Thursday, October 8, 2009

Surgery Day!

Haley had her surgery today around 12:30 pm to fix the obstruction. Dr. Bloss the pediatric surgeon performed the operation. Thomas said to Dr. Bloss as he was leaving the NICU to go to the operating room, "please take care of her", he replied back "just pray for me and I will do the rest". Then he said his famous line "I will treat her like my own, I know her on the inside and out". We truly admire and appreciate Dr. Bloss and his great ability to not only be able to perform surgeries with great outcomes, but also his kind gentleness towards our children and towards us as parents. He is one of the best pediatric surgeons around if not the best. Dr. Bloss told us after the surgery was done that it went better than he expected. Haley had a perforation that became an obstruction in the distal small bowel (lower small bowel). He removed a very small amount (4 1/2 cm) of her small bowel. Dr. Bloss told us that she has plenty of small bowel to absorb nutrients and won't have short gut. He also said that her ileocecal valve (connection between the small bowel and the large intestines) was sick but should recover. So Haley is doing good, but is still recovering after all the anesthesia. She is a fighter and will recover fully. Ashlyn is slowly getting worse and continues to decline. Her oxygen saturation is decreasing and her blood pressure has decreased some, but she still has a good heart rate. She is not urinating and it appears she is in renal failure. We are so heart broken and wish for the best for her. Rachel is doing well. She so far doesn't have an infection. I'm hoping it stays that way and my intuition was wrong. Her feeds have increased and she is tolerating them well. Her IV nutrition (TPN) has been decreased and the lipids (IV fat) were discontinued. Yeah!!! I'm so happy she is no longer getting the lipids. Lipids can be damaging to the liver so it's better to not be getting TPN and lipids for a long amount of time. She seems to love laying on her belly, or at least it shows in her O2 saturation's. What ever may happen to Ashlyn one thing is very clear to Thomas and I, she has touched our lives for eternity. She is a beautiful little girl. We are so gratefully to our Heavenly Father for allowing her to be with us how ever long that may be. I feel the Spirit so strongly every time I am with her or any of the other girls. These are His precious little girls, He created them as He has all of us. I have no doubt that a loving Father in Heaven can perform miracles, and does often. I know that if He wants Ashlyn on this earth she will remain with us, but if she is called home to that God who gave her life than that is a miracle as well to me. Why because of the miracle of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. He gave His life in a selfless sacrifice so that we would be reunited as families when we pass on. I know that as Thomas and I live righteously in this life we will be able to be reunited as a family with all our children in the world to come. God be thanked for His Son Jesus Christ for all that he did and continues to do for us. Even though this experience has been extremely difficult and challenging, it has brought an increased knowledge of the Saviors atonement in our lives in a very real way. We are so thankful for the blessing we do have, despite the trials of life. "Life is beautiful when we learn to find the beauty in it".

Haley after the surgery. Dr. Bloss drew a picture on the tape/dressing covering her incision.

14 comments:

  1. Love and prayers to your family. What beautiful faith and a strong testimony you have. It is helping and will continue to help you and your beautiful family through all of this.

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  2. I have been following your blow for some time and would like you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Being a mother of triplets born at 26 weeks I have an idea what you guys are going through. Our little girl developed NEC requiring five surgeries altogether and had all sorts of problems afterwards (intrahepatic cholestasis due to prolonged TPN etc). Fortunately she did not develop short gut syndrome and is now growing and developing normally. Babies have a remarkable ability to recover, you just have to trust that and the rest is in Lord's hands.

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  3. Thank you for posting an update. I have been wondering about the surgery on Haley.

    I was also keen to read about the update in Ashlyn's condition. I pray for a miracle for her or for God to call her Home to Him quickly.

    With prayers for you all, particularly for strength and comfort for you and Thomas at this time. God Bless you all.

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  4. I am so appreciative for Dr Bloss! What a good man! I am still praying for Ashlyn and for her valient mommy and daddy. I feel like I know you guys, and I am just so sad for Miss Ashlyn. I want her to get better and completely recover.

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  5. So glad to hear that the surgery went well for little Haley. Surgeries for someone so tiny are scary, but it's so great that you have such a wonderful surgeon to take care of her. My heart breaks each time I read about Ashlyns worsening condition. It is truly in the Lords hands now. I hope and pray for a miracle for your family.


    Praying for you always,

    Christina McKinney

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  6. Your faith is so strong and you seem to have such an acceptance of Ashlyn's poor prognosis. Not sure I could be as accepting. Sending prayers for you and all the girls.

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  7. Dearest Children God is with you.. watching o'er you night and day.
    i am so grateful that Haley's surgery went well and that Rachel is continuing to do well.
    Miracles do happen every day and Ashlyn is one of those already - Happy Day! we know that she will be okay - either way it goes.
    You were blessed to give six little ones their mortal bodies! how valient you are and how blessed they are. hugs to all of you, and special thoughts for Ashlyn.... love, Erma

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  8. Its wonderful the surgery went to so well. Your family is in my daily prayers!

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  9. Amanda and Thomas, thank you for taking the time to update all of us. This is very kind of you. Haley's picture is cute with all the drawings, and now she will be just fine! Rachel will soon need her nursery at home, I'm so happy for her! On the other hand, I am very sad to know that little Ashlyn's health continues to deteriorate. I believe that our Heavenly Father does what is best for each one of us, but it's still very diffcult for me to accpet and understand. I know God will bless you, Thomas, and the girls, either way it goes. I know there is a wonderful family life ahead of you. I keep all of you in my heart. Love, Claudia

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  10. Hey guys. We're thinking and praying for you and for your sweet babies everyday. Thanks for the updates. SO happy that Haley's surgery went well. SO heartbroken that Ashlyn may not be with us much longer, but we keep praying for a miracle.

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  11. Your faith continues to inspire and bless me. I want to be more like you!

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  12. Someone told me once that when you are praying you should pray as if God is going answer your prayer. I believe in this. Just know that my whole family is praying for your beautiful girls, your precious gifts on loan from God.

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  13. I have been praying for the babies and for Ashlyn in particular.

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  14. Love the doodles that the doc drew for your little girl. :) Best wishes to all of your children and you.

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