Monday, August 04, 2008

Post op pics and update

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I'm not sure everyone would agree, but Emma really does look great.  Let's see if I was listening close enough when the nurse explained everything to me... The thing on her forehead is measuring the O2 in her brain.  The tubes in her nose are the ventilator.  On her neck is a line going to the heart (circular shaped white disc).  On her chest there are EKG leads that monitor the rhythm of her heart.  There's also two blue discs with wires coming from her chest and those are the pacemaker wires, those connect to a small box on either side of her then have larger wires that go to a box at the foot of the bed which is the external pacemaker.  The tube is a drain tube from the chest, yes that's blood please don't pass out reading my blog!  She has a central line which takes constant BP's in the heart and might serve some other purpose too... I think... On her left arm the white gauze is covering her PICC line which goes to the heart and will be the access point long-term (however long we're here we hope) so that they don't have to keep doing IV's.  In her left hand is another IV but it's not hooked up to anything at the moment.  She also has a pulse-ox wrap on her left thumb.  On her right hand is an arterial line which is an IV basically, but in an artery not a vein.  She also has a pulse-ox on that thumb.  She has a splint on that arm so she won't bend it with the a-line in.  Both her arms are restrained and I'm SO THANKFUL she was never restrained in Ukraine or I would feel horrible for that-- but she is SO QUICK that I know she'd mess with stuff if she could.  She has a catheter which has a thermometer on it so 2 for 1 there.  And a blood pressure cuff on her left ankle which usually correlates with the arterial pressures.

Emma got some blood which was a mixture of her own blood and 'pump blood' from the surgery afterward and is now on Milrinone and Dopamine and then pain meds as necessary.

Emma has stirred a few times but is being kept sedated for a while.  She's not breathing against the vent so they plan to keep her on it a while, probably try to get it out in the morning.  She just stirred enough to get some morphine and her BP was elevated so she seems to be resting better now.   They're going to kick me out from 7-9 for shift change (HIPPA stuff, they're open rooms and we can't hear what's up with other patients).  I think Mike and I are going to go out to eat, just the two of us, and celebrate our little girl. 

God is good... all the time.

46 comments:

  1. Lots of wires and machines, but WOW, what a beautiful sight!
    Enjoy your dinner, the two of you have earned it.

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  2. Thanks for the updates. She looks great. I've never seen a vent tube in the nose before! I will be praying for more smooth sailing.

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  3. She looks good. You are very educated on all those wires and tubes. Enjoy your dinner. It is a wonderful reason to celebrate!!!!

    Thank you for the pictures.

    Love, Mom C

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  4. Thanks for the updates. Kayla didn't have any heart issues, so the pics made me cry. But glad she is doing well. Prayers for a smooth recovery. Enjoy your dinner!

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  5. I am so happy and relieved and joyous to see her there looking so good (I am a heart surgery mom too, and she DOES look good). Thank you for the updates. I hope the recovery is fast.

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  6. I agree, she does look good. I'm so glad you've had such wonderful news today. I see you've earned your medical degree today too. We will continue the prayers. Thank you so much for the updates.

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  7. wow lots of machines and wires

    keep fighting Emma!

    love and hugz

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  8. Emma does look good for what she just went through. I have been praying since early this a.m. I will continue. You are a trooper being able to explain all those wires, buttons, etc. She is such a beautiful child I could just squeeze her! :)

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  9. She does look good for a girl who just had major surgery. I am so grateful to God that she is doing so well, so relieved and happy for her.

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  10. We are continuing to send our prayers from Canada. Emma looks so brave.

    Anjie (mom to Adam)

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  11. GOD is GOOD!

    His favor is definitely shining upon Emma right now. She looks like an angel.

    Enjoy your dinner, what a CELEBRATION!

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  12. Oh, this is such beautiful news!!!! I am so very happy that Emma's heart is fixed!!!

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  13. All of us heart moms know that she looks great! Whew! Keep up the good work God! We are loving it!!

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  14. Oh, Meredith! I am crying happy, happy tears! The kids and I have been praying for Emma all day long and I am praising God that she came through this surgery with such flying colors! We will continue to pray that she recovers quickly so that you can all go home and be reunited as a family soon!

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  15. God is good...all the time...amen!!! Tears of joy to see her, she looks great! What an awesome testimony of God's amazing power to see how well she is doing. Praise God! Thanks for the updates, she'll be home in no time!

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  16. Oh I am so glad she is doing so well! I am an "outsider" to kids' heart issues and even I think she looks great! Thanks be to God! Will keep praying!

    Heather

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  17. We pray for a complete and speedy recovery for Emma and your entire family.
    Robyn and Chaim Schneider

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  18. She looks wonderful! So pleased to see the pictures. The central line can be used for some of the potential PH drugs, too. We declined those drugs and went with PO drugs. (Didn't want to risk the infection that sometimes happens with the central line)

    Hope you are enjoying a wonderful dinner and I hope you get a great nights sleep. (I'm sure last night was not very restful)

    Jan

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  19. Her color looks great!

