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.
24 comments:
Prayers, Prayers and more Prayers are being sent your way and our thoughts are with you all as always........
Zimmerman's,
Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know how things went. We are praying so hard for you.
Love,
The Lake's
Zimms-
Right now there are no words that will bring you comfort, but want you to know that we are still praying. Please don't give up faith.
Love, M
Thank you for the update, we are all praying for you. Ava is in good hands.
The Daniels
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful little girl. When you look in her eyes she has such a wise soul. I know that she is meant for great things. Sometimes the best roads in the world start out a little bumpy.
We will not stop praying for your "little angel". Keep the faith.
brentlingers
I BELIEVE...My prayers and heart are with you. Mimi's Cookie, Suzanne
Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you, praying for you, and shedding tears with you. May you little fighter keep hanging tough.
The Meek's
We're sending extra prayers your way. Keep strong.
The Grishaber's
We too are so glad for the update, thank you. We send you hugs and prayers. Aunt Judy and Helmut
Keep goin girl
-Quinn
Continuing to keep you in our prayers.Please don't give up faith,,,Ava has proven many times how strong she is.
The Clutter Family
We are hoping and praying with all we've got. Sending our love and strength to you all.
Love,
T & Duffy
Jamie and Jamie, not a day goes by that I do not read little Ava's news. I pray and pray that all will be well. Please know that I admire your devotion and love for your children and if all children were so well cared-for, the world would be a wonderful place. Sending you tender thoughts and love, Liz Karlowicz
Dear zimmerman family,
You really are never out of mind or our prayers. I pray for healing and peace during your time of waiting.
Love, Karen
Zimmermans,
I don't have any words to take away your worry but know that we are continuing to pray for you all!
Love,
The Altergotts
Jamie & Jamie,
Thank you so much for the update. We know how hard that must be. It was hard for us to read. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. If we can do anything to make things easier for you, please let us know. We look forward to the day when we can meet our great niece and tell her ourselves what a remarkable girl we think she is. Keep the faith!
David and Cecil
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Ava. Keep strong and know there are many out there who love and care for you.
I love you with all my heart. Praying for you and your precious little girl, and thinking about you all the time. Love and hugs to Brayden.
Aunt Stace
Please Dear God. We do not ask alot of you. Or maybe sometimes we do. But right now, hear our prayers, hear them loud, please keep our Ava safe. All of us know she is special. So please let Ava be with us here. Keep her strong. Give Ava and her mom and dad strength. They need all you can muster. Amen
we love all of you so much. Please forgive us for having to come back home.
granny and poppy
Zimmerman family -
I am so sorry to hear how the day turned out. Our prayers are stronger than ever and will continue on. Please, please, please keep the faith. I know it is easier said than done. Rely on your family, that is what they are here for. You have a beautiful little angel who has so many people fighting with her and for her. Take care of yourselves and Bray and remember we are all pulling for Ava. Thoughts, love and prayers to you all.
Ginger and family
Tom and Paula Kazmierski
Zimmerman's,
Our hearts break for all the struggles your family has had to endure. Please know that there are so many prayers being said for little Ava. May God keep his hands and angels over little Ava and your family every minute of the day and keep you filled with faith and hope.
Casey and Sarah Gowen
I am so sorry to hear that all of you are going through this. Hold on to your faith and be strong for Ava. We are all behind you.
Much love & prayers,
The Baxter's
Your updates are more appreciated than you'll ever know. PRAYERS~They are coming from all directions, God Bless you all and give you strength. Love Amy A.
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