Jamie, this post is for you. Ava WILL get through this!! It may not be the easiest road for us but it's at least a road and I truly believe that. I believe it as much as I knew she was a girl. Do you remember when you first got pregnant with her? I told you then that is was going to be a girl and I'm telling you now that she will get through this, that's how much I believe it.
She doesn't have a chance not to. Her big brothers friends haven't even had a chance to see her. How are they going to be making passes at her if they can't see her? I haven't even gotton a chance to take her to a school dance? And by the way when she does grow up, Brayden will be taking her to prom but I we can talk about that when the time comes.
Anyways Jamie I love You!! Thank you for so much. I never would have thought that two girls (you and Ava) would show ME what courage is. I didn't EVER think that you would be stronger than me, but you are. I look up to you everyday even when we are not here. I know you really don't believe it but you make our house a home, and I can't wait until the four of us can get back to that point.
Thank You Jamie for everything. I honestly can't say it enough but Thank you and I love you. Thank you for my two beautiful children. I can't wait to show them off when we get home.
Thursday, November 15, 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
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November
(21)
- ECHO results
- 8 Pounds Yet?
- "Status Quo"
- Just an Update
- Happy Thanksgiving from Aunt Trace
- U of M Report
- What will the future hold?
- Jamie, this post is for you. Ava WILL get through ...
- Jamie wanted me to blog something, but her last bl...
- Broken Hearted
- Not Quite Ready to Leave ICU
- Not Even A "Whiff"
- Team Meeting
- Finally Some Good News!
- Watching and Waiting
- Quick Update
- 3rd Time is a Charm?
- For Mommy & Daddy
- Rough Times at U of M
- To good to be true
- Out of ICU!
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November
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22 comments:
Look at that BEAUTIFUL hair Ava(you dont want to look like justin now do ya?)!
Just incase your wondering the lasy comment was from Nicholas Zimmerman...
Your little angel is BEAUTIFUL!!! We continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you all...The Brentlingers
Boy Jamie-
What a sweet message you left for your wife. Thank you for sharing that with us. Your entire family has taught all of us so much.
Love, M
Jamie,
This entry is sweeter than any romance, mushy, gushy love story I have ever read. God love you guys. You are what family and love is all about. Ava just has to pull through so that she can fully experience this love.
Emilee
Boy Jamie,
You too, are full of courage and strength!!! You guys make a great couple. What a touching message. Thank you for taking such good care of our Jamie.
Thank you, also, for sharing your thoughts and beautiful family with us.
Love & Prayers,
Janelle
Boy Jamie,
You too, are full of courage and strength!!! You guys make a great couple. What a touching message. Thank you for taking such good care of our Jamie.
Thank you, also, for sharing your thoughts and beautiful family with us.
Love & Prayers,
Janelle
Boy Jamie, the first time I ever met you, I liked you! I met you in 1991. I thought you and Jamie were so cute together. I remember going to your house for graduation, hanging in your garage and meeting alot of your firends. And what wonderful friends you have. I think all of us thank you for being a wonderful son inlaw, husband to my step daughter, father of our 2 beautiful grandchildren, a wonderful caring person and I saw in the old days how much you loved Jamie. For girl Jamie is like her dad, that can be topsy turvy road!ha But they do make a nice home for us. I like others, thank you for sharing your heart at this tough time. I think you are helping us better than we can help you. We love you and Ava and Brayden could not have a better dad. I feel like you, Ava will come out of this. We all need her and she has changed our lives in such a short time. All of us will God Bless her next week for sure. But you and jamie have been through lots of trying times in your time together. I pray this is the last one. For I know this one is the toughest. Our love and prayers are with you so very much. I/we love all 4 of you. And Heather and Billy and the boys are your world also. Without them, i know this would be worse. Hang in there. And nomatter what the future holds, We will always have that beautiful dark haired blue eyed little version of Jamie, in our hearts and eyes and prayers. Keep the faith and keep writing. Its good for you. And for all of us. Give Ava a kiss goodnigjt and please tell her we love her so much. Plus do not forget awsome Brayden Lee. How can you not love that little squirt?! I want the pic of him and Ava.
Good night all of you. Please rest. I pray you have a good night. atleast you are together.
God Bless and Sweet Dreams
granny and poppy
Boy Jamie.... Thanks for sharing your emotions. I must admit, having known you in your wild and crazy irresponsible teen years, your transformation to a loving responsible husband and father is inspirational. You are a role model for the masculine gender on the true meaning of being a husband and father. Jamie, Brayden and Ava are so lucky to have a man like you in their lives. The love you all share will get you through.....
