To all of Ava's "Followers", family and friends. Jamie, Jamie, Brayden, and the rest of the Weaver-Zimmerman family would like to give thanks to EVERYONE for all of your prayers, and support during these last few months. Believe us when we say that without family and friends, this time would have been harder than it was. We know that Ava is and will continue to be loved by everyone forever and always.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Cheryl and Amy (Ava's nurses) and Dr. Bocks (spelling?) for coming to be with us during this difficult time. We were told that Ava's surgeon Dr. Hirsch would of liked to have been with us today as well but could not, due to her schedule. Thank you Dr. Hirsch, not only for your wonderful medical expertise, but for your heart felt sympathy and everything that you have done for Ava these last few months.
Again, thank you everyone, and please keep us in your prayers as you are in ours.
Weaver-Zimmerman Family
Monday, January 7, 2008
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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)
7 comments:
Morning Jamie & Jamie,
I hope you were able to get some rest last night..I can imagine how exhausted this has left you. I can also imagine that you do not want to go to sleep, for fear that when you wake up you will realize again that this terrible nightmare is true. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I can sympathize to some degree, with the passing of my nephews four years ago, although I am certain that as the parents, the loss is much greater. My youngest son is four and seeing him is a constant reminder to my brother and step-brother of their little boys..they would have all been 6 months apart...it's funny how much they both connect with him the most out of my four children. It's been four years and I am still angry that they are not here with us. We still talk about them and whenever the kids get balloons from TGIF's or somewhere else, they let them go and "send them" to the boys in heaven...I think they must have dozens by now :)
Anyway, I hope the days will get better and that your pain will get lighter...you WILL get through this and Ava will always live in your'S and all of our hearts!
Much love & prayers,
~Lori Baxter
Hi Jamie and Jamie,
You do not know me...but I have a feeling I will always remember your baby girl...My wife and I are due shortly, and our daughter's name is going to be Ava Christine Case...I typed in her name "Ava Christine" to see if it was a common name or not...and found this blog...how disturbed I am about what has happened. Please know that you are in both my wife and I's prayers. Even though we don't know you, we know the Lord and are honored to pray for you. What a wonderful name Ava Christine truly is.
Just wanted to send you love and prayers today. We carried Ava's spirit to the Zoo with us today. She must have been smiling down on Tampa, because it was a beautiful day.
Angie
Zimmermans -
I'm just checking in. I want you to know that even with Ava in heaven smiling down on everyone here, you (as well as her) are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Please remember, like we have all said before, if there is ANYTHING AT ALL that you need, please do not hesitate to ask. I told Heather that we have a four year old little boy also (along with a 9 and 3 year old) and if you and/or your family ever need some quiet time, time alone or just a few moments to do whatever you want or need, we would be honored to have Bray over for a "playdate". He seems like such a wonderful little boy and is loved so much. Even though it has been a long time since we have spent time together, we go back a long way. God bless you all!
Ginger
To Ava
I thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new,
I thought about you yesterday,
and days before that, too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name,
I have your Mommy and Daddy's
stories,
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake with
which I'll never part,
God has you in His keeping, and
I have you in my heart.
I'll love you forever,
Aunt Stacey
Hello my darling Angel. I pray you are dancing in those clouds. Someone new has been sent there to be with you. Tuesday morning, our wonderful golden retriever Lizzie, passed away. I had just thanked her the day of your funeral for hanging in with me during these sad times. I sat on the floor and rubbed her belly and she just looked at me with those bad catarcts. Lizzie was al
most 14 years old. We got her when your mom was still living at home with your poppy. Your mom would take Lizzie out of her cage and put her in bed with her. Granny is a little emotional right now. Losing you is not fair at all. Lizzie I can accept somewhat. But all together is very hard. So Im trying to think positive about some of this. Your mom, poppy, me and all of our family members loved Lizzie. She was the best dog! So maybe God let Lizzie hang on until you were safe, then sent Lizzie to help and love you! You will know her Ava. She is a messy looking red dog. But the most loving and she will watch over you. Lizzie watched over me for her entire life. Now Lizzie is up there to watch you. And Saber and Tyson are there also. Your aunt Heaths and your moms dogs. The 3 of them will take very good care of you. You will never be alone. Lizzie will sleep right by your side. I just know it.Please Dear God, never stop watching over Ava. Never stop watching over Lizzie. Lizzie was my best friend since she was 5 weeks old. I miss her so much. Yes, Im a goody granny. Im telling Ava about my dog. But I loved Ava so much in her short life. I loved Lizzie. So I feel Lizzie is with Ava and they are best friends now. For they are both new to the clouds. They need each other. Every pretty girl needs a dog.
Good night sweet angel and Lizzie take good care of Ava
God take care of both
God Bless
granny and poppy
Fran - I am so sorry about Lizzie! I remember her as a big footed little pup back when you first brought her home at the Grant Street house. You and I are the same in our love for our pets and my heart breaks for your already aching heart.
Thinking of you!
Love, Theresa
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