Another Update

Third Update - She is still doing good. They are close to be doing, probably an 1hr to 1.5hr

Second Update

Second Update - Just got an update call, Nat is doing good. Dr Ramo is still working, but all is going great

First Update

First Update - Natalie is doing good! They have started the incision process.  

We do get to keep her MAGEC rods they are removing.

They took Natalie back for surgery around 7:30am. She was aound asleep with an IV in. Her team of doctors are amazing

Pre Opt Appointment

Yesterday, Natalie turned in her last assignment for 2022 and this semester! Her teachers have been incredible helping her get everything done a week early. 

We just finished pre opt. Natalie is all set for surgery. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30am and surgery will start around 7:30am. Her surgery will take a good portion of the day. I will try to post updates throughout the day. Thank you all again for the prayers

Thank you for the prayers! We can definitely feel them.

Tuesday, marked 10 days before surgery, which means we stopped her aspirin. She has been taking a baby aspirin daily since her first open heart surgery back in August of 2009. We only stop taking it before surgeries. 

Natalie is in pretty good spirits. We have had a few moments, but who can blame her. She is about to have spinal surgery. 

She has talked to all of her teachers about upcoming exams and projects. Her teachers have been incredible! We are so blessed to have amazing teachers.

Here we go…

We have known this was coming and knew it had to happen at some point in the near future. There is never a perfect time for major surgery with teenagers, but here we are and here we go…

Back in March of 2021, we found out Natalie’s back doctor, Dr Richards, was retiring. I know this is the cycle of life, but man when it is your kid and you have full trust with someone, it is hard when you have to start over with a new doctor. 

Dr. Richards handed Natalie’s case over to Dr. Ramo. We absolutely love him and his team. He has been so amazing with Natalie and his team has been so patient with all my questions and concerns. The transition to a new doctor has been incredible. I felt a peace after our first appointment with him. 

Dr Ramo told us, we needed to wrap our heads around her next surgery. We knew then, she would be undergoing back surgery this year at some point, we just did not know when. 

As the school year started, we began to discuss surgery. There is never an ideal time for a major surgery, especially with teens. I emailed the nurse to discuss downtime, restricts after surgery and when all restrictions would be lifted.

After hearing back from Natalie’s team and much family discussion, along with some tears and a lot of praying. We decided December might be the best time for her next surgery.   

I emailed her nurse and she began to work on all the logistics. Nat has to have all her surgeries at Children’s Medical Center, because her congenital heart defect. She came back with two dates in December. We went with Dec 9th. Natalie has 3 weeks off at Christmas, so we felt this would minimize how much school she would end up missing. 

With the date set, her coming up appointment went into over drive. She had lab work done, a finger prick, pulmonology test, media photos (before pictures), had a MSRA swab, met with a phycologist, child life specialist, x-rays, and a dietician. We found out her protein levels were a low, so the dietician help us come up with ways increase that in 2 months. Of course, we met with Dr. Ramo as well.  

A huge shout out to Nurse Stephanie, she was a Rockstar helping us get all those scheduled in such a short time! 

We also met with the school and let them know what was going on. All the staff and her amazing teachers are working with her to get as much, if not all her work turned in before we leave for Dallas. She will miss a total of 7 days before Christmas break, with one of those being a half day. 

I have been reminding Nat, that the weekend before and week we leave, she will have extra work, but it will be worth it, when she can relax and recovery all break. 

Natalie seems to be doing really good with all of this. She says she is ready to have surgery and put it behind her. She has started having a little anxiety, please be praying for that.

Dr. Ramo will be replacing her MAGEC rods with her permanent one, adding a few more screws and fusing parts of her spine. 

Our next step is her pre-op appointment in Dec 8th. I wanted ask that you pray for continue peace as Dec 9th draws near and for all us to stay well.