Hi everyone,
Sorry we haven’t updated, but we really haven’t had any news until very recently; so here you go.
The surgeon stopped and talked to us this morning, and we are going in for surgery on Tuesday at 7:30 am. They were very surprised at the amount of growth in the ventricle in Natalie’s heart, as it has grown over 30% since we were here last. The volume in the left ventricle in a normal heart is between 40 and 60, and the volume in Natalie’s is now 52.
Well Brad just handed over the computer to me, so I guess you are all stuck picking out the pieces of information about her surgery from my jibber jabber. He can go figure out how we are going to watch the Viking games tomorrow.
Natalie’s cath went very well yesterday, and she is slowly recovering today. It’s been along day and she is still a bit agitated and unsettled. Her little throat is still a bit sore so she sounds a bit horse. Brad says she is practicing her quail calling.
We have learned over the past year to not ever make plans based on the first statement that the Doctors make. This applies to check out times, doctors round times, meeting with doctors and of course, the next step. In this case we are happy to know that the first plans that the doctors had are not what will happened next. After speaking with Dr. Del nido today we are happy to hear the numbers and know that Natalie is ready to move forward. As Brad mentioned, her numbers from the MRI are very good. Natalie’s heart has grown over 30 percent and her blood volume in here left side is now at 52. He also said that currently Natalie’s left ventricle is already doing 60 percent of the work. This is great news. In previous discussion they talked about recruiting part of Natalie’s right ventricle to work with the left, but since her left is of adequate volume and function they feel there is no need to do that. That procedure would have been very intrusive and would have been a more difficult recovery so we are thankful that we will not have to do that. Dr. Del nido feels that once she makes it through this surgery there would not be the need to another surgery. Amen. So Tuesday we move forward. It’s going to be a long few weeks, but we know that it’s the best for Natalie and she is stronger and bigger now and as always God is with her.
It’s amazing to look back of over the past year and see exactly where God has had his hands on our journey with Natalie. We were very fortunate to find out about her condition at 20 weeks of gestation and plan for her arrival in Minneapolis. Our surgeon at U of Minnesota encouraged us to not have the stage 1 surgery, but instead elect for the Hybrid procedure that would allow increased blood to Natalie’s left ventricle to help it grow. (His idea was not fully supported by other staff, but Brad and I both felt it was the way we should approach Natalie’s heart repair. The goal was to have 2 ventricles and not 1 at the end of this. Thank you Dr. St. Louis for giving us this option!) Doctors in Boston agreed to take her case and they have been fabulous. Brad and I are both so blessed to work for wonderful organizations that put family first; not only by words, but in action. Brad will be able to stay here in Boston with Natalie and I thanks to MDU and the YMCA. Our family might not be home for Christmas but we will all be together. God has been working overtime for us in this season of our lives; and we have much more than we deserve.
We have met some wonderful people over the past year and we continue to do so here in Boston. God is good. All the time. We pray for all those little heart kiddos out there and even the older heart kiddos! Lockwood family, we thank you for the kindness that you showed us. Natalie is playing with her puppy as I am typing.
The plan for the next few days is to snuggle, snuggle and snuggle some more with Natalie. They say that she will be heavily sedated for the first 3-4 days after surgery so we have to get all her snuggling in now while we can. We check in on Tuesday at 7:00 am. We will keep everyone updated as she moves through the surgery and once she is in recovery. Thank you all for your prayers, and we hope that you have a wonderful Christmas. I’d better take care of the rugrat!
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