Jamie will appreciate this blog because he says my postings are way too long. I am exhausted and it's late again so this will be brief. bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb That was Brayden pushing the "B" for his name.
Getting to the point! Ava is doing fairly well. They needed to put a drainage tube back in her chest because of the fluid build up around her left lung. This was restricting it from expanding to make good deep breaths and this was interfering with her C-PAP (little face mask providing oxygen). They thought she would probably have to go back on the ventilator/breathing tube because she was struggling. They also thought that the sedation she was given would slow everything down so that she would need more assistance to breathe. They even went as far as to push the ventilator back into the room incase it was needed. This would have been a huge step backwards for her but we knew we could try extubating again in a few days.
Well, little Ava showed her strength once again. As soon as the fluid was drained from her chest and she could expand her lungs better, things started to improve. Her blood gases improved and she is still extubated HOORAY! The C-PAP is the most support that she can receive while off the ventilator and that will be weaned slowly until she has just a small nose tube for oxygen with less pressure needed. Who knows how long this will take. As you all know, Ava does things in her own good time. We are praying for a good night and that she can continue progressing off of the ventilator.
It was so nice to see Dad, Fran, Gram, and Becca and Taner today. I love to show Ava and her progress off to people!
Brayden had a rough day from the time he woke up about going back home with out us. This is the first time that has happened. We kept him here with us because we thought he needed us right now (and of course we need him too)!
For those of you that are joining me in praying for Candice and her baby girl, thanks. Her daughter is doing well. She is getting more comfortable with Jamie and I and has asked for a few small favors. She also went to dinner with us last night and laughed quite a few times at Brayden. I am happy to be here for her!
Okay, so I guess Jamie is right. I do get rather winded in my summary of the day. Thanks for listening and for your prayers!
Tuesday, October 16, 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)
13 comments:
Way to go Ava! So glad to hear of the progress! Thanks for the update.
Your little girl is a fighter! And you are right it's going to take "baby steps". Glad to hear things are going better. As far as no T.V. well, thank god girl Jamie doesn't have to deal with the channel flipping!! Ha-ha We (mom & I) would like to bring Granny up to see you all but, we have been under the weather so, we will have to wait a little longer. Remember you are not in this alone, we are ALL praying for your little angel.
Love, Chelie
Jamie,
Don't apologize for giving us the long version of Ava's ups and downs. We care about all of you and need to be informed, and however much we look forward to Jamies updates, we can't get by on she didn't go backwards:-) Nothing personal Jamie, your updates are just as important and we love 'em, but you guys are a team!! I think Brayden knows you guys need him as much as he needs you and wanted to be there close to his baby sister, mom and dad. Your stronger together!!
Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jamie.
I am glad to hear that Ava is doing better. I have been reading your blogs everyday. Sorry it took so long for me to leave you guys a comment i wasn't sure what to say but i wanted to let you know that i have been praying for Ava every night. So keep your head up. Stay strong.
Love,
Stephanie
This note is for Ava. The Weaver/Zimmerman family have been waiting a long time for you to come into our family. We have 4 beautiful,smart, loving boys in our family, but not, until now, a beautiful girl!!!! Ava, as you will find out, you have the best mom, dad and brother that any family could ever hope for. They will love and care for you all of their life. Little miss Ava Christine, we all are so proud and happy that you are here now. You are everything we hoped for and wanted in a beautiful little girl. I was blessed enough to be one of the first ones to hold you in our family. That has made me feel pretty darn special. For I know that God has brought you into our lives for a wonderful reason. I just cannot wait to hold you again. I came and saw you yesterday. You held on to my finger so tight! You are one strong little cookie!!!!!! You were looking right at me and listening to me jabber. You looked at me just like the other wonderful grandkids look at. If I could have read your little mind, it said I was funny looking!ha You have 8 cousins. We have a blended family. And all of them will and do love you with all of their hearts. Ava, you are so blessed. You have come into this family with more love for you that anyone could hope for. I am your granny little Ava. Your poppy and I will spoil you rotten!!!!!! I know your mom will get onto me sometimes. But grannys love to spoil their beautiful grandchildren. I suppose I best go for now. I really was not sure what I would write to you. Mainly, I just want you to know how happy you have made all of us to have you here. We love you Ava Christine with all of our hearts. Granny and Poppy
Jamie, Jamie, Bray & Ava -
I'm so glad to read about the continuing progress Ava is making. It's amazing to me what you are each capapble of - you are all so strong - especially tiny Ava. We will keep praying!
Emily & Randy
Jamie,
You are doing such an amazing job with this website for Ava. I do not think you are writing too much at all (Now, my Mom's post is pretty long. Ha! Ha!). You are so articulate with describing everything that is happening in your day. Ava will be able to look back on this someday, and see how many people she has that care for her and your family. It is truly amazing. We want you to know that we are thinking of and praying for Ava every day. Hannah, Meg, and Luke have been praying for her in their classrooms every day at school, and Hannah checks your website every chance she can get. We are also praying for you, Jamie, and Braydon to stay strong through these stressful times. The pictures of Ava are so pretty, and we can not wait to meet her.
Love,
Laura, Shannon, Hannah, Luke, & Meg
Jamie,
I cant wait to meet her shes so pretty. And I love how you guys did this website it help all of us to find out facts. I hope she gets better and gets out of there soon!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE,
HANNAH RICE
Oh my gosh! Jamie and Jamie--I am so sorry we missed you today but I saw the most beautiful baby in the world today! Even with her tube in her mouth you could see such sweet lips, gorgeous coloring, that dark, dark hair. She is just perfect. And what a place that U of M is. They are so protective of the little ones and seem to care so much about each tiny baby.
I stared at Ava as she slept and her breathing calmed my soul as I headed to MY U of M doctor. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. The power of the baby girl got me through a rough day. She is so strong and such an inspiration.
Give her hugs and kisses and lots of thank yous for blessing ME with her spirit!
Molly
We love hearing all about it. Your Howard-Ellis family is thinking about all you constantly and send out love and best wishes. More importantly...lots of prayers and good thoughts!
So, so good to read, every day, about Ava's progress...I truly can't go to bed without first checking on how you're all doing! Funny, but even when you're not in my conscious thoughts, you're on my mind - I pulled out your recipe for "Pumpkin Stuff" dessert yesterday, baked it, and then wished you were closer so I could share...it's a promise that I'll make one (and deliver) as soon as you're all home, safe and sound! Love to sweet Ava and her great big brother Brayden! Take care, Gretchen
Ava sure is amazing!
P.S. We love your long blogs. It helps us feel more in touch.
Boy Jamie & Girl Jamie,
So happy to here Ava is doing so much better! The picture of big brother holding her hand was just precious.
I think of you every day and you're always in my prayers.
Big hug to Brayden for me.
Love you lots,
Aunt Stace
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