Just a quick update because things have been incredibly busy. Ava is doing well. She was extubated today and her sats and blood gases are looking great. She is not even on C-PAP this time. They put her right on the high flow cannula. Please just pray that she does well through the night and over the next few days so we can stay off the ventilator.
My boys went home yesterday and it was very difficult. If Ava can be tough, so can I. I miss them tremendously. I will see Brayden tomorrow as I am going home for a few hours for Brayden's preschool Halloween party. Then I will turn right back around and come back to Ann Arbor. I will be nervous to leave but need to go enjoy a fun day with Brayden. He is looking forward to it. My dad and Fran will stay here at the hospital with Ava and she will have her primary nurse, Cheryl. This makes me feel much more secure about leaving. I know I can call whenever I need to for an update.
My wonderful girlfriends, Jenny and Robyn came last night and stayed with me. They are staying again tonight too. They have been cleaning for me, cooking for me, doing laundry, etc. But most of all they have given me company and support during a tough time. Thanks so much girls! I love you guys!
I owe so many other people "thank yous" but will have to do it tomorrow because I'm anxious to get back to see Ava. I also need to get to bed early because I need to be on the road by 5:30 a.m.tomorrow. Happy Birthday Tracy! Thanks everyone for all of your love, support and prayers!
Monday, October 29, 2007
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Ava with Mommy & Daddy
Isn't she beautiful!
It's A Girl!
Hello everyone and welcome to Ava Christine's Blog.
First a little info about the new edition to our family.
This beautiful little girl comes to our family after many years of trying on her parents part as well as her being the first girl in 19 years. Yes 19 years! So to say that she is going to be a little spoiled is putting it very lightly.
Ava Christine was welcomed into this world on September 29 2007 by her mommy Jamie, Daddy Jamie, big brother Brayden, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends. Shortly after Ava's arrival the wonderful medical staff at Memorial hospital of South Bend found what they called a murmur in Ava's heart. After some testing little Ava was transported to Motts' Children Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jamie and Jamie were informed that little Ava has a heart defect that could be life threatening and that she needed to undergo open heart surgery to fix the defects. So, on Tuesday October 2 2007 Ava was operated on by the wonderful medical staff at the U of M. What this team of doctors did to Ava is incredible. First of all Jamie explained to me over the phone today just what problems Ava's heart has endured. Ava's heart has a couple of different problems. The first is known as Interrupted Aortic Arch. The following info about interrupted aortic arch is best explained by the U of M Cardiac website, "Interrupted aortic arch is a very rare heart defect that occurs when the aorta does not develop normally while the baby is in the mother’s womb. It comprises about 1% of all congenital heart defects. It usually occurs along with other heart problems such as truncus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the great arteries, and aortic stenosis.The aorta is the large blood vessel that arises from the left side of the normal heart and takes red blood out to the body. The first part of the aorta, called the ascending aorta (1) arises upwards. It then curves leftward forming the aortic arch (2). The aorta then curves downward towards the lower body, and this part is called the descending aorta (3). Three blood vessels exit from the aortic arch and supply the head and arms with red blood. These vessels are called the innominate artery (4), the left carotid artery (5), and the left subclavian artery (6).In babies with interrupted aortic arch, there is a complete blockage between the ascending and the descending aorta (1). This means that there is no direct way for red blood leaving the heart to reach the body parts that are "downstream" from the blockage. The site of the defect varies (2) and may or may not involve the take-off of the head and neck vessels. In most babies with interrupted aortic arch (70-90%) there is also a large ventricular septal defect (3).In newborns with interrupted aortic arch, the only way for blood to bypass the blockage is via the patent ductus arteriosus (4). Prior to birth, this small blood vessel permits blood to by-pass the baby’s fluid-filled lungs. One or two days after birth, this vessel usually closes on its own. In a baby with interrupted aortic arch, if the duct closes, blood can no longer reach the lower body. This can cause the baby to suddenly become very ill. Therefore, after the diagnosis is made, a medicine called prostaglandin is used to keep the ductus arteriosus open until surgery". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
So how did the doctors fix this? "Interrupted aortic arch is a serious heart defect that requires surgery soon after birth. The goal of surgery is to create remove the blockage. This used to be done in a two-stage operation but is now done most of the time in one stage. The two ends of the aorta are sewn together (1) and the patent ductus arterious (2) is tied off. Sometimes a patch is needed to reinforce the repair. If present, a patch is sewn over the VSD (3)". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
In #1 of the picture below is the part of Ava' heart that was repaired.
