Surgery Date Set

Okay, so the date for Aaris's surgery is set for April 10. We were expecting it to be the last week in March, but when the doctor found out that my birthday was that week, he suggested 2 weeks later (he will be gone the week in between). At first I said it didn't matter, but then decided to go with the April date because I know that it will probably be a date we celebrate every year, and I would like it to be set apart from, and not lost in my birthday.

We did find out that there will be a little more to the surgery than originally thought. With Aaris's type of congenital heart disease, primum ADS (hole between the right and left atriums...low in location), they have discovered that there is also always a cleft mitral valve (valve between the left atrium and left ventricle). While this valve is working okay now and not leaking, a large percentage do start to leak and not work well later on in life. This would later require another open heart surgery. So, instead of risking having to have another surgery later in life, the surgeon is going to fix the cleft now. It can be a little more risky, but hopefully not as risky as a later surgery. We are very blessed to have a doctor who has had much training and experience in this mitral valve surgery.

Of course we were hit with a lot of information. The doctor is Dr. Ken Fox. We really like him. He has 3 girls of his own and was wonderful to Aaris. He explained all the risks, but expressed that it seemed less risky for Aaris to have those complications. He of course has to tell them to us. If I didn't keep God in the forefront of my mind, I would be really freaking out right now. I can feel my nerves more on edge, but hopefully I will only try to listen to God's words right now instead of the devil's fears. Just please pray for no complications and that the surgery will be done in a timely manner. Some of the risks included needing a pace-maker, the cleft surgery making things worse than better, needing to give her extra blood, taking too long/being on bypass too long resulting in the brain, kidneys and heart having complications, and infections afterwards. And of course there is the worst case scenario and we will not even think that.

Along with prayers for Aaris physically, I also strongly request that you send up prayers for her spiritually. She is a very, very, very faithful prayer and believer. I anticipate some hard questions like, "Why is she still in pain if I already prayed?". Please pray for Aaron and I to listen to the Holy Spirit and know the right answers to give her in order to keep her faith strong. Today she saw some pictures of a little girl and baby in the hospital and with all their tubes, ivies, and scars right after their surgery and I think it shocked her a little. She just got a little quiet for awhile. Pray for calmness and trust in God on her part.

Okay, so a little more logistics. This kind of surgery typically lasts around 4 hours. Aaris will probably be in the hospital for 5-7 days. If she recovers well, she could be sent home only taking Tylenol or Motrin!! She will probably need to take it easy for a week after coming home, and not doing any seriously physical playing (jungle gym, etc.) for 4 more weeks, but then be well enough to do most normal things after that. Isn't that amazing!!! She will have to go in for a pre-op four days before the surgery. She will also be set up with a hospital tour.

Okay, so that's all I can seem to remember to write for now. Again, remember that it is a blessing that they found this and that with a successful surgery she will be able to have a healthy heart the rest of her life. Thank you all for your support, love, and encouragement. And, please keep sending up those prayers and petitions to God.

Much love,
Jessica