Finally, we received some good news! The doctors told us that Abby's CT Scan looked great so we don't need to do a sinus procedure.
It feels like the first time that we have not been forced on either a pit stop or a detour on the Abby Road. So as of today, we are on schedule for pre-op work on Tuesday and the needed heart surgery on June 2.
We appreciate your prayers and we continue to need them.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CT Scan Finished
Or should this have been titled, "Another day, another procedure"? We are thankful that the CT Scan was completed and the recovery was lightening quick.
We should know soon (meaning in the next day or two hopefully) how Abby's sinus cavities look. If they are still full then we will have a sinus day procedure involving a balloon sometime before the heart surgery next Wednesday.
I think we have this Wednesday off from seeing doctors. We see an ENT on Thursday morning.
Jennifer and I are grateful that we are moving through the needed procedures and getting closer to the heart surgery. However, it is sad to see Abby know which foot to stick out for her hospital ankle bracelet and which foot to stick out for her oxygen monitor.
One interesting thing today is that Abby had two nurses who spoke Cantonese. Abby nicely smiled when she heard her native tongue but that was it. She is learning Texas English which is another sign that she is adapting well to her new country (Texas / United States) and home.
As always, thanks for your vital prayers.
We should know soon (meaning in the next day or two hopefully) how Abby's sinus cavities look. If they are still full then we will have a sinus day procedure involving a balloon sometime before the heart surgery next Wednesday.
I think we have this Wednesday off from seeing doctors. We see an ENT on Thursday morning.
Jennifer and I are grateful that we are moving through the needed procedures and getting closer to the heart surgery. However, it is sad to see Abby know which foot to stick out for her hospital ankle bracelet and which foot to stick out for her oxygen monitor.
One interesting thing today is that Abby had two nurses who spoke Cantonese. Abby nicely smiled when she heard her native tongue but that was it. She is learning Texas English which is another sign that she is adapting well to her new country (Texas / United States) and home.
As always, thanks for your vital prayers.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Heart Cath is Finished!
We are so excited that Abby was FINALLY able to have her heart / lung cath today. The doctor came out and verified that Abby has a large hole in her heart (we knew that) but everything else looked good. We are now here for the next 6-7 hours for recovery and then we head home.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tomorrow Starts Abby's Hospital Journey
Starting in the morning, the hospital journey begins for Abby. Here is the known schedule for this next week or so:
Jennifer, Abby and I need your prayers for a variety of reasons. These are really challenging times-to be kind. We will continue to update this blog when we can.
Most importantly, please continue to pray that Abby can have her heart surgery on June 1.
As always, thank you for walking and praying with us on the Abby Road.
- Monday, May 24-Heart and Lung Cath. We have to be at the hospital in the morning at 10a for the noon procedure. We won't be home until late in the evening.
- Tuesday, May 25-CT Scan. We have to be at the hospital at 6a for an 8a procedure. Should be home mid-afternoon.
- Sometime this week: Most likely a sinus procedure if she "fails" the CT Scan. Don't know more than that right now.
- As of now, we are still scheduled for Abby's heart procedure on June 1.
Jennifer, Abby and I need your prayers for a variety of reasons. These are really challenging times-to be kind. We will continue to update this blog when we can.
Most importantly, please continue to pray that Abby can have her heart surgery on June 1.
As always, thank you for walking and praying with us on the Abby Road.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
New Day Must Mean New Hospital Schedule
The good news is that Jennifer and Abby went to the lung specialist today and received a great report. (I am also excited that the Rangers are in 1st place by two games.) He was very pleased with how clear Abby's lungs sound, that her nose is running and that she is sneezing. All three were important to him for his own unique reasons. Jennifer and I are glad that there is no more of Abby's wet wheezing.
As of now, Abby's new schedule is coming into focus and it is a doozy. On May 24, Abby goes in to the hospital for her heart and lung cath day procedure. On May 25, Abby goes back to the hospital for a CT scan of her nasal passages-another day procedure. If that doesn't just go swimmingly, on May 26 Abby goes back to the hospital for her 3rd day procedure in a row. This one will incorporate a balloon to clear out her nasal passages. Then on June 2nd, she goes in for her heart surgery. Wow!
If anyone has suggestions on how to better ease a two year old out of anesthesia, we are all ears.
