Piper Lilly-lee - Born Sept 11, 2013 New Tiny Human - Due Aug 7, 2015 August 2015 - July Siggy Challenge - After Pregnancy Plans It will start like this: And end like this!
Congratulations!!! She is absolutely gorgeous !!! I am praying for a great surgery tomorrow. This reminds me of what my parents must have gone through with me 27 years ago. You guys are in my thoughts, xoxo
Thank you guys for so much encouragement! It's been quite a whirlwind already. Yesterday was a good day and I was so relieved to spend some great time at the Children's Hospital with Eliza. My nurses have been amazing!
We just found out that she's scheduled to have her back surgery this morning at 7am. We've spoken to her neurologists and other surgeons already. The lesion on her back is quite large. They aren't completely sure about all of their methods before beginning the surgery because the procedure for her is a big endeavor on their part with a great many surgeons working together. So we're just praying that when the time comes, they have full confidence in all of their collaborative skills and the best is obviously done for her.
Eliza is doing great! Very stable and happy. She's not in any pain and seems to be wonderfully content. She's not been allowed to eat yet because they weren't sure about when her surgery would be and didn't want to start and stop any feeds. Also, no holding her or BF until her back is cleared by neuro so it could be a long time before we can do those things. At this point she's showing a surprisingly wide range of feeling in her lower extremities (very surprising to her doctors and nurses!) so we're praying hard that those feelings will be retained after her back closure surgery. Her hydrocephalus (the fluid in her brain caused by the spina bifida) has remained stable thus far, but that is also subject to change following this surgery. So today is a tough one.
**** RE: motownthrowdown asked about Eliza's hydro and shunting... At the point, her ventricles have been stable since about 30 weeks. With her back closure surgery, they do expect there to be some change since they are closing off the section of the spine that did retain a bit of fluid. So we are prepared for a small increase. The question is if it will stablize and if it will put any pressure on her brain. They've already done a pre-surgery ultrasound to get a baseline for all of that. Her head cir and soft spot are the best indicators. If the fluid doesn't stabilize or puts pressure on her brain, then yes, a shunt would be put in at that point. We've been told the odds are around 80% that she'll have one before 6 months. So that would likely be a few days out at the soonest.
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Eliza went into surgery this morning. The neurosurgeons were done in a couple of hours and met with us. Said she had done very well and was constantly stable. They'd left her with plastic surgeons, who really have the tricky task since they're dealing with reforming all the layers of skin and muscle on her back. They'll still be working on her for another 3 hours or so. Eager to get my baby girl out of the OR and get through today so she can recover. So we allllll can!
So glad she's continuing to do well. I know today will be a long one for you, but you are doing amazing. Thinking of you and Eliza today and hoping her surgery goes well!
Thinking of you now as you are waiting as Eliza has surgery. I hope she continues to surprise the doctors and nurses. Hugs to you and H as you wait. Don't forget to take care of yourself so you can continue to be such an amazing momma to that sweet little lady.
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