. Meaghan asked me to send out a special prayer request for Ben today. He has been getting shocked by his defibrillator a lot in the past few days. It is not damaging at this point, but the doctors can't figure out why he is being shocked.

Thank you all for your diligence and dedication in prayer for Ben

Ben Update

Ben is still sedated today. The doctors wanted to give Ben's body a rest after the surgery. He does have a slight fever today and that is why the doctors have decided to keep him sedated for now. The right side of his heart (which isn't hooked up to the heart machine) has been working overtime so they want to give him more rest as well.

Ben Newell Update

Ben got out of surgery a little while ago and everything went very well. The doctors said that everything went smoothly and he will remain sedated until sometime tomorrow.

Jordan Lambert

Ben Newell Update

Ben is heading into surgery at about 1pm this afternoon to get a heart pump put in. The operation will be taking up to 8 hours and because of this he will be off of the transplant list for about 2 weeks to recover from this surgery. Pray for God's timing with a heart and for Ben's health to improve from the much needed operation.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Update...

Just a note to all those on the list to continue to pray for the Newell Family. I'm not accusing anyone of forgetting, but I do know that after awhile life catches up with all of us and as the old saying goes "out of sight, out of mind". Ben was moved back to the ICU to have more tests run on his heart and to monitor him better. His condition has gotten worse, but the causes have not changed. He needs a heart, but in the mean time the doctors have to keep him healthy enough to be ready for a new heart. It may seem like a long time waiting, and indeed it is a long time. The average time to get a donor heart is about a month and that is about the time he has been waiting now.
Please continue to pray for wisdom for the doctors, comfort for the family and patience for all those involved to trust in God's perfect timing.
Also be praying for Logan as he starts his Chemotherapy this week. Pray that he stays healthy and that the treatments will help stop the growth of the tumor.

The Newell family appreciates and thanks you all for your prayers.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Update

Ethel was released from the hospital late late last night. She is still week and tired so pray for strength in her recovery. Due to her being tired and trying to heal they are trying to limit visitors for the time being. If you have the desire to visit then please be considerate of the time you stay and call before showing up to make sure that it is good timing for her. The family appreciates all the prayers for them and the emails that you have sent for them to read. Most of them have been passed on for the family to read with a small recent collection that will go to them soon.

Ben is doing very well today. He had a downer day yesterday due to some medication issues where he had to be placed on oxygen, but that has been straightened out and he is up moving around again. Continue to pray for God to provide a heart for Ben and pray that in the mean time he stays healthy and ready to receive a new heart.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Fund

Correction: Funds mailed to Bethel Baptist Church of Aumsville must be sent to the following P.O. Box.
Bethel Baptist Church
P.O. Box 167
Aumsville, OR 97325

There is a fund setup at Bethel Baptist Church in Aumsville, OR for the Ethel Newell family for those that are wanting to help them in this time of need. Make out checks to Bethel Baptist Church and attach a note specifying that you would like it to go to the Ethel Newell family fund. Your gift will be tax deductible and all of your donation will go to the family. Make sure that you write a separate note and not in the memo of the check for IRS reasons. You can contact the church for any further information at the following:

Bethel Baptist Church
645 Cleveland
Aumsville, OR 97325
phone: (503) 749-2128

Jordan Lambert

So Long, Thanks for all the Fish

Gary Newell, John's brother, wrote this poem about John and he read it at the graveside service today. Several asked for a copy.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Update...

John's viewing is available at Weddle Funeral Home in Stayton on Thursday the 7th of February from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m


Weddle Funeral Home
1777 N 3rd Ave, Stayton, OR
Click Here for Directions to Weddle Funereal Home

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Update

Ethel has made it through surgery and is doing great. She had a ruptured small intestine but the doctors have got it fixed and she is doing very well. They are asking for no more visitors for Ethel. She needs her rest so that she can be out in time to make it to the service on saturday. Thank you for all your prayers for her, but in this time the best we can do for her is let her rest and recover for the busy weekend ahead.

Jordan Lambert

Newell and Nagel Services

I have just been told the service times for both Jared Nagel and John Newell.

John Newell's service is Saturday the 9th of February at 10:00am. The service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Aumsville oregon.


Bethel Baptist Church
645 Cleveland St
Aumsville, OR

Click Here For Directions To John's Service

Jared Nagel's service is Saturday the 9th of February at 2:00pm. The service will be held at Salem Evangelical church.

Salem Evangelical Church
455 Locust St NE
Salem, OR 97301

Click Here For Directions To Jared's Service

For directions from your starting location just click on the links above for the service you need directions to and enter your starting address. You should be able to print the directions from that page after doing so.

Newell Family Update...

Many of you have asked about when the services for John and Jared will be held. I will send out an update on both when the families have decided on a day.

I'm writing to ask for prayer for Ethel Newell. She has had abdominal pain the past few days and went in for a cat scan earlier this afternoon. After reviewing the results they admitted her to the hospital. She is going into surgery shortly, and the doctors believe that it is either a severed intestine or intestinal blockage. Pray for wisdom for the doctors in finding the real problem and again for the family as this is just added stress in an already difficult time.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Updates...

