Saturday, November 03, 2007

The Latest News

Finally we have a date for Ava's fundo surgery. If everything goes as planned, Ava will be at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor on December 13. Her surgeon, Dr. Hirschl, comes highly recommended and has a list of credentials as long as my arm. I am confident that he is one of the best and will take good care of our girl. I sent along a full page of questions with Ava's mom and dad, and the doctor patiently addressed all of them.

I am so afraid of Ava having general anesthesia. I think it scares me more than the surgery. I know the benefits outweigh the risks, but even the tiniest possibility of losing Ava makes me physically ill. Fortunately, her heart is holding its own. The SVAS is not improving, but it also isn't getting any worse.

I haven't elaborated much on Ava's reflux problems, but she suffers so much. The poor little thing retches and vomits daily, sometimes many times a day. If her tummy is bothering her she can gag just looking at a sippy cup. She's still on a twice daily regimen of Prevacid and Miralax, and three doses per day of Reglan. This has been going on since she was born, with no improvement. So, yeah, she needs the fundo surgery. Who knows? She might even make it past 19 pounds once she stops vomiting.

I have had such a hard time writing anything lately. It feels like work! It's either ADD or just plain laziness. I have so many things I would like to share through this blog, but I can't seem to force myself to get the details from my brain to the keyboard. I apologize and hope to get my groove back one of these days.

9 comments:

Julie said...

I hope everything goes okay with her anestisia and surgery. I also hope she soon outgrows the reflux. Noah too suffers from the reflux. We actually had a test run called a "cookie swallow" and they found that his esophogaus was slow. They said this was common in reflux patients. He is slowly outgrowing it, but every once in a while he has a flare up. I think our kids also just have sensitive stomachs and pallets. You guys are in my prayers.

Nancy said...

I'm hoping the surgery is a life-changing miracle for Ava and your whole family.

Amy said...

She seems to be doing great amidst the reflux,that sounds awful. Better days ahead for little Ms. Ava! I hope everything goes wonderfully, keep us updated.
XOXO
Amy

Teresa and Shawn said...

I know the thought of surgery is scary, but poor Ava sounds like she needs it. I did not know her reflux was that bad, poor baby. You are in my thoughts and prayers as the surgery approaches - for some peace and calming of your nerves. And of course, we are always praying for Ava!!

Laura said...

You all are in our thoughts.

Unknown said...

We shall keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Tara said...

I will definitely be thinking of Ava. I hate it that she's had so much trouble...and I hope you see much improvement once she's had it done. She and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Kerry said...

:( Rotten about the reflux. Can't they just hurry up and outgrow it already???!?!? I'm impressed with the 19 lbs though - Brady is still hovering somewhere around 17.5-18.

Lisa said...

I am glad you all have more time to ready yourself for the surgery, I hope it makes her little tummy feel better I know that the reflux must just be aweful... She is getting so big I love the pictures :)