Back home today!! (7days post op)

Dear friends,

I am happy to report that Z's recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.

The doctors were so pleased with her progress we were able to discharge today - just 3 days after extubation! Praise the Lord!

Before leaving hospital she was still unable to walk on her own, but within hours of reaching home she's already walking quite quickly by herself I had to stop her in case she fell down!

One of the many things that touched my heart was that Z received reassurance from Jesus again - she told me he hugged her "tight" and according to Z said "I love you" when she was in surgery.

That just moved me to tears as I know our Lord and Saviour was there reassuring and comforting her when she was not able to see, hear or feel human touch.

Our little fighter did so well during the entire hospitalization. Not a single tear during setting of IV plugs, insertion of drains, removal of wires, getting her throat and nose suctioned repeatedly causing her to retch. She took every procedure in her stride and wasn't until after everything was removed and done on the last day, that she wanted lots of cuddles.

Thank you for all your faithful prayers and support

I believe that it is through the prayers of many that have moved the hands of God, so that Z has had such a successful surgery and recovery. As she rests and recuperates at home we continue to give thanks for His faithfulness, for the blessing of such skillful surgeons, caring hospital staff, and so many wonderful people in our life.

We pray for total healing of all her wounds and incisions with no complications, and strengthening of her body so that she may soon join her friends back at school.

I hope Z's testimony will always be an encouragement and blessing to others.

And this is not yet the end of our story :D

God Bless,

Elaine

Post op update (day 4)

Dear friends,

Thank you for all your prayers.

Lizzie went though open heart surgery on Friday 4th Nov - starting at around 9:00am.

After 9 hours she was out and taken to the pediatric ICU at National University Hospital.

She remained under sedation, and her chest was left open to allow swelling to subside - with her exposed heart protected by a piece of plastic dressing.

On Sunday 6th Nov in the evening the surgeons managed to successfully close her chest after having drained about 1L of accumulated fluid from her abdomen.

Today Monday 7th Nov, Lizzie though still heavily sedated has started to open her eyes and struggle to move her body more and more. At this point the doctors are looking to tail down the sedation, remove her breathing tube and also start chest physio tomorrow.

Hopefully then she'll be able to fully regain consciousness soon.

Here are some pictures of Z the evening BEFORE the surgery.

God Bless,

Elaine

Total correction open heart surgery scheduled for the morning of Friday Nov 4th 2011

Dear friends,

I ask for your prayers at this time as we are getting ready to admit Lizzie to hospital the day before the surgery.

This is the major operation we have been waiting for her whole life, and by God’s grace she has grown into a loving, cheerful girl, with a wonderful personality and a very brave heart.

The main objectives of the surgery is to remove the two BT shunts (from her previous surgeries), and completely correct the existing defects – large VSD (hole between the lower chambers), and the placement of a Hancock graft (synthetic vessel with porcine valve) to replace the congenitally missing pulmonary artery. We have been advised, during the recent consults with the cardio-thoracic surgeon, that the Hancock graft would be used, as longevity far surpasses that of a graft vessel taken from a human donor, which may last only as far as 5-10 years. In some cases we were told, that with the Hancock graft, some have reported good function as long as 20 years.

We are told that in the first few days following the surgery, a lot of swelling is anticipated, hence they surgeons will not be able to close her chest for up to a few days. We ask for your prayers during this critical time.

We are preparing to spend at least 2 weeks in the hospital – with the 1st week in the paeds ICU. So I would ask that you pray for stamina and supernatural healing for my little girl as we cross this major hurdle.

Thank you for continuing to check back on our blog and for your kind thoughts and prayers for Z.

God Bless,

Elaine

Recovering well at home

Dear friends, the cardiac catheterization was done successfully with no complications. Thank you for your prayer support and concern for Z.

She did very well and was a good girl through it all – even when the doctors had to set the IV plug in her hand, our brave girl didn’t even shed a single tear.

Z took everything in her stride, as she has become so familiar with visiting the hospital over the years, she was very relaxed. I give thanks to God for her calmness and confidence!

According to Z’s cardiologist, Prof Quek, both her shunts are functioning well, and are not blocked. The total correction surgery need not be so soon as we thought, but it depends on Z’s need for oxygen. According to him, delaying the open heart surgery for as long as possible is advisable, as the pulmonary artery graft could last in her body from as short as 5 years, or as long as 10 years or beyond. She is in the Lord’s hands.

During the hospital stay, Z did manage to have some fun on the playground…

and eat french fries…

We discharged from the hospital the next evening at 7pm. We were exhausted but happy to be back in our own bed. Lizzie told me “I’m so happy to be at home with you Mummy!”.

She has also been very good keeping still so as to not disturb her healing wounds, and even helped me to change her dressing!

Lizzie in charge of opening the tegaderm…

There it is! landed on her chin

Z's sticker reward chart

Plus she got the two stickers required to complete the set of 10 on her sticker chart to get her reward…. See how happy she is??

Meanwhile she is aware of the dressings, and is so cute, as she walks very carefully taking v small steps. Thank God she did not complain of anymore pain by this evening, and is now sleeping soundly.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.

God Bless,

Elaine

Cardiac catheterization scheduled

Dear friends, the hospital has confirmed that the procedure will be done under General Anaesthetic on Friday 15th October early in the morning at 8:00am.

I ask for your prayers for the procedure and the post operative recovery period to be smooth and speedy. I will be updating the blog again after her discharge.

Thank you to everyone for the prayers and encouragement – I’m sure it will be over before we know it!

God Bless,

Elaine