    Thanks be to God!

    Continued prayers.

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  20. I've been checking your blog all day for updates. I've been praying for your precious one and all your family every since your adoption journey began and I will continue to pray.

    I think Emma's color is so much better even after the major surgery. Her little heart was working so hard to nourish her body with oxegen, she looked so pale before....but now.... WOW she is beautiful.

    I'm praying that Miss Emma will come off the vent with flying colors and that there will be doctor's and nurses to witness God's awesome miracles once more. I'm sure that the nurse who didn't think she would come off the machine and vent has seen these situations in the past....but today, she's seen the hand of our Heavenly Father, and I have no doubt that He is using it to touch so many through this precious, beautiful little girl and her family.

    Many prayers, hugs and love to you and your family...

    Blessings to your family,
    baileyshome (from downsyn)

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  21. She does look good!! I'm so happy for her and you guy's.We serve a mighty God, who is still in the mircle business and he is worthy of our praise and our thank's!!!!

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  22. The pics brought back many memories for me, I'm sure for you too with B. But now that you know she is doing better than expected must make you all feel good. PRayers are still with you. God bless
    April

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  23. Thanks for the update, Meredith! She DOES look great! Such a sweet little girl you have there :o)

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  24. What a little fighter your Emma is. I'm so happy her surgery went so well. She is constantly in my thoughts, as is all her family.
    best wishes from Australia

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  25. Indeed. GOD IS GREAT! I'm so thankful to read all this wonderful news today!

    Thank you Lord Jesus!

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  26. beautiful pictures; beautiful girl...a true miracle in all senses of the word.

    enjoy your dinner and best wishes for a restful night.

    debbie and binny

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  27. She looks great! Those pics did bring back some memories, and also gave me hope for Emma. It amazing the transformation we all see after such a necessary surgery. My mom kept me updated all day while I was at work. It was great getting happy news. Enjoy your dinner.

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  28. We are so excited at the miracle of Emma! We are praising God! Lauren asked if we could have a celebration when Emma feels better. So, we'll get that on the calendar when Emma is ready to play! She already has it planned with clean rooms, balloons, decorations, and cupcakes! I hope you had a wonderful celebration dinner. It is always great to celebrate life!

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  29. Meredith and Mike,

    How wonderfu, how awesome is our God. He knew just what he was doing when he led you to her! She's a blessed little girl and how much joy and hope she has brought to so many of us! Hope you have a peaceful night.
    Hugs, Linda from RR

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  30. I think she looks great! Hopefully she will get all of that off soon and you will be able to hold her. I can't imagine the day you have had. Enjoy dinner.

    Kayla

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  31. I'm so happy to hear she is doing so well! What a blessing!

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  32. Thanks so much for the updates. Emma looks good. Praise the Lord!

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  33. I so understand what you mean when you say she looks good with all those wires in. It takes me back to the time I first saw Miranda after her surgery..... she looked healthier with all the wires than she ever did before!

    I am so happy for all of your family and Emma that she made it through another hurdle! That girl is a fighter and will keep on showing all of us how much!

    Jane

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  34. I remember when we saw Lacey after her open heart and I said the same thing. OMG she looks great lol!! Only a mom or dad could really tell but I think Emma looks fabulous and will look even better when she looses all her jewerly(that is what our girls called it).. I am so happy for your family and send you continued prayers that all goes well and she has a speedy recovery!!

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  35. Wow. I've been holding my breath for this kind of update--I'm thrilled that she made it through so well so far! Sounds like she's quite a little fighter! This is wonderful news.

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  36. Praise the Lord, what amazingly wonderful news! He has done it!!

    Jill from RR
    www.wherelearningflows.blogspot.com

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  37. Don't know that I've ever seen her more beautiful! Holding you all in prayer that you all have a good night. God bless.

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  38. WOW...I agree..she looks good..Praying for you to get some rest tonight...still praying for that little princess and thanks again for keeping us up to date! I would call but I don't want to interupt, you have my number if you want to talk :)

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  39. So glad that she is doing well. She does look good. We will continue to pray for sweet Emma today. ((HUGS))

    Pa, amd Rhett

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  40. I'm out of town but nabbed a computer so I could check in on you guys. I'm so thankful to God that everything went so well today. I will continue to pray for a smooth road!

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  41. How wonderful to see her doing so well! She is so strong but her mommy and daddy are strong too! I will keep praying for a smooth recovery for miss Emma!

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  42. God IS good...all the time. I'm just tickled to see how great she looks!!! Enjoy your dinner, Meridith and Mike!

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  43. It all looks very familiar, it means a lot to see her get this far! It's hard to leave her to go out but I would always imagine my child surrounded by angels. God bless Emma.
    Dolores

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  44. My heart goes out to you guys to see your little angel so hooked up to everything....
    I'm so glad that she has good color and is doing alright!
    I have to say that I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about heart surgeries from reading your blog - hehe! If we ever have a problem.. we know we'll be calling ya!

    Hugs!
    Amy

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