Jennifer and I are glad that God is in complete control. Otherwise, we would have already lost our sanity. The two weeks starting May 24 will be crazy and extremely difficult. Your prayers are vitally needed.
Thank you for praying for us.
As of now, Abby's new schedule is coming into focus and it is a doozy. On May 24, Abby goes in to the hospital for her heart and lung cath day procedure. On May 25, Abby goes back to the hospital for a CT scan of her nasal passages-another day procedure. If that doesn't just go swimmingly, on May 26 Abby goes back to the hospital for her 3rd day procedure in a row. This one will incorporate a balloon to clear out her nasal passages. Then on June 2nd, she goes in for her heart surgery. Wow!
If anyone has suggestions on how to better ease a two year old out of anesthesia, we are all ears.
Jennifer and I are glad that God is in complete control. Otherwise, we would have already lost our sanity. The two weeks starting May 24 will be crazy and extremely difficult. Your prayers are vitally needed.
Thank you for praying for us.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Abby's Upcoming Schedule-the Road Ahead
Now that we are home, a heavy regiment of breathing treatments, medicine and doctor appointments have become the regular routine. Also, we are learning how to take Abby out during non-busy times but otherwise keeping her isolated. This is our life for the next couple of months or so.
On the horizon, we take Abby back to the hospital in about 3 weeks to get another CT scan of her sinus cavities. While in the hospital we learned thru the 1st CT scan they are like 98% blocked. All of that jammed up mucus is a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, etc. If her sinuses are not substantially better, then we will have to have a day procedure on her sinuses. The doctors will run a balloon thru there to get everything cleaned out. We are obviously hoping this does not have to be done. If it does, we are praying they can knock Abby out once, perform the CT scan and immediately do the balloon procedure.
Right now, the week of June 7 is when the heart and lung cath and the open heart surgery is scheduled to happen. Of course, we can't set an appointment because the hospital is still not at full power yet so it is affecting their scheduling system. (Can you hear me silently screaming?) She will be in Pediatric ICU for about 4 days and then have two more days of recovery before being released. Then about 3 weeks of home recovery and Abby should be raring to go.
In all of this, we continue to covet your prayers. Jennifer needs the most of them right now because she is responsible for administering all of the breathing treatments, medicine, etc. And yes, please keep praying for a complete healing for Abby, no more viruses and that the surgery can happen on this new schedule. Also, pray for my mom and Jennifer's mom. Once Jennifer has to go back to work on May 24, they will be sitting with Abby Mon-Thu during the day. They will need patience and endurance.
On the horizon, we take Abby back to the hospital in about 3 weeks to get another CT scan of her sinus cavities. While in the hospital we learned thru the 1st CT scan they are like 98% blocked. All of that jammed up mucus is a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, etc. If her sinuses are not substantially better, then we will have to have a day procedure on her sinuses. The doctors will run a balloon thru there to get everything cleaned out. We are obviously hoping this does not have to be done. If it does, we are praying they can knock Abby out once, perform the CT scan and immediately do the balloon procedure.
Right now, the week of June 7 is when the heart and lung cath and the open heart surgery is scheduled to happen. Of course, we can't set an appointment because the hospital is still not at full power yet so it is affecting their scheduling system. (Can you hear me silently screaming?) She will be in Pediatric ICU for about 4 days and then have two more days of recovery before being released. Then about 3 weeks of home recovery and Abby should be raring to go.
In all of this, we continue to covet your prayers. Jennifer needs the most of them right now because she is responsible for administering all of the breathing treatments, medicine, etc. And yes, please keep praying for a complete healing for Abby, no more viruses and that the surgery can happen on this new schedule. Also, pray for my mom and Jennifer's mom. Once Jennifer has to go back to work on May 24, they will be sitting with Abby Mon-Thu during the day. They will need patience and endurance.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Update on Abby for May 3, 2010
It looks like we are going to be dismissed from the hospital in the next 24 hours. Like everything else, it could be tonight or in the morning-challenging to plan anything with that type of certainty. Oh well.
We did have a good discussion with Abby's heart surgeon. We also received guidance of when the procedure could take place-likely mid-June. We then had a good discussion with Abby's lung specialist doctor. We learned that Abby has incredibly stuffed up nasal passages, lots of bacteria, white blood cells and a warrior of a spirit.
