So it is 10:33a.m. and time is ticking slower that you can believe. We came to the hospital at 6:30a..m this morning to see our daughter before the surgery. We met with the surgeron and reviewed the sugery, then had to sign the relase form. I think that was the hardest part. Signing a form for a procedure that you know your daughter may not make it through. They said from start to finsh it should take about 6 to 8 hours. Still waiting on first update. Below is a little bit about the diease and the surgery.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) occurs in about 1% of all Congential Heart Disease. The left ventricle (LV) is hypoplastic, meaning it is underdeveloped or not functioning. The babies first surgery is called the Norwood procedure. The pulmonary artery is seperated from the heart and connected to the small arota. This enlarges the aorta and allows both oxygeneted and deooxygented blood to get to the body via the open pulmonary valve. Addtionally, a mondified Blalock-Taussig shunt is placed. This Gore-Tex Tube is placed between the subclavin artery, the artery that runs under the collar bone, and the pulmonary artery to allow blood to flow from the baby's upper body directly to the lungs, bypassing the heart altogehter. From the lungs blood flow to the heart to be pumped out to the body, carrying oxygen. This allows the baby to grow out of infancy with more oxygenated blood reaching the body. The blood flow through the pulmonary circulation allows the pulmonary arteries to grow better, in preparation for the next sugery, which will be at five to eight months of age. At this time the Glenn procedure will be preformed.
Sounds a little confusing I know. It took me a few times of hearing it to grasp it. There are many complacations that could come, bleeding, brian damage, stroke, etc. Or it could just not accept the procedure done on it and shut down.
But obvesily this is not going to happen to my little girl!! She has been strong all week, and will continue today!! I will update later as we know ourselves.
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It's people like you, who give people like me strength & hope! Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do for you!! If Emily needs anything we are a phone call away! I am praying harder than ever for this child and have really high hopes for your next update! She is strong just like her mama & will come through this. I know it in my heart! We love you and are seeding prayers up! Xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and little Grace right now... love you.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! Stay strong, and our prayers are for you.and your family.
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