Ava is doing fine. They did find some bacteria on her cultures and are diagnosing her with pneumonia. They will treat the infection for 14 days with antibiotics. They are also putting her back on Lasix (a diuretic to make her urinate). This will help get the fluid off. Once the infection is taken care of and some of the fluid has been taken off (which is also making her lungs "wet" and restricting their function) they will try to wean her ventilator settings. Then they will try to extubate her again. They are in no hurry but are simply waiting until she has recovered and the time is right. They do not want another failed attempt (nore do we!)
I love my husband dearly but he seriously needs to proofread before he posts a blog! As he mentioned, Brayden is also sick. I have been trying to be back and forth all day to be there for both of my sick kids. There just is not enough of me to go around! His temperature this evening was not as high and we are hoping it's just a cold. However, I'll try to get him to a doctor here in the area if he still has a fever tomorrow. They say God only gives you what you can handle. I say God has a little too much faith in me!
Thank you, Jenny for dinner and Brayden's gifts. I am so glad you'll be here with me next week when Jamie attempts to go home again! Thank you Gretchen for the card you sent and the Pizza Hut gift card which Jamie and Brayden will use next week. Happy Birthday to Dan Podjan (my stepdad) today!
Praying for our two sick children to get better! Also, still keeping Jason Steven and Troy Meek's family in our prayers. We are wishing both of you health and healing.
Friday, October 26, 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)
7 comments:
Jamie,
I think God knows what he is doing. You are one of the strongest people I know. I do wish he would easy up on you a bit though!
I love your old students' messages to you. It is so sweet to hear how many lives you have touched.
None of us care about Boy Jamie's proofreading errors. We just love to hear from you guys.
We will conutinue to pray for you all this weekend. God bless all those doctors and nurses who are smart enough to know how to take care of your sweet little Ava.
Love,
Emilee
Jamie,
Hope Brayden and Jamie are feeling better. It's got to be hard for them not to come see Ava. Jason finally had his surgery yesterday and they were able to do it laproscopic. He has an infection, but as soon as it clears, he can go home today or tomorrow. He told me before his surgery if they were able to do it the easy way, he can be at your house next weekend. He is bound and determined to get back to those dogs. We'll see as the week goes on. Give Ava a kiss for us. Continue to stay strong (and healthy!). God does only give you what you can handle even though it doesn't seem like it. Like Emilee said, I hope he eases up on you.
Love,
Sara, Mark & Zack
Good morning sweet Ava!!!!! I am so happy to hear you are doing good right now. Jamie, I never proofread either as I am sure you can tell!ha All of us out here love hearing from either one of you. We need your input because you explain in more detail, and we need boy Jamies input because it is so natural and gives us all a smile. So do not change anything from either of you. When I see what all you are going thru right now, I want to cry and ask God "why?". But they say he knows what he is doing. You are strong, but dont be too strong. Always ask for help or just sit down and have a good cry! I promise all of us will take care of B.Jamie and Bray. But you need to promise to take care of yourself also. Dan is here right now cleaning my carpet. I told him you said happy birthday. he gave a big smile!Tell Jenny I am so happy she is there for you. Your dad said we can both come Tuesday. But I will come even if he doesnt. Just let me know. I will be there one day either way. I plan on coming once a week atleast. Maybe pretty soon Ava will love her granny Fran like I feel Bray does. I care and love all of you. I will check post again tonight. Please give my love to both of your beautiful children. I will be taking avas pearl to the jeweler soon. Have a nice rest today Ava Christine!!!
love you
granny and poppy
ps if Becca reads this I have Nates bracelet
Jamie,
I was thinking today as I was getting ready for school about what a strong person you are. I know you have faced and overcome every challenge that came your way.
With energy, and love, and persistence. You have touched so many lives. Know now that you are surrounded by prayers and Ava is lifted up constantly by so many people who love you and your family.
Love,
Karen
Hi this is Evan again. I'm glad to hear Ava is doing okay but sorry that she has pnemonia or however you spell it. Mrs. Lake is right you are one of the strongest people I know. And I know you WILL get through this. I've been praying and praying everynight and day that everything will go okay and I hope my prayers will be answeredd along with other people's prayers and especially your's and your family's. I will continue to pray for you everyday and night. I LOVE YA'LL SO MUCH!! Hope to see you soon teach.
Love Always,
Evan McLaughlin
Jamie,
You all continue to be in our prayers. I pray the antibiotics get rid of Ava's infection so her body can focus on getting well! I hope that Jamie and Bray are feeling better. Thank you for the prayers for our family. Troy is recovery well from his surgery. We are going to IU next friday for a consultation.
Take care,
April
Mrs. Zimmerman,
My family and I are praying that Ava gets better. Hannah Davis and i are talking about you. I hope all the medicine works on Ava. Ava is soooo pretty. I can't wait to meet her!!! Stay strong.
Love, 3rd grader Caitin Barkman :)
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