Thursday, January 17, 2013

January 17

Elsie came through her PDA ligation surgery today to repair her heart murmur with flying colors. Clayton and his dad were able to give her a priesthood blessing last night. I wasn't feeling terribly worried until this morning, when the surgeon called to get my official consent to operate. He told me that the biggest risk was the chance of her blood vessel tearing, which could cause her to bleed to death very quickly. He said that the vein was extremely delicate, almost like wet tissue paper, and that with her body being so small, if the vein tore then she could die within two heartbeats. What am I supposed to say to that?? "Oh sure, that sounds great, go right ahead, just try and be careful." Ugh. Doctors.

So after that bombshell, I was pretty scared and cried most of the way to the hospital, sure that I would never see my little girl alive and well. But, lo and behold, before I even got to the hospital parking lot, the doctor called me again and said that they were already done, and that Elsie was fine. I love doctors!

The operation was performed through a small incision on her left side. They spread her ribs apart, moved her left lung out of the way, and somehow reached the vein and clamped it shut. Her blood pressure is a little low, so they are giving her medication to bring it back up, and she is also receiving pain medication to allow her to rest and heal without being in pain.

Thank you for your many prayers, kind words, and positive thoughts. We couldn't do it without you!

Recovering after surgery. The bruises on her face and head are mostly gone.

18 comments:

  1. Glad to hear she made through ok.

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  2. We have been praying for her in every prayer....Grace and Lilly finally picked up on it and prayed for her without prompting last night. :) Hugs to all of you!

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  3. I'm so glad Clayton could give her a blessing. It is nice to know what we can pray for specifically. Congratulations on such a great thing.

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  4. So glad to hear she came through so well! Especially as tomorrow is her 2nd week birthday!! Way to go Elsie!

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  5. We are so glad that everything went well. I love this blog, I wish I would have done one during our NICU journey. Not only does it update everyone but then you can print it out to put in a book later. I don't know if your nurses/doctors have told you yet but we were always told it was a good thing our babies were girls because girls are fighters & have something to prove & boys are lazy & don't always have the fight in them. So on that note, WAY TO GO BABY ELSIE!!! KEEP A FIGHTING BABY GIRL!!!

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    1. I know, lots of people have told us that girls are fighters and it makes Clayton kind of annoyed. He's like, "What if we had a boy, then we would feel so bad that our little boy wasn't a fighter." Kinda funny :)

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  6. We are so glad that everything went well. I love this blog, I wish I would have done one during our NICU journey. Not only does it update everyone but then you can print it out to put in a book later. I don't know if your nurses/doctors have told you yet but we were always told it was a good thing our babies were girls because girls are fighters & have something to prove & boys are lazy & don't always have the fight in them. So on that note, WAY TO GO BABY ELSIE!!! KEEP A FIGHTING BABY GIRL!!!

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  7. Three cheers for the great medical personnel who are taking such great care of Elsie! Certainly our prayers have been going out for them as well as for Else herself.
    I'm grateful for this blog, too, so we can keep updated on her progress even when we're out of town. It will be good when we're back and can come see her (and all of you) again! Love and prayers from both of us.

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  8. Had I known that this post was going to make me sob like a baby, I would have made sure I had a Kleenex with me. I am so relieved that she made it through with flying colors! Also so grateful that Clayton and his dad were able to give her a blessing! Can't wait to see her after I get over this cold I finally caught. Love you Ruthie and Clayton! Keep fighting baby Elsie! Aunt Brenda loves you!

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  9. What a sweet little miracle baby. So glad she's such a trooper and hanging so tough. Love you guys!

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  10. Wow, I am just in amazement of your strength and hers. Go baby Elsie! I am just entering my 23rd week, and I canmot even fathom thst you went into labor at this time. I love your post. Praying for you guys.
    Love ya!

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    1. I know, Karri, i couldn't fathom going into labor at 23 weeks either!! Let's just say that it took me by surprise :) I hope you and all of your cuties are doing well.

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  11. Oh those docs are so matter of fact sometimes! Glad everything went smoothly!! We had a doc who did a intestinal surgery on Camryn say, oh I removed her appendix at the same time, hope that was okay! :-) yup, I guess that was okay!
    Way to go little girl :-) what a sweetheart!

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  12. She looks amazing! What a little blessing she already is!
    So many people are praying for her and you, as well. She is responding well. Hang in there, mom and dad!

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  13. She looks bigger and stronger every day. Way to go baby girl!

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  14. She looks bigger and stronger every day. Way to go baby girl!

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  15. She looks bigger and stronger every day. Way to go baby girl!

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