We Got The Call!

I wasn't expecting the call today, but Dr. Superina's office called a little before 5:00 p.m.!  They met as a team this morning and discussed Macy's case.  Using the information they gained when doing the Venogram last week, they have decided that Macy is definitely a candidate for the Abernethy repair! 

Praise The Lord for this fantastic news!

He has decided that she will need a 2 stage repair.  This means that she will face 2 surgeries within a couple of days of each other.  During the 1st surgery, he will band her shunt (wrong flow area).  He will be reducing the size by about 50%.  This will allow the blood to start flowing through her thread-like portal vein, and will allow it to start growing in size.  Some of her blood will now start flowing through her liver as well, and be processed correctly. 

She will go to the ICU, and be "out" for a couple of days while they monitor her pressures.  When the pressures calm and her numbers start to look better, she will return for her 2nd surgery.  During the 2nd surgery, he will completely occlude (close) her shunt.  Her pressures will likely get high again, and will return to the ICU to be monitored while they lowers and stabilize.

Macy will likely be in the hospital for 2 weeks.  Like always, it could be more or less depending on how she does.  We will then be discharged to the Ronald McDonald House for another 2 weeks.  So it looks like we will likely be in Chicago for about 1 month. 

Her incision will be large, and across her abdomen.  As much as it breaks my heart for her to add another scar to her body, scars mean nothing when it comes from a life-saving surgery!  It will be a very long recovery, but I know she will do an AMAZING job!  She is SO STRONG!

We have 2 possible dates, but we are waiting for Dr. Superina to return from out of the country on Monday to finalize the date.  It looks like her surgery will happen either on May 18th or May 23rd.  The 23rd is definitely our first choice because it means she would miss less school and I would miss less work.  Prayers are appreciated!

Thank you again for all your prayers and support, and I will keep everyone informed as soon as a date is finalized!