The next couple of days…
In support of
Ethan del Puerto
View Support Registry
Ethan del Puerto
Hi everyone! This will likely be my last update on Facebook. There’s a support page for Ethan that I’ll link and will try to provide updates there moving forward. Feel free to just check there for updates- no obligation at all to do more. Your prayers are more than enough!! 🫶🏽
The day after surgery started out a little rough for me emotionally. I think the lack of sleep from the day leading up to it finally caught up with me.
…and the day before was a difficult day for Ethan. His nerve block wore off, and unfortunately it wasn’t replaced before it emptied so because of that, the pain was able to break through, and when it hit… it hit hard. His pain quickly escalated to a 10/10, and it took some time to get it back under control. That was tough to watch.
Thankfully, once the new nerve block was placed and his pain medications were adjusted, he was finally able to get some relief.
As we move into this next phase of healing, I’ll probably update everyone every couple of days instead of daily. Right now, a lot of this is waiting, watching, and praying as his free flap continues to heal.
Here are the biggest things we’re praying for:
🤍 That the free flap continues to thrive that every tiny artery and blood vessel continues to connect, grow, and provide healthy blood flow.
🤍 Complete restoration of function in Ethan’s left arm, hand, fingers, and thumb. Right now we simply don’t know what his long term function will be. Until he’s cleared to begin physical and occupational therapy and the swelling comes down, so much remains unknown. So we keep choosing faith over fear!!!! We’re believing in miracles wrapped up with a bow that has Ethan’s name on it.
🤍 Monday will be another big milestone. His facial bandages are scheduled to come off, and we’re praying for beautiful healing underneath. We’re praying the wounds continue to heal quickly, cleanly, and without infection. We’re praying for healthy new skin, minimal scarring, and that what Ethan sees in the mirror won’t add another layer of trauma to everything he’s already endured.
If anyone has experience with facial wound healing, scar management, pediatric burn or road rash recovery, or recommendations for treatments that helped achieve the best cosmetic outcome, I’d truly love to hear from you. I know there will be different stages of healing, and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we possibly can.
Another prayer request that has become increasingly heavy…
🤍Ethan has slowly started asking Benjie and me questions about school specifically marching band.
This one honestly hurts almost as much as seeing his physical injuries.
He’s dreamed about his freshman year and marching band for what feels like his whole life. It’s one of those milestones you picture as a parent… and now that picture has changed. Maybe only temporarily. Maybe permanently. We just don’t know yet.
But what I do know is this…
He only gets one first day of high school.
One freshman orientation.
One band lock-in.
One first Friday Night Lights.
Those are losses that he’s grieving and it breaks my heart.
🤍So please pray not only for his physical healing, but for his heart. Pray that God protects him from discouragement, reminds him that his story isn’t over, and helps him trust that even if this chapter looks different than he imagined, the Author is still writing something beautiful.
I also want to say thank you.
To everyone of my healthcare friends who have reached out with advice, encouragement, or wisdom… thank you. Please keep it coming. I don’t know what I don’t know, and I genuinely appreciate learning so I can ask thoughtful questions and advocate well for Ethan.
Several of Ethan’s doctors and nurses have actually asked if I’m in healthcare because of the questions I’ve been asking. One of them even joked that I should come join them.
No… I’m just a momma with a whole lot of questions who advocates hard for her baby.
The truth is, I am completely in awe of these incredible men and women. Their knowledge, skill, compassion, and dedication have been nothing short of amazing. They are caring for my greatest treasure, and I will never be able to thank them enough.
To every person who has donated…
Every meal that has shown up…
Every sweet treat…
Every gift…
Every playdate you’ve arranged for Caleb and Syd…
Every offer to sit with us, pray with us, cry with us, or simply be there…
Thank you.
To everyone who has shared your own stories, your prayers, your texts, your Scriptures, and your hope…
Thank you.
Momma and Daddy… thank you.
Jody, Natalie, Caleb, Syd… thank you.
And above all…
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, God.
Thank You, Holy Spirit.
We know You are here.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” — Isaiah 43:2
He never promised we would avoid hardship.
He promised He would walk through it with us.
