January 23 - February 2, 2015

Since the last blog post, we have tried a few things with Anna. We upsized her trach again, this time in diameter (a 4.0 Ped) hoping that it would help get by the malatia in her airway. This did help somewhat, but she was still needing oxygen to keep the number of desaturation spells low. This made me think that her Pulmonary Hypertension had returned, as I'd seen her similar to this shortly after she got her trach. 

On Friday they did another ECHO to see what her heart was doing and it was just as I suspected. Her Pulmonary Hypertension had returned, but the most concerning part was that her heart looked different than it did on the previous ECHO. On Monday, they decided it was best for us to ligate (close) the PDA before we take Anna home with us. 

We just found out today that the surgery will take place TOMORROW at 1 pm! Please remember Anna in your prayers. As well as the doctors - that His hand may guide them and surgery may go well. They ligate the PDA by doing a 3 cm incision inbetween her ribs on her left side. They then find the PDA and clamp it closed. The risks are blood lose (they are reaching in right by the aorta) and possible damage of the nerve that goes to the vocal cords. 

They are also going to repair her inguinal hernia at the same time. That is just a quick little fix that will do, pending she is stable, etc.

Please pray that Ryan and I may have the patience and strength we need as we continue on this journey with Anna - especially during her surgery tomorrow. Waiting for them to come out of the OR is so hard! Pray that the surgery may be successful and get us on the road to home (again) with Anna.

I hope to cover the wonderful "Elegant Evening" we had for Anna in the next post - just don't have time tonight!!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Pslam 34:4