Thursday, April 16, 2009

Oh Ems!!

Surgery day TODAY! We arrived at Primarys at 6am. Met with the new surgeon, Dr Kaza. Got all the details and headed into the surgery waiting room. They gave her drug to help speed up her heart so the anesthetics would work quickly. The anesthesiologist came and took her from me. They put her to sleep with a gas mask, then went to work with the IV's. She had one in her neck with a couple of openings, one in her ankle and one in her wrist. The surgery started around 9am. By 10am we got word that things were going well, she was still on the heart/lung bypass machine but they were getting close to finishing up. We got a call around 10:30am, they took her off the machine after testing her heart and all was well. the surgeon spent another 45minutes to and hour before he came out and met up with us. I was so relieved to know that it was done and she did amazingly well! I cried tears of joy and so much relief!



The doctor said the VSD (hole between the left and right ventricle) was very large. He also found a second hole called a PFO between the left and right atrium. He closed both holes and she was being sent to the pediatric intensive care unit. We got to see her after about an hour! It was so hard to not pick her up and love her. She struggled for the first few hours. Her heart rate was very high, they slowed it down. Then she stopped breathing and turned blue, I was the only one watching her. I screamed and man, those docs are so calm and patient about things! I about lost it on them, but they were doing their job and she recovered quickly. As of now we are 6 hours out of surgery and she is sleeping soundly. Pain is under control and they are keeping her mildly sedated.
The doc took out her breathing tube before they left the O.R. usually its in for a day or more, she was doing well. The surgeon was amazing, he is so impressed with her strength. The docs (there are 3 or 4 watching her) have said maybe tomorrow she will go out on the floor, or Saturday. Usual stay is 3-5 days in the intensive care unit, then 3-5days on the floor. So she is doing really well. We are happy with how things are going and can't wait to get through these few ups and downs, its SOOO hard to watch your baby suffer and not be able to just pick her up. (maybe tomorrow I can hold her)
*prob a lot of grammar errors, its been a long day :)
With a of the info and details we have received, Emily shouldn't have been doing as great as she was. We know it is all of the prayers being said in her behalf. I can't thank you all enough! Please keep them coming!!!
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18 comments:

Jamey said...

Loni - that is GREAT news! I am so glad that everything has been going so well with her! I bet you are so relieved. Hang in there - she will be able to come home again before you know it! Congrats on the success!

The Leggs said...

Loni and family,
I am so glad everything is going well for Em. Your family and especially Em are in our prayers.

jaustin said...

Ben and Loni that is great news! Ems is such a strong little girl because of her strong parents. We cant wait to see ALL of you home soon! We love you!

Vanessa said...

Oh I am crying tears of JOY as well! I am so glad that all went well! I have been thinking about little EM all day! Keep us posted and I hope you and Ben are hanging in there...get a good nights sleep :)

Nants (Mom, Grandma) said...

I have to say I'm not sure who I've worried about the most these past few months. Loni or Em, watching your daughter go through difficult times no matter how old they are is trying. I love you and I'm so glad (glad really doesn't say it but..)that this is behind you both (Ben too) I look forward to the days of having two healthy twins at home together! Our prayers are still with you for a fast recovery. Mom

April Austin said...

I am so happy for you guys! It almost tears my heart apart just READING that post. I don't know how you are keeping it together. You all amaze me. I hope everything goes well for you today! Keep us updated!

Kevin and Eliza said...

I'm grateful that things went well and I pray that they will continue to go that way. Good luck!

Kruger Family said...

i AM THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU

Tiffini said...

Our prayers are with you, I hope everything continues to go well!! Good Luck!!

The Isoms said...

So glad to hear she is doing so well!

Just the 2 of Us! said...

Lons, I'm so glad she is doing so well considering the circumstances. She has such a great support system and such a great mommy! Love ya, we'll keep praying!

Linda R. Cobb said...

Thank you for keeping us updated. We're thinking of you constantly. How are Abbie and Isabelle doing these days? Emily looks more comfortable (since they've removed 2 IVs). It won't be long before this will all be over, and Emily can grow big and strong in the company of her beautiful sisters. Love, Grandma Linda

*** said...

Oh so very wonderful! Glad to hear she is doing well and what a fighter she is!! I admire you and Ben through everything these past 6 months!

The Fergie's said...

You did it Loni! You guys really are amazing! Hopefully soon this will all just be a crazy memory. Can't wait to hear an update!

Ryan and Kristie said...

I am so glad to hear that Emily is on the road to recovery. I wouldn't wish an ICU moment on any parent. Maybe when your life calms down we can get the girls together this summer. They miss St George a lot and would love to see Abby.

Ryan and Kristie said...

I am so glad to hear that Emily is on the road to recovery. I wouldn't wish an ICU moment on any parent. Maybe when your life calms down we can get the girls together this summer. They miss St George a lot and would love to see Abby.

Lorena said...

Emm is looking so good!It was fun to see you today! thanks for saving me from boredom!
You are the best!

The Gould Family said...

A friend of mine passed along your blog to me b/c my son will be undergoing this exact same surgery to fix his VSD. He too will be at Primary children's. His surgery is July 2nd. This post has helped relieve some of my stress and worry over his surgery--so I just wanted to thank you for posting about Emm's surgery. I'd love to hear about how the rest of the hospital stay was and how her recovery has been going if you ever get a chance or feel inclined to post. I'm glad to her your daughter's surgery went well! I hope she's gaining weight like a champ!!
Ashley
ryanashnryley@yahoo.com