Monday, December 17, 2007

So Many to Thank!

Ava's been sleeping alot lately. She had a chest xray because we were worried about fluid overload since she had a blood transfusion last Thursday. She gained 2 ounces overnight and she's not getting anything but TPN and lipids for nutrients. They gave her an extra dose of diuretics to compensate. All of her stools have come back negative for blood. Trying to enjoy every second with her before surgery. Even if all goes well I won't be able to hold her for awhile after surgery. That will be hard to get used to again. My arms have gotten so accustomed to having her in them all day long.

Thank you Mrs. Timm and Mrs. Phillips for the school pictures, and the pin with Ava's picture. Thanks Gretchen and Dan for coming to see us and for the baby gifts. Ava loves to watch them. Thank you Rudluff and Davies families for the beautiful bracelet. I already had one with Brayden's name. It's perfect. And, Amy I appreciate what you're doing to help out in my classroom. The students are very lucky. Thank you Emilee for the bracelet as well. It's just what I need for inspiration on those tough days. Thanks Michelle for the thoughtful gift of massage, I hope I can get out of the hospital someday to use it. Thanks Tracy for taking Zeke to the vet last weekend. Thanks, Dixie and Carol for cleaning the house last week. Thanks, Dan for cleaning the carpets. It's so nice to know the house is clean when I come home. Thank you Wilma for getting groceries for the house since the boys were almost out. Thanks, Mom for the basket of goodies. Brenda, Michelle, Janelle, Lori, Beth and Emilee thanks for the Christmas trees and ornaments. It was so thoughtful of you. Kelly, we had so much fun last weekend opening the gifts you brought in the basket. Emily W., Brayden loved the stickers you sent. They kept him busy for hours this weekend! Thanks Ethan and family for dropping off the gift bag when you were at Mott last weekend for a checkup. I hope all is going well for Ethan. Jamie and Brayden loved the home cooked meal you sent tonight, Janelle. It sure helps Jamie out when he doesn't have to plan dinner. Thank you, Catalanos for plowing the driveway. Jenny, I get so many comments about the adorable U of M blanket you made. Thanks so much. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. We are so incredibly blessed to have such thoughtful, caring people in our lives. We can't thank you enough for all of your generosity. We hope that someday we will be in the position to help some of you when you need it.

Praying for Ava and all the children at Mott that have to overcome so much. Keeping Molly, Troy, Tim Glover, and Molly's mother in my daily prayers as well.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thinking of all of you soooo much!
erin

The Hondorp's said...

Zimmerman's,
We are praying for all of you every day and are so inspired by your strength and love for your family. May all of your Christmas wishes be granted and you receive a Christmas Miracle of safe and successful surgery for Ava!

All of our love,
Jeff, Charisa and Max

Anonymous said...

It's good that Ava is getting her rest! I believe it means she is content and getting prepared for her big day.

Your in my thoughts and prayers constantly.

Emily

Anonymous said...

Zimmerman's

Hoping all goes well with the surgery. Ava is a very strong little girl (it appears she has gotten that right from Mom!) and it looks like she is doing everything that she needs to do to get ready. Thoughts and prayers continue daily. Again, remember that you also need to stay strong and rested. Family and friends are never ever far from your reach. Keep the faith, keep your head high and draw strength from your support. We are hear for you all!

Ginger

Anonymous said...

Jamie,
I miss seeing you and Ava lately. I am praying for you all and that her surgery is a success and that you will be home very soon. It will be so nice to come visit you and Ava at your house, when I come back to Niles to visit, rather than seeing you guys in a hospital room all the time. Take care! I love you, Jenny

Anonymous said...

Dear Zimmermans all...

Everyone you know and a lot of people who don't, have sent best wishes and prayers every day since Sept. 29, but Thursday morning at 8:30am, EVERYONE will be tuned in.
What a wonderous accumulation of spontaneous prayers will be sent to you and darling Ava..all at one time! And for some time to come.

We all love you more than you know!

Love, love, love,
Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Wegner

Anonymous said...

For once Ms. ava I am at aloss for words! Right, you are thinking! But I do believe you are resting so well due to the fact you know you should. and-the love and support you have is so overwhelming. I have in my life time seen alot and traveled alot, and this is the most love and come together of support and family and prayers and love I have ever seen. You have to be an angel and blessed little Ava Christine. And what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Well suppose to be short. We will see you tomorrow. Please rest and have sweet dreams. I will say many prayers. All of us out here without you, are saying prayers every second.
good night girls, sleep tight. love you
granny and poppy

Anonymous said...

Jamie,

Enjoy those moments holding Ava and know that after this surgery is over, you will be able to hold her all that you want. Thinking of you and praying for you all.

Love,
Emilee

Anonymous said...

Jamie,
There is no need to thank me for doing anything for you, you and Jame have done so much for me that anything I can ever do for you all will never be enough. This is what family and friends are for, is to be there for each other in time of need. Also, I will have your pants done and brought to you on Thursday. I can't wait to get my arms around that beautiful little girl. I just hope that we can make it there in plenty of time to give kisses, hugs and love u's.
If you need anything brought up, call, we will be leaving early Thursday morning.
Tracy

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Ava with Mommy & Daddy

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.

Before surgery

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

Before Surgery

After 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)