Saturday, August 13, 2011

Prayers, good thoughts and virtual hugs requested

This is my first blog post on my iPhone, so let's see how it goes.

You know how I've been working on my daughters birthday party, right? I've bought all of the food, made the decorations, made her a dress, everything needed for a super awesome first birthday party. But instead of her being the guest of honor at her party, instead she's going to be having surgery.

I won't write all of the history, nor am I coherent enough to try and figure out how to make a link, but you can look up the post titled "Ava's Story". Quick cliff notes, she was born with gastroschisis, where the abdominal wall doesn't close in utero and babies are born with their intestines on the outside. Ava had a significant amount out, so it took 4 surgeries to close her up.

We knew that gastroschisis isn't a one time thing. There is always complications for future issues. But I guess hubby and I were hopeful that it wouldn't have any further complications.

On Thursday night, hubby went to the airport to pick up his dad. Ava wouldn't go to bed, just kept fussing. I tried to rock her, sing to her, etc. None of the tricks were working. They got back at 10:30 and when hubby picked her up, ava started retching. No, she can't vomit because of a surgery she had to fix a hiatal hernia, so she just does a really violent looking dry heave. Hubby said he would stay up with her so I went to bed. I woke up at 3am and he wasn't in bed yet, so I got up. ava was still retching, but every few minutes or so. I called our dr; and he said to bring her to a hospital in Dallas and he would call ahead for us.

We checked into the ER and they start IV fluids and do xrays. xrays showed a large mass in her stomach. So they put a NG tube in her nose down to her stomach, which pulls out any fluids or gas. As soon as they got it in, 75 ccs immediately came up the tube Into the canister. A total of 150 came up before we left the ER.

The dr on staff called the original surgeon who did the surgeries to get his opinion and we were admitted. They did a barium test, and it shows that she has a large obstruction in her intestines (a complication from her gastroschisis). They did a total of 5 xrays to see if it would pass and while it did move a little bit, it's still stuck.

So Ava will be going into surgery this morning at 8:30. No clue on surgery length since it depends on what they find in there. No clue on recovery time, could be days to weeks. Again, depends on what they find.

I have peace in knowing that it's the same surgeon she's always had, who is one of the best in the area. I have comfort in knowing that so many people are praying for us. I hope you will say a prayer too. If you don't pray? Then send us good thoughts and a virtual hug.

It's funny. I was so stressed with making her party perfect. It's funny how life reminds you what your priorities are.


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27 people love me:

Anna@Directions Not Included said... [Reply to comment]

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Best wishes for the surgery. Big hugs.

Samantha {Moody Mama} said... [Reply to comment]

My thoughts and prayer are with you all. Sending big hugs too.

EllensCreativePassage said... [Reply to comment]

Hopefully Miss Ava will be up and running around soon! That party will wait! Prayers...

Rachel D @ Just Sew Y'all Know said... [Reply to comment]

You get all 3: prayers, good thoughts, and virtual hugs.

Laurie in SC said... [Reply to comment]

Oh, Jennifer!!!!! I am so so sorry your little Miss (and y'all) are going through all this!! But I and so grateful God is providing your family with the wisdom and caregivers you need at this exact time. Prayers being said for you today and hugs being sent!!! Love from Laurie at Scene of the Grime
http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com

1129design said... [Reply to comment]

my biggest virtual hug to you and ava from italy! nicoletta

Britt Woytko said... [Reply to comment]

Lots of love and prayers to you. The party will wait and it will be all the more special when you realize how lucky you are to spend it with family and those that are closest to you.

HUGS!!

Kris @ everywhereorange.com said... [Reply to comment]

Sending lots of good thoughts and hugs your way!

Michelle @ Dibble Dabble Life said... [Reply to comment]

Oh Jennifer I am thinking and praying for you all. Many hugs from me to all of you.

Laurie in SC said... [Reply to comment]

Just wanted to let you know (not that it is important in the least with what's going on with you today) that I just awarded you a blog award on my blog today here:
http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-101-award-did-you-win.html
Don't worry about passing it along, just wanted to honor you for making me happy with your blog! Thinking of you and yours!
Laurie from Scene of the Grime

Catherine @ Cat on a Limb said... [Reply to comment]

My thoughts and prayers are with Ava, you and your family. She is so strong, no doubt she will recover quickly.

Kquizzle said... [Reply to comment]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ava and your family!

Helen said... [Reply to comment]

Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry. I'm definitely sending thoughts and virtual hugs your way.

mercy said... [Reply to comment]

So sad to hear that Ava is having surgery but she will be in my thoughts & praying that everything goes well with the little angel. Virtual hugs to the family..

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said... [Reply to comment]

So sorry to hear your news. My heart goes out to Ava and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims said... [Reply to comment]

Aw Jen this makes me so sad! Ava is just the cutest thing ever. I'll pray for you guys! Hope everything turns out alright. Bloggy hugs <3 <3

Michelle said... [Reply to comment]

Praying for little Ava and for you!

cheryl @ nefotlak. said... [Reply to comment]

oh no. sending loads and loads of vitual hugz and healing vibes from way down here. thinking of you guys.
cheryl xox.
(australia)

cheryl @ nefotlak. said... [Reply to comment]

oops - should check before i hit send - that would be VIRTUAL hugz.
xox

LP aka A Crafty Southern Chick said... [Reply to comment]

Lots of love, hugs, and prayers coming to you from SC! xo

Leighann

Leeann said... [Reply to comment]

Wow, Deja vu! My daughter was born with Gastroschis so your story is really hitting home for me. Her first 2 years were the most challenging in my life, but it may give you hope to know that she is now 20 with no complications at all. I will keep her in my prayers.

Happy first birthday, Ava!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

oh, dear... I hope everything will go more than perfect, and recovery time will be as short as possible. she'll have the best late birthday party ever, pretty soon! keep us updated on how she's doing, i know blogging isn't a priority, but take a minute to say 'everything is all right'... ok? hugs. like real hugs, not the virtual kind.... xox d.

Julie said... [Reply to comment]

Can't wait to see you later! Ava is one tough cookie and I'm so glad she came through surgery with flying colors!!! You are right it is amazing how we are reminded of our priorities, but at the same time it also shows you how many people care about your beautiful family!

emilyacarver said... [Reply to comment]

You, Ava, and your family are definately in our prayers. We are sending you tons of good thoughts and ::hugs::

Sam | Away She Went said... [Reply to comment]

Big virtual hug! Sending good thoughts your way!

-Lidy said... [Reply to comment]

Definitely praying and sending virtual hugs. Ava's party will be all the more special when she has recovered. :)

Brandi said... [Reply to comment]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes to Ava. Sending you a Big hug. visiting from the diy showoff.