Sat 19 Apr 2008
Pre-TSD
Posted by Jane under Updates
[11] Comments
I’ve been having trouble falling asleep. Getting surprised by a pit in my stomach when think about Ramona’s upcoming surgery. A heart cath is really not a huge deal when compared to open heart surgery. But it’s a big deal compared to staying home and going on with life as usual.
Honestly I’m more anxious about what they’re going to find in there than I am about the procedure itself. I’m not sure, but I think she will only be in the hospital for a night or two, so that’s good. They will be inserting various instruments into an incision in her leg vein (or possibly her neck if they can’t get access in her leg). These instruments will be fed into her heart to take measurements, images and possibly make some surgical improvements to her heart function. There’s a real range of outcomes and I’m getting increasingly nervous and having a hard time just “not thinking about it”. It’s the same mix of excitement and dread that I used to experience with infertility, waiting to see each month if I was pregnant.
So I’m trying to be patient and am praying for good news.
Last weekend I drove both babies down to St. Louis to see my good friend Jen. She and her husband have 2 year old twins. We were also joined by another friend and her 20 month old son. So five babies under three…nuts! It was fun and exhausting and fun. Here’s a link to a short video of Ramona that Jen took, she’s showing off her belly button:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmEj-b622Bo
Please join me in praying that we will all get some rest this week. That Ramona will recover from a cold she brought back from St. Louis with her. That all of the last-minute child care arrangements will fall into place. But most of all that these tests will show that Ramona’s branching pulmonary arteries have grown significantly. Significantly enough that she will qualify for more surgery. Significantly enough to convince her doctors and her poor, scared mommy that she has a long term future.
Here’s a pic of Simon out in our yard planting swiss chard with my mom…
Love, Jane.
We are praying for lots of good things from this surgery!
Jane, here are my top two tips on falling asleep when very stressed:
1. Listen to a familiar audiobook on my iPod very quietly (“Pride and Prejudice” is my favorite option).
2. Ambien works like a charm!
That video of Ramona is adorable. I love her big flower hair clip!
Dear Jane, Dear Andy,
You want the very best for your daughter. We all do!
I join my prayers to yours – those you have specified & those that catch in your throat & lay beneath your heart. Please remember that you are not alone, & please remember how far you & Ramona have come:)
I am proud of her & of you! XOXO
Praying for peace for you in the upcoming days leading up to the cath. The anxiety of it all really gets to me, too. I have a hard time with it and lose a lot of sleep as well. I totally understand where you’re coming from right now. It’s just tough.
It will feel good to get this step behind you, but I know that doesn’t make a dent in the feelings of anxiety. Praying hard for you!!! xoxoxox
envisioning a restful sleep for all and fabulously growing branching pulmonary arteries. . . will take this mental image with me throughout the week and beyond. positive thoughts. best, sarah p
Dear Andy and Jane,
You are assured that Ramona is in His loving care, that she has been and will continue to be protected by not just one or two, but LEGIONS of His heavenly hosts; that many of us are in constant and ready prayer for her safety, well-being and healing; that we are singing thanksgiving for the precious gift that Ramona is to all of us, for the healing that has been, is and will be, and for the miracle of His healing ministry here on Earth
through the medical community; and we are praising Him for who He is…Creator, Lord, King of kings, Healer and Author of all that is and will be.
Our Lord is in control. He loves you, knows that you are afraid and is ready to give you peace. Lean on His love, mercy and grace; it is without end.
Jane,
I’m sending happy, peaceful thoughts & prayers your way. I hope you get some rest.
Cute video!
Angie
I like Simon’s hair-cut, cute…he’s becoming a BIG boy.
I love you guys, and am anxious too.
Jane –
You haven’t had much of a break from this sort of anxiety for many years now. I hope tonight is full of sleep and peace. We are praying for all of you and the surgery.
Jane,
You are so totally normal! We all hate to bring our kids back into the hospital, even for a heart cath. Which IS a big deal, as much as we try to convince ourselves that it’s nothing compared to OHS. I am praying for great results from the cath, and for you to experience supernatural peace before, during, and after this procedure.
Thinking of you all, especially today. all my thoughts are for health and growth and happiness.