I just got a call from Jane with this update. The surgeons were able to go in and repair the aneurism with a gortex patch. They made the decision not to attempt the shunt on her RPA (Right Pulmonary Artery). Instead they have sliced open the LPA which is the smaller of the two. That is now patched open to encourage the other artery to grow. This is more helpful than the shunt on the Right would have been. (more…)
Fri 15 Jun 2007
Aneurysm Averted
Posted by Jane under Updates
[12] Comments
The CVNP (cardiovascular nurse practitioner) just came by and told us that they have successfully opened her chest without disrupting the aneurysm.
Fri 15 Jun 2007
Surgery in progress
Posted by Jon under Updates
[3] Comments
Jane just called to pass along the news that Ramona is in surgery (as of about 9:00 this morning, as planned). They’re waiting to hear about how the opening of her chest has gone, which she hopes to know within an hour. Nothing more to report right now — just please pray for Ramona; the surgeons, nurses, and staff; and Jane, Andy, Simon, and the whole family.
Thu 14 Jun 2007
Two Roads Diverged
Posted by Jane under Updates
[28] Comments
Ramona’s nurse asked me today if I felt ready for her surgery. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. I know I can steel myself, “Toughen up”, as Grammie Sue says. But actually take it in and feel ready? No way. But for Ramona to survive we need to take her, chubby and smiling, and hand her over to the doctors to be cut open and jury-rigged. It’s a hard thing.
Thu 14 Jun 2007
Movin’ Up
Posted by Andy under Updates
[12] Comments
[8:45AM]
Jane just called me from the hospital to say that they may take Ramona into surgery today.
Wed 13 Jun 2007
Consent
Posted by Jane under Updates
[23] Comments
Tue 12 Jun 2007
CT results
Posted by Ann under Updates
[25] Comments
Jane just called me and asked me to post the results of the CT scan. Here they are: (more…)
Tue 12 Jun 2007
Still Waiting…
Posted by Andy under Updates
[14] Comments
Tue 12 Jun 2007
Update
Posted by Andy under Updates
[12] Comments
We were just told that in 30 minutes or so they will take Ramona, put her under anestesia, place a PICC line, and do the CTscan to take a look at her cardiovascular anatomy. We’ll post more info as we have it. Ramona is asleep in Jane’s arms right now.
Thank you all for your prayers and love.
Andy
Tue 12 Jun 2007
Waiting…
Posted by Jane under Updates
[21] Comments
We are here waiting for some tests to be done. Ramona will have a line placed this morning so that they can do a CT of her heart and aneurism. We are hoping that they will be able to repair it, it is 20mm, quite large. She is very likely to need open heart surgery before coming home again. Our big hope is that in addition to repairing the problem with her patch, they will be able to give her some further improvement on her heart function.