Update and other requested prayer-
Last night John Newell went home to be with his creator. It was both a sad time and a joyous time because we all know that he finally is where he longed to be. He now has a perfect body that will never break down and bring him pain anymore. Pray for continued comfort for the family in this time and that all the arrangements they need to make go smoothly.
For those of you that know the Nagel family on this mailing list I would ask for prayer for them right now as well. They are good friends of the Newells as well and suffered a sudden loss. Their oldest son Jared was killed in a snowboarding accident at Stephens Pass yesterday afternoon. Jared loved the Lord and is in a better place now, but it is hard sometimes to understand why things happen. Pray for comfort for his family and a peace as this came very unexpected. Also pray for his girlfriend Paige that God would surround her in His arms at this time. Pray for his sister Sarah who needs to find a quick way home from Japan to be with the family during this time. Jared was a good friend and will be missed for awhile. But as with John we do know that it is only for the time on this earth that we will miss him because there will be a huge family reunion in heaven for all of those that Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some might ask why God would take away such a young person like this. I know that I have wondered why so much has happened to the Newells all at once. I assure you that there is a greater plan and God has not lost control. God longs to be with all of His children and is going to take all of us home at some point. We were not created in the begining to die so like Ben Newell said last night "we weren't designed to understand death". God is good all the time and though we grieve here on earth because we will miss both of these men. Last night they just had the party of their lifetime being welcomed into heaven.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Updates...

Family and Friends
It pains me to have to give this update. I just got off the phone with Ben. The family met with the doctors and after some tests they have informed them that John's brain is not going to recover from the trauma. In a little while from now they will be removing him from life support.
Please pray for comfort and peace for the family as this is both a very sad time of saying goodbye, but met with the reality of where we all know John is going. As sad as this time is John is headed to a place he has longed to be his whole life, and for those of us who believe and serve the same God John does we have a reunion in eternity to look forward to.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Update...

Friends and Family,
First off, remember that God is good. I spoke with Ethel tonight and she is strong as can be. I will be delivering the emails I have so far to her tonight. Today has been met with ups and downs.

Ben: Ben is still having nausea at times, but other than that the doctors think he is doing very well. We are praying for a heart soon, but remember to be praying for the family that must endure a loss to bring life.

John: The doctors have been monitoring Johns brain activity throughout the day and the outcome so far is not favorable. They have found only signs of seizures in the brain and he has showed no signs of waking as the drugs that kept him in his coma are wearing off. They did an MRI and the team of doctors are meeting in the morning about his condition and then with the family afterwards to go over options. The doctors said that there is some minor swelling of the brain, but that seizures are worse than swelling at this point. The doctors are not looking favorably on his condition at this time. Pray for peace for the family as they may have some tough decisions tomorrow and pray that the doctors would have wisdom to convey the situation clearly to the family.
This time seems grim and hopeless, but be reminded that John serves a God that longs to be with his children. John, though he would want the best for his family, longs more to be in the presence of His God and to be reunited with Dave where they both have perfectly new bodies that will live forever. There is still hope in these times and more importantly than anything lets all take this to the Lord in prayer and pray that his will be done.

I will keep you all updated as I hear more.

Jordan Lambert

Newell Family Updates...

Some more updates for you all. Some of this may be a repeat, but the same idea remains. God is good all of the time and even though the situation looks grim He does know better than us. I will be printing and sending the encouraging words that some of you have for the family so feel free to email me anything that you would like to be passed on to them as well as sending cards to the address below.


JOHN: Ethel spoke with the doctors last night, and they were planning to do an EEG
then just to check for seizure activity. They have taken John off the
medications that put him in a coma, but the meds will take a while to
wear off. They will continue to wake him up over the weekend, and then on
Monday they will do a test on him to check for regular brain activity.
Pray that his brain quickly recovers well.

LOGAN: Logan's doctors were kind enough to meet with Ben and Meaghan in
Ben's room. The MRI showed that the tumor is still growing, slowly.
Chemotherapy will be postponed to three weeks from now. Pray for that
tumor to shrink! Also pray for Logan and Emma as being separated this
much from their parents and grandparents is hard for them. Pray for Josh
and Christina as they have committed to care for them indefinitely so the
kids can have stability.

BEN: Ben is pretty much the same. The doctor said he was surprised that a
heart had not come in yet. Keep praying for God's timing in this. Pray
for Ben that his pain and nausea would be relieved.

Meaghan and Ethel are doing well thanks to your prayers and support! Pray
that they can get good sleep in less than ideal conditions. They are
pretty much camped out, and love to have visitors in the waiting room.
Visits to Ben depend on how he is feeling. They also love to get cards:
Ben/John Newell, % OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239

Newell Family Update...

Dear loved ones:

We realize that John is normally the one to give this update, however, he is unable to for awhile.

John had a heart attack Tuesday morning. Thankfully, Ethel was home when it happened and was able to call an ambulance. His heart was stopped for a lengthy period of time but managed to start up again. He is currently in an induced coma at OHSU on the floor that Ben is on. John is stable, and they plan to do a CAT scan today, an EEG tonight or tomorrow and maybe a couple other tests before bringing him out of the induced coma.

