Update on Judah 1/11/12

Today we went back to Children's in Cincinnati for another fetal echo on Judah and we also met with the heart surgeon. 
The Echo showed that Judah still has what is called Transposition of the Great Arteries and for those of you who might not have read my last blog that basically means that the Left ventricle that pumps the blue blood is flowing where the red blood (oxygenated blood) should be flowing and the Right Ventricle (Red Blood) is flowing where the Blue blood should be flowing. This means that once he's born none of his blood would be getting to the lungs to be oxygenated therefore he would need to undergo open heart surgery to switch the ventricles.  Also the Aortic Valve is not exactly right but the surgeon felt that it's most likely a bicuspid valve which would not need any real attention because it's a common abnormality that doesn't hinder anything.  However if it's severely abnormal they will have to switch the valves at the time of surgery.  The wonderful news is there is no longer a hole in the bottom portion of his heart! PRAISE GOD!  That would have added some major complications in the surgical plan. Also there is a hole (which is suppose to be there) in the top left portion of the heart and if that hole is not large enough they will go in using a ballon prior to the surgery to make the hole bigger so the blood flows better. 
So here is the (If God doesn't heal him) plan from the surgeon...
Immediately after delivery he will have 2 small tubes put into his belly button.  One which will constantly monitor his blood pressure and the second one will be giving him a medicine that will keep his heart from needing to oxygenate his own blood.  Basically it's like keeping him in the womb - as long as he is in my belly his heart doesn't need to oxygenate his own blood because my body some how does it for him.  At that time they will check his oxygen saturation if it's not at a good level they will need to do the ballon procedure that makes the hole bigger so that the blood flows successfully.  If that happens we won't even get to hold him after he's born but as long as he is stable and everything looks good that won't be a problem.  After he is born they will do an echo on him to see everything more clearly.  After that test surgical plans will be made.  He would be looking at having the heart surgery on day 2 or 3 of his life because they want him to recover from delivery... it's all about his stability.  The surgery will take about 6-7 hours total and he would stay in ICU for several days and then be moved to the main floor.  We would be looking at a 2 week recovery time in the hospital.  The main concerns after he is moved to the main floor all pretty much revolve around feeding.  Often times babies that undergo things like this are delayed in learning how to feed.  I'm planning on nursing so if God doesn't heal him I'm gonna be a human cow lol.  I'll be a pumping machine.  There isn't much I can do for our little man but I can give him love, prayers and Breast Milk haha. 
Today we didn't hear the doctors give Judah a clean bill of health but we are thankful for the victory we did receive with the hole being gone! You have no idea how big that is!! Also the heart Doctor said "I'm not a brain doctor but his brain doesn't look bad to me.  There isn't excessive fluid (which is often there with babies that have Dandy Walker)" She wasn't saying his Dandy Walker is gone but it did give us comfort and hope that God is also working on his little brain!  We are still believing for a complete healing and one thing I know is... My God is an ON TIME God.  His purpose and plans are far beyond our limited understanding and I trust Him with all I am.  
We go back in 6 weeks for another fetal echo and in less than 2 weeks we will be with Dr. Bombry's for a growth assessment and again we are praying for a clean bill of health! 


HOW BIG IS BABY JUDAH?? Well, either I'm two weeks ahead of my due date or I have one BIG baby boy haha! He's in the 96th percentile for his age.  The doctor was questioning my due date (like always).  She said he is REALLY tall and he weighs 2lbs and 5oz - all his measurements would put him in the late 28th week of gestation.  
Love my strong baby boy and I'm believing for his complete healing!  


Proud Mamma of Judah James and London Brooks Robinson