And He has never left Ethan’s side.
Picture:
(Ethan’s second surgery with him holding the cross his Granny gave him)
#EthanTheBrave💙
The day after surgery started out a little rough for me emotionally. I think the lack of sleep from the day leading up to it finally caught up with me.
…and the day before was a difficult day for Ethan. His nerve block wore off, and unfortunately it wasn’t replaced before it emptied so because of that, the pain was able to break through, and when it hit… it hit hard. His pain quickly escalated to a 10/10, and it took some time to get it back under control. That was tough to watch.
Thankfully, once the new nerve block was placed and his pain medications were adjusted, he was finally able to get some relief.
As we move into this next phase of healing, I’ll probably update everyone every couple of days instead of daily. Right now, a lot of this is waiting, watching, and praying as his free flap continues to heal.
Here are the biggest things we’re praying for:
🤍 That the free flap continues to thrive that every tiny artery and blood vessel continues to connect, grow, and provide healthy blood flow.
🤍 Complete restoration of function in Ethan’s left arm, hand, fingers, and thumb. Right now we simply don’t know what his long term function will be. Until he’s cleared to begin physical and occupational therapy and the swelling comes down, so much remains unknown. So we keep choosing faith over fear!!!! We’re believing in miracles wrapped up with a bow that has Ethan’s name on it.
🤍 Monday will be another big milestone. His facial bandages are scheduled to come off, and we’re praying for beautiful healing underneath. We’re praying the wounds continue to heal quickly, cleanly, and without infection. We’re praying for healthy new skin, minimal scarring, and that what Ethan sees in the mirror won’t add another layer of trauma to everything he’s already endured.
If anyone has experience with facial wound healing, scar management, pediatric burn or road rash recovery, or recommendations for treatments that helped achieve the best cosmetic outcome, I’d truly love to hear from you. I know there will be different stages of healing, and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we possibly can.
Another prayer request that has become increasingly heavy…
🤍Ethan has slowly started asking Benjie and me questions about school specifically marching band.
This one honestly hurts almost as much as seeing his physical injuries.
He’s dreamed about his freshman year and marching band for what feels like his whole life. It’s one of those milestones you picture as a parent… and now that picture has changed. Maybe only temporarily. Maybe permanently. We just don’t know yet.
But what I do know is this…
He only gets one first day of high school.
One freshman orientation.
One band lock-in.
One first Friday Night Lights.
Those are losses that he’s grieving and it breaks my heart.
🤍So please pray not only for his physical healing, but for his heart. Pray that God protects him from discouragement, reminds him that his story isn’t over, and helps him trust that even if this chapter looks different than he imagined, the Author is still writing something beautiful.
I also want to say thank you.
To everyone of my healthcare friends who have reached out with advice, encouragement, or wisdom… thank you. Please keep it coming. I don’t know what I don’t know, and I genuinely appreciate learning so I can ask thoughtful questions and advocate well for Ethan.
Several of Ethan’s doctors and nurses have actually asked if I’m in healthcare because of the questions I’ve been asking. One of them even joked that I should come join them.
No… I’m just a momma with a whole lot of questions who advocates hard for her baby.
The truth is, I am completely in awe of these incredible men and women. Their knowledge, skill, compassion, and dedication have been nothing short of amazing. They are caring for my greatest treasure, and I will never be able to thank them enough.
To every person who has donated…
Every meal that has shown up…
Every sweet treat…
Every gift…
Every playdate you’ve arranged for Caleb and Syd…
Every offer to sit with us, pray with us, cry with us, or simply be there…
Thank you.
To everyone who has shared your own stories, your prayers, your texts, your Scriptures, and your hope…
Thank you.
Momma and Daddy… thank you.
Jody, Natalie, Caleb, Syd… thank you.
And above all…
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, God.
Thank You, Holy Spirit.
We know You are here.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” — Isaiah 43:2
He never promised we would avoid hardship.
He promised He would walk through it with us.
And He has never left Ethan’s side.
Picture:
(Ethan’s second surgery with him holding the cross his Granny gave him)
#EthanTheBrave💙
Comments
Julie M 10 days ago
Carrie Cummings 10 days ago