Ethel has many people with her there and she is standing strong in God's grace. Meaghan is as well. Please pray that she can get rest when she tries. She does need sleep and God's peace.

BEN: has had a great last couple days health wise. Obviously he still needs a new heart as soon as possible, but with medication, they've been able to get his resting pulse under 100 which is much better than it had been before. He is still tired but in good spirits.

LOGAN: Logan's doctors have met with Ben and Meaghan to discuss Logan's results and the plan for him. The kids are still with Ben and Meaghan's friend, Christina, indefinitely.

It may seem like everything is going wrong that can go wrong right now, but if John were able to write now, we know that he would say GOD IS GOOD. Just go back and reread his last couple emails and know that no matter what happens John has served the Lord with his life and still lays all of his burdens at His feet.

We'll keep you posted as we find out more.

Jordan and Haley Lambert

Ben is on the Transplant List

After the OHSU transplant committee reviewed Ben's case he was approved to be listed for a heart transplant. Since he is in Cardiac ICU, on life sustaining IV medications and is the only person of his blood type listed in the North West (Oregon/Washington/Idaho/ Western Montana and Northern California) he goes to the top tier of the list (for his blood type). This is a real answer to prayer. Now "waiting on the Lord" begins.

While we believe as Scripture teaches, "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away" life is a precious gift from God. As you pray for Ben's life to be spared please consider praying for comfort for the families of those who lose loved ones and are sensitive enough to to offer life through being organ donors.

John Newell

PRAYER UPDATE for Ben & Logan Newell

*BEN* - The heart transplant committee from OHSU usually meets on Tuesdays but they scheduled a special meeting for today (Friday) just so they could evaluate placing Ben on the transplant list. This tells us that they realize the urgency of his declining heart condition. The doctors have him on a powerful new IV vasodilator to help take some stress off of his heart. He remains in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Please pray for a positive decision on their part and continue to pray for Ben's heart to hold on until God provides a donor heart.

*LOGAN* - He underwent his MRI yesterday (Thursday) and they put him under general anesthetic They scanned his brain stem tumor and upper spine. He is still a bit dizzy from the anesthetic but came through it fine. No report yet on what the MRI showed. He will probably begin chemotherapy next week.

Thank you for all your prayers, emails and phone calls. Your encouragement to us makes all the difference for our entire family. We are truly blessed.

John Newell

Please Pray for Ben and Logan

Dear Friends and Family,

Ben had a Right Heart Cath yesterday and the doctors decided to leave it in and move him to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at OHSU in Portland, Oregon so they could monitor his heart pressures as they continue to attempt to draw down the fluid levels in his lungs and liver. He is feeling slightly better due to good meds but his heart function is poor and they are going to list him for a heart transplant soon. Pray that he will get a good donor heart without a long wait.

Logan Ben's 28 month old son is going to OHSU tomorrow for another MRI on his brain stem tumor to see whether it has grown or not. Ethel and I have been watching both Logan and Emma this week while Meaghan has been staying at the hospital with Ben. Ethel will be driving Logan up to Portland for the MRI. They will be probably starting chemotherapy on him within the next couple weeks. Pray that the tumor will stop growing and begin shrinking. He is still unable to walk more than a few steps at a time but he is smart at a whip. Today he was sitting in our living room with some of his toys and singing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of his lungs.

Of course we want the Lord's will and are trusting His Word that "He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose" Romans 8:28. We know that God's intent for any event in a Believer's life is to make us like Christ. In His Word He didn't promise us prosperity or a problem free life but said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I was reminded by Ethel's brother the other day of a passage that God has drawn us back to a number of times in our lives when we were facing one crisis or another, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12, NIV) God's Word and God's People will carry anyone through hard times. We can ALWAYS rest in that truth. "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Please Pray for Ben

Dear Friends and Family,

Our son Ben Newell was admitted to OHSU hospital in Portland last Thursday afternoon for a large buildup of fluids in his lungs and liver. He was diagnosed several years ago with familial dilated cardiomyopathy and had a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted. He has the same hereditary heart problem that John's mother and our youngest son David had, and John also has.

Ben has been struggling with his breathing since before Christmas and despite additional doses of diuretics he wasn't improving. The doctors did an echo cardiogram on Friday and found his heart function was down to 18-22%. When a heart gets near the 15% mark the options get slim and often a heart transplant is the only remedy. This coming Tuesday they plan on doing a right heart catherization to measure the interior heart pressures. Due to Ben's breathing difficulty it makes it hard for him to talk and it tires him out so much that we were asked to limit phone calls and visits to his room.

Please pray that the fluid levels will be reduced and that his heart will improve. Also be praying for wisdom for the doctors that they will be able to find the right balance of medicines to improve Ben's hearts ability to squeeze. Also pray for Ben's wife Meaghan as she stays by his side during this difficult time. Once again we are "casting all our cares on Him (Jesus)" trusting in the wisdom of the Great Physician.

We will try to keep you updated with emails as we have more information.


Resting In God's Grace,

John & Ethel Newell