Update on Ava Rae

Ava got through surgery well. The surgeons were actually able to get her off of the bypass machine (aka ECMO), although it lasted for only 10-15 minutes. She was put back on and continues to be on it. The good news is that it will allow her heart to rest after going through such a major surgery. When the surgeons opened her up they were disappointed realizing that her aorta was even smaller than they hoped after doing an echo. They explained to Nate and I that being at a 3 is severe, but hers was probably a 1 1/2 - 2. The problem isn't that the aorta is small, because they can fix that to a certain degree. However, the surgeon said that when the aorta small the corinary ateries tend to be small, and there is nothing they can do about that. I believe these arteries are what carries the blood back to the heart although I am not 100% sure at this time, we received a lot of info yesterday. Ava seems to be doing well on the ECMO machine. It was really hard seeing her yesterday after sending her off in the morning looking healthy. It really brought back a lot of terrible memories being that Kaden went on the same life support. It is the worst feeling in the world, feeling so helpless as a parent. You want to make everything better and you pray and pray that things go well for your little one and that they aren't feeling any pain but you don't know how things are going to turn out. I feel so bad for her lying there, innocent and not knowing what a good life is suppose to be like. I want to hold her close and cuddle her, but we can't. I just continue to pray that God will hold her for us and let her feel our love. I pray that she will come off of ECMO and do wonderful, but only time will tell. I think the doctors are going to try weaning her or taking her off on Friday.

Sunday we had Ava baptized. Kaden was actually able to see her and hold her and kiss her for the very first time. He is such a great big brother. He read her a book and sang her songs. It was all too cute. Kaden went home with my dad today...that way if something were to go wrong (knock on wood) that Nate and I could be at her side and so we could spend more time with her without feeling so guilty that Kaden was here at the RMH waiting for us. It was really hard seeing him leave. I think he was a little confused that he would not see us for a couple of days, but he was sooooo ready to go home. He will be back up on Thurs. I am already wanting to see him. I just want to again thank you all for all of the support and prayers. They mean absolutely everything to my family and I right now. I want to leave you with some pictures of Ava when she was first born. I will try posting pictures of the baptism soon. She looked absolutely beautiful. Thanks again for EVERYTHING.