Friday, December 21, 2007
Critical
Ava is on life support to let her weak left ventricle rest. The ECMO machine is completely doing the work for her heart and lungs. Her heart went through so much from hours and hours of surgery. They took out the mechanical valve and put in a homo graft during the second surgery. Ava is puffy and looks awful. She is very "sick". They don't expect to see much from her today. If she is not starting to regain some pumping function from her left ventricle on her own by late Sunday, we will have to discuss our options. The next 72 hours are crucial for her. Please continue to pray!!!
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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)
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37 comments:
To our Lord Jesus Christ you
loved children so tenderly
and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death,
listen to us who are pleading for Ava. We thank God for the great gift of Ava
and ask Him to restore this child to health if such be His holy will. This favour, we beg of you
through your love for all children and mothers.
Amen.
Praying, praying, praying for Ava's little body to pull through and recover from the the two surgeries. You are all in our thoughts constantly. Thank you Tracy for the beautiful prayer.
The Meek's
I have been away from the computer for the past couple days but please know you have not been far from our thoughts or prayers. Ethan and I have both been saying special prayers for Ava. We are all praying for Ava's recovery and Christmas miracles to come your way.
Blessings & heart hugs,
Sandy,heart buddy Ethan(7,HLHS)and family
Each of you are in the thoughts and constant prayers of your Howard-Ellis Family.
Continually praying for your little fighter.
Sara
Lord please give us a Christmas miracle. All of our love and prayers from Florida.
Angie Hartsell Plude
We held a group prayer session for Ava after school tonight. You are in everyone one of our thoughts and prayers today.
Emilee
Ava and her family remain in our hearts and prayers.
Angie & Brad Williams
We all thinking and praying for you and your family. Sending strength your way.
Barb, Dana, and Heather Daniels
We love you all and through the power of the internet, Ava is now in a prayer circle world wide, from here to clear around the world in Australia, China, Indonesia, Europe, etc.
Blessings be--
Molly
Jamie and family-
I finally found your blog today and wow...my heart goes out to you guys and we're praying for Ava to recover. Jackson came out of surgery on ECMO...it can be good to let her heart rest and recover. We have been, and will be, thinking of you guys over the next couple days.
Paula and Patrick Leflar
(parents of Jackson-your former roommate in moderate care)
We are thinking of you and praying harder than ever for Ava. If anyone can do this Ava can!
Rob & Korrie Krueger
"Again, I tell you that if two of you agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by the Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am with them."
-Matthew 18:19
Jamie, your Howard family has come together this afternoon. We are praying for you and Ava.
Love, Janelle
Jamie,
Your Howard/Ellis family has been at such a loss as to how we can help you. Today, after school, we came together as your school family to ask that God give Ava the perfect health that only He can grant. Keep believing in the power of prayer.
Love,
Beth A.
I Love You dear girl. Keep fighting like you have done since the day you were born. Odds aren't the best but I'll take any odds I can get and I know you will too. All I want is for you to grow up and tell me that you love me. I know you can hear me and your mom when we sit next to you. We can tell by the way you hold our fingers ans stop sucking your tounge (just like your mom)when we talk to you. Right now nothing else matters except that you know we love you and the three of us need you to make our family complete. Stay strong baby girl
Daddy
Continue to believe that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine as we all continue to lift Ava up in prayer.
Vicki Kidwell
Iam praying continuously for Ava, she is such a fighter! I'm also praying for all of you and for a Christmas miracle.
-Kim Runyon
The boys and I just read your message. I am trying not to cry in front of them, what a nice message Daddy left for her.`We will continue to pray for all of you! She WILL continue to fight the odds and overcome them!
Much love & prayers!!!!
Carey, Lori, Ally, Caiden, Adison & Kendall
Sending lots of prayers your way! Our church family is keeping little Ava in prayer too. Waiting must be one of the hardest things in the world to do! Praying God's continued strength and PEACE to you. Ava is in good care at the hospital, but ultimately in the Great Physician's hands!!!
Still believing for Ava's complete healing!!
In Christ,
Holly
Christmas is a time for miracles. We are all praying for your precious family. God will keep you in his heart and by his side in these hard times. Never forget that everyone loves you and has you in their thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are praying for Ava that she come thru all this. God has a plan and we must continue to believe in his work.
