We Have the Date

November 28^th.  Last Friday we met with Dr. Nigro, the surgeon that will be performing Alessandra’s heart operation.  The meeting went well, the tone was positive and we went over some things we already knew and discussed some new things as well.

Just to recap- Ali has a single pumping chamber, whereas a normal heart has 4 chambers.  Chamber walls cannot be built so instead staged surgery is required to redirect the blood flow to distribute oxygenated blood more efficiently than it does in her current state.  We have been told that the purpose of the Glenn is not necessarily to boost her O2 levels, but to take some of the pressures off of her heart so her little body wont have to work so hard.  This will be done by re-routing the superior vena cava into her pulmonary arteries.  Another interesting anomaly with Ali’s heart is that she has TWO superior vena cavas whereas the rest of us have one. Her heart will still point to the right (dextrocardia). 

Her surgery will be on November 28^th.  We will be at Phoenix Children’s Hospital while she recovers.  For recovery time we can estimate about a week.  I think she is going to rock through this and we will be there for the minimal time necessary. 

Bypass probably will not be necessary, but blood transfusions will be.  I need to verify that I’m the same blood type as Ali (I think I am? I should know this…) so that I can donate.  The surgery itself will be about three hours.  Her pain will be managed carefully.

Before her surgery (in the next 1-2 weeks, we don’t have the date for this yet) we have to go into PCH for a day or two for a cardiac cath procedure.  This will be done through her femoral artery.  She will have to be intubated and put under for this.

So….yikes.  This is a lot.  It will be the most difficult time of our lives but I KNOW she will be fine.  She is such a feisty little thing.  We can do this.

~Melissa