Fri 15 Jun 2007
Post Op Happenings
Posted by Andy under Updates
[21] Comments
I’m here in Ramona’s room and she’s got a lot of other guests, too.
It varries from minute to minute. Right now it’s just her nurse and me, but 20 minutes ago there were 5 people in here. Ramona’s blood pressure and heart rate are the topic of concern for these professionals. Her blood pressure is low and her heart rate is high. I keep getting told that this is normal post op behavior, and due to “fluid shift”. When a patient is put on a heart bypass machine, their blood is pumped out of the body, through an oxygenating machine, and back in. The body treats this blood coming back in with some suspicion, and raises “inflammatory markers”. This causes the vein walls to inflame and loosen, allowing fluids to more readily move out of the vein. So…fluid moving out lowers the blood pressure and raises the heart rate. They pump fluids into her IV and her body reacts almost instantly. It’s amazing.
Otherwise Ramona seems to be doing great. She doesn’t need a few helpful medications that she had last time, and her sats are good. In fact, The Stranger just started playing on her iPod, and her sats jumped 5 points, so I’m a proud Papa.
Absolutely one of my FAVORITE tunes! With the power combo of Dad’s fine work and Mama’s beautiful voice how can she HELP but get a jolt?
I knew that kid had good taste…lol.
It’s been a long day. Soooo grateful that it is going well. I have been praying for you all day and am just so grateful to hear your news. May you all feel the closeness of God in a profound way this night. You are all so precious. Peace to to you, Peace of Christ to you. Love Kerry Eric and the kids
You don’t know me. i first heard about Ramona on the dec board at ivillage. I think about you and your little girl .I think that your such a great mommy. Ramona is such a gift. When i read about her good day it makes me smile and on the bad day i cry along with you. I want to tell you that I’ve never meet you and your little girl but reading about her i have falling in love with her.
As I gaze at this picture of your beautiful girl and read your wonderful news, my heart overflows with thankfulness and my eyes overflow with tears. Praise God!!! We’ll keep praying incessantly. Much love to you and hope for some rest tonight.
I am so happy to hear little Ramona is doing well. I look forward to seeing new pictures of her. She is so sweet and precious. Happy Father’s Day Papa!
*Love and Prayers*
Krystle
thanks for the update. keep those sats up ramona! sarah p
Who knew something so scary and hard would be a good thing? Your experience with Ramona’s first surgery has you guys knowing what to expect and what not to get too excited about. You hear all the dr lingo and absorb it (or not). I’m so proud of Ramona’s parents! We keep praying for you guys to stay strong and for Ramona to heal and recover. Sleep well, Jane and Andy…
Praise Jesus….I’ve been getting updates all day via phone since I could not be at a computer. You’ve all been on my heart all day. She looks beautiful. Prayers tonite for rest for all of you, all healing for Ramona tonite. Love you all!
Val
she is in our thoughts as she recovers.
Proud Papa indeed! It is so great to get a look at her post op. All pretty and pink.
Get some rest Ramona Mae. Your brother, Mom and Dad too.
Love you all
Jen
She looks really good post-surgery. This is the hard part for the parents – riding the rollercoaster of recovery. I’m glad to hear that her sats are higher – hopefully it stays that way. I continue to send positive thoughts your way and hope her recovery continues to go in the right direction.
Dina S.
Dude – hang in there! I’m so proud of you and Jane and lil’ Mona Mae.
She’s in great hands there, both physically and spiritually.
I’m praying for you all!
Carson
What execellent taste in music! And what a beautiful face, even with all the medical acoutrements. I just got home and checked the blog before even giving Hans a proper “hello”. I’m something of a cyber-stalker that way, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Good night, sweet family. I’ll continue to pray and I’ll check check on you in the morning. I wish you peace overnight.
Great news! We’re pumping out those positive vibes Ramona’s way and hope she (and you guys) stay strong. It’s so amazing to see that physical change when she heard the song. Very cool.
God Bless you all, we will keep praying all night. Thank-you for the update.
Jane and Andy,
I will continue to pray for Ramona and her heart! She certainly is a fighter. God will continue to protect her and you.
Love, Jenni Belmonte
Glad to hear that surgery went well. I will be praying that her blood pressure and heart rate stabilize overnight and that you all get some rest. If I remember correctly Drew had some issues with those very things after his last surgery. It took some adjusting of various medications but it was all under control by the next morning.
Thinking of you,
Andrea
I couldn’t sleep and woke up at about 5am thinking about Ramona. I hope she had a peaceful and uneventful night. Even just a few short hours after major surgery, Ramona looks beautiful.
What great news that her PA’s seem to be growing a bit and that they were able to do some things to help them even more. I know how important it must be to you guys to make some forward progress. (When Jack had his aneurysm removed, I just kept stressing that I was hoping they could make some progress rather than just a correction. I wanted to be moving in the right direction.)
So, surgery number two is officially behind you. As you well know the recovery period is not always easy but Ramona will be back to herself within days. Before Jack’s first surgery, a NP told us some reassuring things, one of which was that ‘the baby that you bring in to surgery will be the same baby you take home.’ It sounds obvious but it helped me remember that Jack would still be Jack. Ramona will be the same incredible blessing and happy baby that she was just two days ago.
I will continue to pray that her recovery is quick and uneventful and that she gets to come back home in record time.
Always thinking of you and sweet Ramona,
Kelly
Dear Andy,
I’m glad to read the good news.
My family and I will continue praying for Ramona’s post-op improvement.
Advanced HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY to your Dad and you
Keep smiling and God bless!
Andy,
Kim and I are so glad to hear that things went well and are on track for Ramona. We will keep praying for you all.
Happy Father’s Day dude!
God Bless,
George
You don’t know me, but I received an e-mail from our church’s prayer request list (via Paul Maze)asking for prayers for Romona. I just want you to know that I believe very strongly in the power of prayer and will be praying for your daughter and your entire family. May God give you the strength you need to endure. God Bless.