Thursday, February 2nd
We have finally arrived in Michigan!
Will did not tolerate his transport very well. He had a couple of spells where his oxygen saturations dropped, and his flight nurse had to administer some sedation during the flight to help.
When he arrived in Michigan they had to do some "tweaking" with his ventilator settings because his blood gas was not very good. They went up on his rate from 24 to 40. This should only be temporary... he should do better once he is better situated.
It was so weird for us being back at Michigan. It feels like it was so long ago that we were here, but it has only been 2 months! It was very reassuring to see the nurses and docs that we got to know so well. We are in such great hands!
Now it seems that the docs don't know for sure that they want to do the Rastelli Repair. They are still considering 3 options:
1. Repeat the Norwood Procedure and replace his shunt
2. Do the Glenn Procedure (2nd stage surgical procedure for hypoplastic left heart)
3. Do the Rastelli Repair
Each has it's own benefits and risks. I think the doctors' biggest fear about doing either the Glenn or the Rastelli is that both require Will to be on the heart lung bypass machine for a long period of time, which puts him at a high risk of having another brain bleed. If they did a repeat Norwood, it could buy him more time and would require very little time on the bypass machine.
The Michigan docs are not very convinced that the pressure reading of 22 from the heart cath is accurate. They think that the blood pressure medicines he was on at the time may have increased his pressure. Still, there is no way to know for sure. I know Dr. Bove can do a pressure reading once he opens Will's chest, but I don't know if he will want to wait until then to make the call on what to do. If the pressures are reasonable, it may be better for him to do the Glenn.
Dr. Bove has a jammed packed surgery schedule tomorrow, so we probably won't have an opportunity to speak with him until Monday. In the meantime, the other docs are going to watch him closely and continue to discuss his options.
Once we talk to Dr. Bove we should have a better idea of what is best for Will at this point. We'll let you know!
Will did not tolerate his transport very well. He had a couple of spells where his oxygen saturations dropped, and his flight nurse had to administer some sedation during the flight to help.
When he arrived in Michigan they had to do some "tweaking" with his ventilator settings because his blood gas was not very good. They went up on his rate from 24 to 40. This should only be temporary... he should do better once he is better situated.
It was so weird for us being back at Michigan. It feels like it was so long ago that we were here, but it has only been 2 months! It was very reassuring to see the nurses and docs that we got to know so well. We are in such great hands!
Now it seems that the docs don't know for sure that they want to do the Rastelli Repair. They are still considering 3 options:
1. Repeat the Norwood Procedure and replace his shunt
2. Do the Glenn Procedure (2nd stage surgical procedure for hypoplastic left heart)
3. Do the Rastelli Repair
Each has it's own benefits and risks. I think the doctors' biggest fear about doing either the Glenn or the Rastelli is that both require Will to be on the heart lung bypass machine for a long period of time, which puts him at a high risk of having another brain bleed. If they did a repeat Norwood, it could buy him more time and would require very little time on the bypass machine.
The Michigan docs are not very convinced that the pressure reading of 22 from the heart cath is accurate. They think that the blood pressure medicines he was on at the time may have increased his pressure. Still, there is no way to know for sure. I know Dr. Bove can do a pressure reading once he opens Will's chest, but I don't know if he will want to wait until then to make the call on what to do. If the pressures are reasonable, it may be better for him to do the Glenn.
Dr. Bove has a jammed packed surgery schedule tomorrow, so we probably won't have an opportunity to speak with him until Monday. In the meantime, the other docs are going to watch him closely and continue to discuss his options.
Once we talk to Dr. Bove we should have a better idea of what is best for Will at this point. We'll let you know!
posted by Stephanie Burns @ 7:17 PM
7 Comments:
At 7:49 PM,
Anonymous said…
Will, as always, is in great hands... Not only the great medical staffs, but also both of you... And, of course, God's Hands as well... We will keep you in our prayers and look forward to joining you soon...
Robert
At 8:01 PM,
Anonymous said…
You are the the Brave Trio.you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all, Nana Morris
At 8:46 PM,
Anonymous said…
ditto Robert...Will is in good hands all the way around. Sleep safe, baby Will. Peaceful sleep tonight, Josh and Stephanie. Love and Prayers-Aunt Sally
At 10:09 PM,
Anonymous said…
Hope you can get some sleep...Iknow you are exhausted. You are always in our hearts and our prayers.
At 10:09 PM,
Anonymous said…
It is good to hear the Michigan docs think there may be more options, but ultimately, God will continue to guide the doctors in the way He wants Will to be cared for. I am confident with what you have shared with us about the doctors, that they, too realize where to put their trust and faith. What a reassurance that is!
Keep up the wonderful job on the blog keeping us all up to date on everything. I know everyone wishes we were all right there with you!
Love you!!!!
At 11:34 PM,
Mama Barn said…
Hey Steph, I'm so glad to hear Will was a trooper thru the flight. We will keep close tabs on you all. How much longer will Will have to be on the bypass machine with the Glenn ot the R one compared to the Norwood?
Tomorrow can you go visit Jorianna, the 'miracle" baby? You remember her right? And give her a kiss for me?
I want to you to give Tammy a hug, Missy a hug and Erin a hug, and Pam a great big hug all from me? And Beth (the newly pregnant one) and Becky (the new Becky, not Connie's sister). Can you do all that for me? I really miss all those nurses. They were like family to me. Wierd?... I think you know what I mean.
I will be praying that God will give Dr. Bove and the others much wisdom concerning Will.
Hey, did you find out what was bothering his tummy?
Take Care,
Angela Hayward
At 8:14 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hello Josh & Stephanie,
We're glad to hear that Will is back in Bove's care. We know how reassuring it is to be back with the nurses and doctors at Michigan. They will do a great job keeping Will comfortable and healthy until Bove decides which surgery to do. We have all the faith in the world that Will is on his way to becoming a healthy little dude. Hopefully Bove decides to do Stage II so that is behind him. Either way he'll be feeling much better after the surgery than he is now and that will be very exciting!
Where are you staying? Microtel or Ronald McDonald? Please let us know if there is anything you need. We'll be heading over to visit soon. If you're staying at McDonald's we'll bring you the TV!
We wish there was more we could do. We pray for little Will and you two so much. We ask that God's plan is for a healthy Will. May he hear our prayers!!!
Good luck this weekend. We hope it is very uneventful!
All our prayers, The Lowrie's
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