Bumps and Boulders

Thankfully we are strapped in for this ride we are continually riding.  Not only are we strapped in, but we are holding on tight to each other.

Don't worry, Macy is doing well.  However we got a phone call from Chicago last week and some things have changed.  Dr. Superina's nurse, Joan, told us that he wants to perform another surgery 2 days prior to her Rex Shunt.  This surgery will take place in Interventional Radiology.  Basically she has some large vessels around her portal vein area that blood is running through.  His concern is that when he takes the vein from her neck and places it as her portal vein, blood will not run through this new vein properly if it can escape through these other large vessels.  So if they go in a couple of days before and close off these vessels, then when he puts the new vein in place as her portal vein, the blood with properly run through the new vein without an escape path.  While they have her in for this procedure they will get imaging in her neck area to locate the vein pathways and designate the vein they will use for her new portal vein.  We will then stay inpatient until her Rex Shunt surgery 2 days after that.

This is not ideal, and it's definitely what we expected.  However, if Dr. Superina feels that doing this will give her a better outcome with the Rex Shunt surgery, then we are supporting this. It broke my heart to tell her that she has to have this additional surgery done, but she took it very well.  It's so hard for me to know how she truly feels.  She just kind of brushes things off, and moves on.   However, I keep thinking she should feel more emotions and feelings than she shows.  I can't ask her continually though and hover over her.  If she truly isn't worried, it might ignite fears in her.  In contrast, I don't want her to bury her fear.

It's not just her on my mind though.  There is McKenna too!  Apparently right before this last surgery Macy had, McKenna said something to Jeremy about us "leaving her again".  We dropped her off at school that morning and Jeremy picked her up at school when it was over.  He spent the whole night with her, and even took her back to school the next morning while Macy and I stayed at the hospital.  When she got home that day, Macy and I were already home.  I was only away from her for about 30 hours.  I guess that is her perception though, and it makes me feel horrible.  This next time, we will be leaving her for possibly a week before we see her again.  We'll be in a completely different city and state.  It's just hard, and weighs heavily on my mind.  We are okay though, and will pull it all together to support each other and mainly Macy.

We are planning some fun weekends the next few weekends!  For Valentine's Day we put together four fun experience gifts for the girls.  They are just some fun things that our family can do together before surgery.  The girls are excited because they get to open a new "gift" envelope each Friday night.  We are hoping we all stay healthy and can enjoy this relaxing time together over the next few weeks.

Please continue to send prayers our way!  We'll take prayers for health, a fun next month, calming minds, and a successful upcoming surgery for Macy.