Where there is great love, there are always miracles.
Praying for your family everyday and praying for healing for Ava, that her body is healed. May the prayers, love, and hope surrounding your family give you the strength you need during this time.
Chris and Dawn Schelkopf
Good Morning, Zimmermans-
Continuing to pray for Ava's strength and healing. She is and always has been in His hands.
Much love,
Jason, Michelle and Dane
I wanted to say something brilliant yesterday to ease some of the fear, the pain and the worry your feeling, even if just for a moment of peace for all of you, but no words can do that. Just know that you and your sweet, little Ava are never far from my thoughts and Prayers and Love continue to be sent your way in truckloads.....and Jamie, Ava may not be able to say she loves you out loud, ('YET'), but it is in her heart ALWAYS, and especially, each time she hears your voice or feels your touch, you are an amazing Dad, if your love alone was enough, Sweet Ava would be bouncing around and sharing with us her smiles from home and not have to endure any of this. Rest, Be Well, and Heal Sweet Ava!!
xox.......
Our hearts are heavy as we prayer for you all to have strength and courage. Its the season of Miracles, and thats exactly what sweet Ava is, A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!
God Speed AVA. We love you all and our prayers will continue.
Zimmerman family -
Your beautiful little Ava has overcome so much in such a little time. As we have said before, she is a true fighter. The prayers continue throughout the day. No words can comfot you, but please remember EVERYONE is fighting with you, praying with you and hoping with you. God will continue to hold Ava in his arms and see your family through this trying time. May God bless you all. We are all thinking of you.
Ginger and family
Tom and Paula Kazmierski
We are begging you Dear Lord. If ever you can hear our prayers, hear them now. Look at what Ava's dad wrote! She is loved so much and needed even more. Please do not take Ava away. I/we understand you need the special ones for angels. But we want Ava to be our angel right here for a very long time. Please listen to us. We beg of you. Ava Christine Zimmerman, I will not stop praying for you. I got to take care of that beautiful brother of yours, and overnight too! I cant wait for the day that I can take care of you also. Sleep tight and get rest baby girl. Please dont give up. Jamie and Jamie, you have our love. And Bray was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!
Granny and poppy PS B. Jamie-Ava is so lucky to have your love. And jamie and Bray.
God is with your family, and especially Ava, at all times. We continue to pray that He will show us his strength and heal Ava. We love you all and send our prayers.
Fritz, Juli, Fritzel, and Mitchell
Good Morning-
Even though you are far away, you are all so close in our hearts right now.
Love,
The Asmus'
Zimmermans,
I am keeping you and Ava in my thoughts and prayers, around the clock.
Love,
Janelle
Zimmermans,
I hope this is a great day for you and that Ava has been resting her little body comfortably. You have been on our minds constantly and we are continuing to pray and pray and pray for you.
All of our Love,
Jeff, Beth, Morgan,& Taylor Altergott
We cannot stop thinking of you and are praying that you receive good news today.
Love,
The Lake's
Brent, Emilee, Bryce, Brayden, Brynn, and Bree
Jamie ,
We are all very sad in our household. We are still praying for things to work out.I hope she can get throuh all of this so badly.
Merry Christmas,
Hannah Rice 12/22/07
Please know that we are all praying for you and your family. Ava is in good hands with God.
I believe in Christmas miracles!
Love always,
Barb, Dana, and Heather Daniels
Zimmerman Family-
My family is keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. We hope for all the best for your beautiful little girl.
Christmas wishes to you all,
Katie Gassensmith and Family
May God be with all of you right now. Granny is not understanding why whis is happening at all. I have so much hurt in me for every single one of us. I just wish I could be a jeannie and make everything better for all. Please God once again listen to our prayers. Try not to let us down. PLEASE
granny and poppy
Jamie & Jamie -
My heart goes out to you and your family. Your daughter Ava is in my prays. I know how hard it is to be away from your other child as well. My daughter Legna was also at Bronson and my daughter Nevaeh was 3 at the time. I could not leave Legna's side and at the same time it was very painful to be away from Nevaeh. Bronson has a wonderful team of experts. I know you all will get through this. You little girl Ava is in my heart and prayers.
God Bless All of you
Heather Miller & Girls
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