Monday, August 04, 2008

The details

We got to talk with Dr. Q and the biggest and best thing that he said is that it is completely unexplainable that her lung pressures are as low as they are!  We know it was wholly the power of prayers for Emma.  A typical pressure ratio of body to lungs is that the lungs are 1/4 of the body.  Emma's are still high- on the moderate side, but he was expecting it to be twice what it is.  Her lungs are about 1/2 of the body pressures, so we still have a ways to go, but YAY! It's unexplainable :)  I replied to him with no... it's prayer :)  He agrees!! :D

Ok, details, (we still haven't seen her) they did a FULL REPAIR!  We weren't sure whether they'd need to leave a hole open in order to help with the PH, but he didn't need to because the PH was so much better than he thought.

He addressed what Dr.S had said to him in April after the cath when she said that Emma was inoperable.  He said that she had an opinion that the PH was severe and irreversible.  He said that he knew that her life wouldn't be more than a few more months without it and agrees with Dr. Nadkarni that if she's not going to live without the repair that it's definitely a reason to try it, and boy was he glad that he did!  Her heart is fully repaired, her PH is better than he could have imagined, and GOD has proven himself through this all!

The other little details...  There's some leakage in valves... I want to say he said the left valve- too much info all at the same time- and that as long as it stays like it is it's good to go.  It's possible that she'll need more work later on for the valves, but it's hard to guess at this point.

She came off the nitrates, which are dilators to my understanding, so that's another positive thing.  Also, he said that she does have moderate PVOD (see prior post but I don't have time to link it right now) but it seems that the arteries in the lungs are relaxing how they should- which means that it wasn't irreversible damage to the lungs-- at least not completely.

He mentioned going home on medications for the PH but I was just glad he was talking about going home.  We'll figure that all out over the next few weeks.

Dr. Q said this is only the second repair like this that he's done in the past 20 years and was so glad everything turned out like it did!

More later, hopefully we'll get to see her pretty soon!

42 comments:

  1. OH how awesome! Praise God! I can't wait for you to get to see your little princess again. Thanks for keeping us all up to date!

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  2. The power of prayer never ceases to amaze me!! Thanks be to God that she is out and doing so well! We couldn't be happier for you, Meredith and Mike. Looking forward to more good news.
    :-)
    Theresa

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  3. God is good, isn't He? Hugs and prayers for all- thanks for the updates and the details....I'm just beaming through happy tears!

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  4. God is good, isn't He? Hugs and prayers for all- thanks for the updates and the details....I'm just beaming through happy tears!

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  5. I've got goosebumps....THANK YOU God for showing us another miracle in the life of a precious child!!!! I hope you get to see her real soon - I know you can't wait!!!!

    Praying for continued healing and recovery!!!

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  6. wonderful sweet relief
    ---Jen

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  7. All I can say is wow Love Mom

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  8. All I can say is Praise God, He is great!! Im so glad everything has gone so well and hope that things continue to go even better. I know you probabaly won't have time to respond to this ? but do you know how long she is supposed to be o n the vent? Thank you so much for finding time to update she has been on my mind and in my prayers ALL day long. I hope that you will be able to see her real soon.

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  9. Wowie! This is, as Hannah would say, "Extra-Super-Double Wow!"

    Prayers of thanksgiving, and for a smooth extubation and recovery.

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  10. Wonderful news!!! It definitely was prayer!!Give Emma a kiss for me when you can.

    Looking forward to more great news.

    Love,
    Mom C

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  11. Definitely not unexplainable! Prayer is truly amazing. :)

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  12. What a wonderful update! I just love it when God shows off :)

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  13. yay!!! Thank you Lord!! I have been praying and thinking of you three ALL day! I feel so relieved that she did so well, I can only Imagine how you and Mike are feeling! I thank you so very much for your updates, and I look forwards to more good news in the days to come! :)

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  14. WOW!! Emma has the same pressures as Darah, and you know how well Darah is handling those pressures!! That is amazing to me! PRAISE GOD! We will continue to pray for Emma's recovery and for all of you! Thanks for the update! I've been anxiously refreshing my google reader! XXOO!!

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  15. Again I say, YAY GOD!!!! 'Unexplainable?' Well...only if you try to use the limiting human/clinical/medical terms! We know EXACTLY why! Happy tears here. :-D

    ~S in PB

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  16. Oh Meredith I just have chills reading this! I am so happy for you and for little Emma - she is a miracle!! :)

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  17. How awesome!! We are praying for Emma!!

