Friday, July 24, 2015

Update 7.24.15

The decision was made last night to go ahead and do the shunt surgery on Monday. Helena's oxygen saturation numbers just aren't where we want them to be, and all the doctors agree that it's not due to a lack of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood mixing, but due to poor blood flow because her pulmonary valve is so small. The only way to increase blood flow at this point is to put the shunt in.

Today we met with Helena's surgeon who is pretty much the most amazing man ever. He is so calm, and so reassuring, and so confident and that he just makes us feel so much better about Helena's situation anytime we speak with him. He went over the surgery in detail and answered all our questions about the surgery and his thoughts on her situation. He told us what his plan for her is, and we agreed that it is a good one.

The current plan is that Helena will have the shunt surgery on Monday, and after recovery at the Children's Hospital (which should be about two weeks) she should get to come home.

I can't even type that without crying.

She should get to come home. We'll be able to hold her. She'll meet her brothers. She'll be home. 

The shunt should last her until we decide it's time for her big surgery to fix her TGA and VSD in about six months or so. There are minimal risks to the shunt surgery, and it should increase the blood flow to her lungs, which would raise her saturation levels to a point where they don't dip down to unsafe levels when she cries or fusses.

We really feel it's the best option at this point and we're so grateful to all her doctors for doing everything they could to try to avoid surgery, but we all agree it has to be done. 

Until then, Helena will stay in the NICU. She is still stable and comfortable, and they're leaving her on the ventilator so that they don't have to just put it in again on Monday. She's getting milk through a tube again, and they're even upping the amount they're giving her at each feeding which she loves. Our little Polish, Italian, Greek baby girl LOVES her food :) 

Once again, we thank you for all your support and thoughts and prayers. We feel truly blessed to have so many people care about us and are grateful for all of you.

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