First a little info about the new edition to our family.
This beautiful little girl comes to our family after many years of trying on her parents part as well as her being the first girl in 19 years. Yes 19 years! So to say that she is going to be a little spoiled is putting it very lightly.
Ava Christine was welcomed into this world on September 29 2007 by her mommy Jamie, Daddy Jamie, big brother Brayden, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends. Shortly after Ava's arrival the wonderful medical staff at Memorial hospital of South Bend found what they called a murmur in Ava's heart. After some testing little Ava was transported to Motts' Children Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jamie and Jamie were informed that little Ava has a heart defect that could be life threatening and that she needed to undergo open heart surgery to fix the defects. So, on Tuesday October 2 2007 Ava was operated on by the wonderful medical staff at the U of M. What this team of doctors did to Ava is incredible. First of all Jamie explained to me over the phone today just what problems Ava's heart has endured. Ava's heart has a couple of different problems. The first is known as Interrupted Aortic Arch. The following info about interrupted aortic arch is best explained by the U of M Cardiac website, "Interrupted aortic arch is a very rare heart defect that occurs when the aorta does not develop normally while the baby is in the mother’s womb. It comprises about 1% of all congenital heart defects. It usually occurs along with other heart problems such as truncus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the great arteries, and aortic stenosis.The aorta is the large blood vessel that arises from the left side of the normal heart and takes red blood out to the body. The first part of the aorta, called the ascending aorta (1) arises upwards. It then curves leftward forming the aortic arch (2). The aorta then curves downward towards the lower body, and this part is called the descending aorta (3). Three blood vessels exit from the aortic arch and supply the head and arms with red blood. These vessels are called the innominate artery (4), the left carotid artery (5), and the left subclavian artery (6).In babies with interrupted aortic arch, there is a complete blockage between the ascending and the descending aorta (1). This means that there is no direct way for red blood leaving the heart to reach the body parts that are "downstream" from the blockage. The site of the defect varies (2) and may or may not involve the take-off of the head and neck vessels. In most babies with interrupted aortic arch (70-90%) there is also a large ventricular septal defect (3).In newborns with interrupted aortic arch, the only way for blood to bypass the blockage is via the patent ductus arteriosus (4). Prior to birth, this small blood vessel permits blood to by-pass the baby’s fluid-filled lungs. One or two days after birth, this vessel usually closes on its own. In a baby with interrupted aortic arch, if the duct closes, blood can no longer reach the lower body. This can cause the baby to suddenly become very ill. Therefore, after the diagnosis is made, a medicine called prostaglandin is used to keep the ductus arteriosus open until surgery". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
So how did the doctors fix this? "Interrupted aortic arch is a serious heart defect that requires surgery soon after birth. The goal of surgery is to create remove the blockage. This used to be done in a two-stage operation but is now done most of the time in one stage. The two ends of the aorta are sewn together (1) and the patent ductus arterious (2) is tied off. Sometimes a patch is needed to reinforce the repair. If present, a patch is sewn over the VSD (3)". (http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/mchc/parint.htm)
In #1 of the picture below is the part of Ava' heart that was repaired.
Before surgery
The Next Step
The next step in repairing Ava's heart was to fix what is known as Truncus Arteriosus. Truncus arteriosus is "characterized by a large ventricular septal defect over which a large, single great vessel (truncus) arises. This single great vessel carries blood both to the body and to the lungs". (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11073) Below is a picture of what Ava's heart was like before surgery.
Before Surgery
After Surgery
The above picture shows what the surgeon did to repair Ava's heart. "Surgery is required to close the ventricular septal defect and separate blood flow to the body from blood flow to the lungs. This is generally done early in infancy to prevent high blood pressure from damaging the lungs' arteries. A patch is used to close the ventricular defect. The pulmonary arteries are then disconnected from the single great vessel and a tube (a conduit or tunnel) is placed from the right ventricle to these pulmonary arteries. This is sometimes called a Rastelli repair". (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11073)
Blog Archive
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2007
(67)
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October
(28)
- Turning a corner?