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  18. I'm so happy I could cry!

    It is probably the mitral valve as this is the valve that generally leaks after this surgery. The mitral valve is the one that Mercede had replaced almost two years ago and has done so much better after the replacement. I know Cheyenne had leakage from the tricuspid and the mitral but hers was mild in both and will never require surgery. so fell confident that if there is a replacement of the valve later that she will probably do really good.

    Continued prayers.

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  19. Oh my gosh, this is all so awesome. You guys have to have the feeling of a freight train lifted off your chests! I can't wait for you to see her ... yay!

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  20. How anybody does not believe in God after hearing stories like Miss Emma's, is beyond me! This is our Heavenly Father at work, doing His finest! I am just so elated for you all!!! I can't wait for you to be able to see her!!!

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  21. Love those details!

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  22. this is great news. I have been waiting all morning for an update. Praying for all of you and a speedy recovery. Hugs. Tammy RR

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  23. Absolutely amazing!!! Keep the good news coming!!! Can't wait to hear you've gotten to see her!

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  24. Slava Bogu! What an amazing testimony! You are still in our prayers! God bless you and her recovery!

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  25. everytime I check in you have updated...thank you thank you for taking us with you, she has been on my mind all day and I am so glad that everything is better than they initially thought, I cannot imagine not having these updates from you :P. Amazing how many are praying for her, God is truly hearing us all.
    AMEN EMMA! HUGS!

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  26. Wonderful News!!!!!!

    Jan

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  27. Yay, yay, yay!! Praise God! We are rejoicing with you! Thanks for updating so often (keep it up!). Still praying for you all!

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  28. Oh Meredith, that is awesome news. God does provide miracles. I wish Aunt Jean could have still been there to witness your happiness.
    We missed you all at the reunion, but the importance of Emma's health certainly took first priority. Hopefully we can come and see all of you and see how beautifully the children are growing.
    Our love to you all
    Our prayers will continue for you as Emma gains her strength and hopefully soon you will allbe able to head for home.
    Saw great pictures of all of you from last week.
    Love, Aunt Dottie and Uncle Walt

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  29. Crying tears of happiness.....God & prayers are soooooooo amazing....Praying for a speedy recovery...Hugs & prayers for sweet Emma, Meredith, Mike & family

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  30. I am so thankful! What an answer to prayer! Thank you for taking the time to post and let us know. Carolyn

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  31. I am so excited to read this! You must be feeling so thankful right now!! God is amazing, and just keeps using your sweet girl to bring Him glory!

    ~Julie (RR group)

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  32. Meredith - Great news! Thanks for the update! We have been thinking of her all day today and will continue to in the days and weeks to come :o)

    Michelle (RR)

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  33. i am in awe of the God who has shown ALL of us just how mighty He truly is.

    i'm crying right now, reading about Emma doing as well as she is, a little girl who has a chance at life when the doctors were saying so recently that nothing could be done for her.

    God has such plans for little Emma... first He got her out of the orphanage, just in time... into a family that loves her so very much... and then He showed you the way to doctors who would take that chance and try to give her a shot at life... and now He has carried her through the surgery and she's doing so much better than they thought.

    i've seen miracles in my life... including God keeping me alive when medically i shouldn't be here & in situations i shouldn't have gotten out of... but this surpasses them all. i am humbled and amazed, and of course overjoyed for you, your family, and especially Emma.

    keep us posted as you can... let us know how to be praying... you've got so many people & the power of Almighty God on your side.

    love & prayers,
    - michelle

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  34. Such wonderful news!

    Hugs to all!
    Amy

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  35. Thank God!!! That is Great Meredith! Many Continued Prayers for Emma's Recovery!

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  36. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways. Prayers are truly one of the most powerful medicines. We will continue with our prayers now for continued and quick recovery. Nancy T. in Lexington, Ky.

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  37. My prayers are with your family. We went through something very similar last week. My son also had open heart surgery, and it was the scariest day of my life. But we have made it through; I pray that your family quickly and safely reached that point.

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  38. Prayer is powerful, PTL for Emma's surgical results, may she continue to improve daily. Our best to your whole family

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  39. We have been praying for Emma and all of you to have the strength to get thru. I am so glad things are going well and will continue to keep you all in my prayers.

    Donna

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  40. Praise God! I have been praying all day for you all. I will continue to pray for ALL of your strength!

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  41. Praise God she is going to be okay!!!!!! I know that she will be making a quick recovery. There is nothing like the power of Christians praying. She will be covered.
    Tammy

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