All of this means that Abby is going on a strict regimen of breathing treatments, antibiotics, doctor visits and a pretty tightly controlled season of isolation. We may have to have a day procedure toward the end of May to clean out her sinuses if she doesn't make significant progress toward squeaky clean status.
We were blessed today by what James MacDonald wrote on his blog about trials and how to handle them. Check out this link: http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/
Please continue to pray for Abby and her healing along with patience and wisdom for her parents. We continue to appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement.
We did have a good discussion with Abby's heart surgeon. We also received guidance of when the procedure could take place-likely mid-June. We then had a good discussion with Abby's lung specialist doctor. We learned that Abby has incredibly stuffed up nasal passages, lots of bacteria, white blood cells and a warrior of a spirit.
All of this means that Abby is going on a strict regimen of breathing treatments, antibiotics, doctor visits and a pretty tightly controlled season of isolation. We may have to have a day procedure toward the end of May to clean out her sinuses if she doesn't make significant progress toward squeaky clean status.
We were blessed today by what James MacDonald wrote on his blog about trials and how to handle them. Check out this link: http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/
Please continue to pray for Abby and her healing along with patience and wisdom for her parents. We continue to appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Another Frustrating Detour on the Abby Road
Late today we were informed that Abby's heart and lung cath for tomorrow and her heart surgery on Wednesday have been cancelled. Something came back on a virus scan that has stopped everything.
As of now, it appears that Abby will be in the hospital until Tuesday. The doctor is ramping down her breathing treatments to something more "home manageable"-whatever that means.
We have no idea when the needed procedures will be rescheduled. We are very, very frustrated right now. All of this in the midst of being in a hospital who chose this weekend to upgrade their power systems. The hospital is running on backup power. This means no lights in Abby's room and the hospital is issuing flashlights. Then today, they had a major fire breakout so there is no estimation when the hospital will have power. Crazy.
Once Abby comes home, the doctor is putting severe restrictions on Abby and to a somewhat lesser degree on Jenn and me. We will have to wait and see what that means and how it plays itself out. With the three of us being social creatures, the term "isolation for May" is a scary term.
A positive note, Abby is no longer wet wheezing while breathing. We are thankful for that advancement.
As of now, it appears that Abby will be in the hospital until Tuesday. The doctor is ramping down her breathing treatments to something more "home manageable"-whatever that means.
We have no idea when the needed procedures will be rescheduled. We are very, very frustrated right now. All of this in the midst of being in a hospital who chose this weekend to upgrade their power systems. The hospital is running on backup power. This means no lights in Abby's room and the hospital is issuing flashlights. Then today, they had a major fire breakout so there is no estimation when the hospital will have power. Crazy.
Once Abby comes home, the doctor is putting severe restrictions on Abby and to a somewhat lesser degree on Jenn and me. We will have to wait and see what that means and how it plays itself out. With the three of us being social creatures, the term "isolation for May" is a scary term.
A positive note, Abby is no longer wet wheezing while breathing. We are thankful for that advancement.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Abby Visitation
Jennifer and I are thankful for the many kind emails that contain encouragement, prayers and offer to help. We need both the prayers and encouragement-this is rugged. We will be taking up your offers to help once we are out of the hospital.
On the visitation front, please let me be clear and kind. Right now, we are asking for NO visitors. Abby is in a critical phase of her treatment and needs to be kept in isolation except from family.
Once she is done with her surgery on Wednesday, we should be able to accept visitors. We appreciate your understanding with this.
We do love getting your emails, texts, Tweets and Facebook posts. We most cherish your prayers.
On the visitation front, please let me be clear and kind. Right now, we are asking for NO visitors. Abby is in a critical phase of her treatment and needs to be kept in isolation except from family.
Once she is done with her surgery on Wednesday, we should be able to accept visitors. We appreciate your understanding with this.
We do love getting your emails, texts, Tweets and Facebook posts. We most cherish your prayers.
Upper GI and MBS completed
This morning Abby had the joy of drinking bubble gum flavored barium so the speech-path (under the very close inspection of Abby's speech-path mom) could do the MBS and Upper GI. These procedures were needed to verify that Abby was able to swallow and was not aspirating on anything. All of the tests came back good. We are thankful.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers and encouraging words.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers and encouraging words.
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