- Holding Tight!
- Extubated Again!
- Happy Birthday Ava!
- Quick Update
- sick day at Ronald McDonald's
- Life's Rainbows
- One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
- U-Turn on I94
- Last post from me
- Even More to Overcome!
- The End of C-PAP - Coming Soon???
- Cherishing Every Moment!
- In Her Own Good Time!
- Short and Sweet
- Another message from me
- Ava's on Viagra! What?
- A lot to be thankful for
- Ava's update
- Brayden's note to Ava
- MRI Results
- A different note
- Another Day of Progress for Ava!
- Courage is not always big and loud, sometimes it's...
- More to the roller coaster ride!
- Big Brother Brayden
- UPDATE.....Ava is slowly getting better!
- Trying to keep this up to date
-
▼
October
(28)
9 comments:
Jamie--What wonderful news! Little Miss Sassy Pants proves again what a fighter she is. I am glad you are able to go to Brayden's party--it will mean so much to both of you. Ava is in great hands at U of M but I am sure will be glad to hear your voice when you return.
I pray for you all every day and know that each day brings a little progress and abundant love. Our situations have given many people pause to love one another and be kind and good people. Enjoy your time tomorrow. Take care,
Molly
Jamie,
I am so glad that you have your friends to be there for you and that you are going to Bray's party tomorrow. I know it will mean so much to both of you. Have fun!
Good job, Ava on all the progress. So happy to hear the good news.
Drive carefully tomorrow. I bet it will be weird to be home. I can't believe it has been four weeks already! You all have been through so much! We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Emilee
Good morning ava! Poppy and I are getting ready to leave to see you. Thank God you are doing better. Keep up the fight little one. See you soon!
all our love
granny and poppy
Jamie-
What great news to read this morning!!
You won't read this until you get back, but I hope that you enjoyed Bray's party. I am sure he was happy to have his mommy there with him.
I think about you SO often.
Love, M
Jame,
I am so excited to hear of Ava's progress. I pray that her strength will only get stronger so she will be able to go home soon like Candais and Ke'Myiah! I'm happy Jen and Robyn stayed with you and that you get to be with bray at his halloween party!
I love you Jame. Give Ava kiss from me and hopefully I'll see you soon!
Lots of love,
Becca
Hi Jame!
Just a short note to thank you for the birthday greetings. I don't feel 40!
Anyway, I saw Bray today and he told me that his mommy went to his party and stayed the "whooole time!"
Give Ava big kisses from Aunt Trace and Uncle Mark!
Love U, Tracy
Ava christine- We just left you a few hours ago. I did not want to leave you at all! It was a very heartwarming, emotional day for me. I felt like you knew me. That you were glad someone you knew was there, but I could still tell, especially when you frowned, missed your mom!. You followed me all around looking. Then poppy came in and had to make your pretty hair neat and not stick under the tape. Oh boy, ava has a temper all of you out there! Poppy pulled her hair, and she let him know how she did not like that at all!ha ava looked the best ever today. Very alert!!!!!!! and-wanted to eat every 4 hours! or before is she could get away with it. But my Ava, you are doing so well. Keep up the fighter, little fighter!!!!! Thank you jamie for letting me be there when you couldnt. I felt very special and loved and I just know Ava will be fine and one unique little girl. Besides being a normal sassy pants!
good night, but I will check in before bed. For I want to see how rest of day went like all of us do.
love always
poppy and granny
The Zimmerman Family
We are so thanful that Ava is doing much better. She is definetly a fighter! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I really enjoy reading the updates on the family and Ava's progress.
Donnie & Robin told me to tell you Hello and your family is in their thoughts and prayers.
Sorry it took so long to write.
I have never posted to a blog before so it took me a while to figure it out. A couple of weeks ago Dale told me to write, but I could not figure it out. (Guess I should have asked one of my kids)
Take good care and continued progress.
Love and Prayers
Dale & Doreen
Jamie,
Just heard about your sweet Ava and your Blog. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I think my great-nephew Connor is in Brayden's preschool class. Parties at the Preschool always make you smile. The kids are so excited.
Drive carefully and know that one more family is cheering for Ava and your family.
Joyce Miller
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