Continued prayers from all the Timms
Your BEAUTIFUL baby girl is a fighter - she has been from the start and she will not stop now. She will amaze you and everyone's life that she has touched. We all thank you for the daily updates, we know it is an extremely hard time for your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers throughout each day. Please remember that. We will all keep praying and bless you all.
Ginger Andres
Thanks Uncle Mame for making me cry so early in the morning! I agree with Linda Timm, who knew the crazy boy 15 years ago could have written such a beautiful, loving message to his wife and daughter. You are a wife's fantasy...(did I say that??) Sorry Jamie! Love to all of you.
Theresa
Good morning Ms. Ava! I hope you had a nother good night. Remember, we love you. Help keep your mom and dads chin up. Jamie and jamie, hang in there guys. Ava is so very special. This has to be ok. Hugs and kisses to all 4 of you.
God Bless you and Im still praying. Sandy from Petes patio sent her love and prayers. Merry kay sent her love and prayers and Sis from Petes Patio is going to light candles at her church and have them all say prayers to Ava. I never knew how many wonderful friends we have out there. Keep those prayers coming. Thank you
love
granny and poppy
Hello Ms. Ava. Wanted to let you know that I got your stocking in the mail today!!!!! You are number 10, and because that is a special number and you are a special little girl, your stocking is white cuff, and ava is written on cuff, stocking part is red. I was so excited to get this today. granny was taking xmas things out, and feeling a little blue because all of us are worried about you! and anyway, your stocking made me smile. Thank God for small favors. You are always in our thoughts and prayers Ms. Ava!!!!! Our hearts every second of day.
check in later
Stay tough, tough little cookie of ours
love to all
granny and poppy
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Weaver/Zimmerman family. Your precious little Ava is so beautiful and by the most recent pictures of her she looks so healthy. She just doesn't look like she is going to let anything get her down! Stay strong and again we are thinking/praying for ALL of you. Love the Barkmans :)
Good morning Ava. I talked to your cousin Nicholas this morning and I have to tell you and him that I am sorry, he did not spell your name wrong. Nickle told me it is your name shortened. So I'm sorry Nicholas James!Ha! (I crack me up sometimes-a joke between Nickle and I). Anyway-I hope all is well this morning with all of you. Ava, tell your big brother Brayden that we love him and will see him in a few days!!!!!!!
Do well today Ms. Ava!!!!!!!!!
we love you
granny and poppy
Hi--I really don't have anything new to say except we are still thinking about you almost minute by minute and I am hoping you are enjoying little Ava as she continues to get to know you and you her. I want to hide in Heather's suitcase to see another glimpse of her...and maybe to catch one of those smiles that Heather keeps telling me about.
Stay positive, cry when you need to, love each other, and don't forget that there are hundreds of us out here praying all the time for you and yours.
Molly
Hello ava, Brayden, jamie and Jamie. Just checking in. Worried about all of you. Thinking about all of you. Praying for all of you. This is a time when we all come together, and love Ava Christine Zimmerman, no matter what is going on in our lives, and thank God for what blessings he will give us. We all know ava is a BLESSING. At this time, all of us should come together and only think of Ava, Bray, Jamie and Jamie. Please God, take care of them. Will say goodnight later, and just worried about you.
love always
granny and poppy
It is Sunday morning sweet Ava. No news is good news I pray. I bet your mom and dad and big brother Bray, are having such a nice time holding and loving you! I want to put bows in your hair. Well little one, your Great Gram is on her way here. I best go. Remember that all of us love you and all of your family. Hang tough little cookie.
love you and still saying prayers
granny and poppy
Thank you jamie and jamie for letting us be a part of your personal journey. I'm so touched by each and every blog, especially those special notes from boy jamie. Hold onto your faith in each other and everything else will fall in place. erin
Jamie,
Brayden and I miss you and love you. It's just not the same without you and Ava to say goodnight to. Thank you for taking care of our little girl. We will be back up there as soon as we can. Abby and Zeke are still waiting for you to come through the door. Boy won't they be in for a surprise when two girls walk through. Do you remember when we went to get her? Some how we came back with 2 dogs. I don't know if was Nicholas or you that convinced me but I'm glad we did now so when we come home as a family, it will be balanced out. Sleep good and call me tomorrow. Give Ava kisses for us. By the way I forgot to tell you. My dad normally goes to church once a year (I know it's weird) but for some reason he went this morning for Ava. So if my dad does that, then everything will be OK. I Love You.
Good night sweet ava. and jamie. Both of our girls sleep well and have a good morning tomorrow. We love you very much. Im glad Bray and b.jamie are home safe with abbie and Zeke. But I do wish they were with you. Even the dogs!
Sweet dreams and lots of prayers.
Goodnight sweet ones and may God watch over you both
granny and poppy
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