Friday, July 10, 2009

Baby Got Bones

So Jen is out of commission tonight because she is battling one of her migraines so I (Dave) will be posting the blog tonight. Now don't go and close the window out of disappointment, I'm not that bad at this. I told Jen that she cannot complain about migraines anymore because she would look like a wuss after what Aviana is going through. We think it might just be sympathy pains for Aviana's surgery.

Aviana went into surgery this morning as planned to replace her bone flaps. Luckily, she did not get bumped for an emergency surgery. The surgery lasted about five hours and we got to talk to the Neursurgeon who performed the operation, who also happens to be the chief of Neurosurgery for UC Davis (the same guy who we met with during our family meeting). He told us that the surgery went perfectly. The fluid in her head was very easy to drain, she lost very little blood during the procedure, he didn't feel the need to put an ICP drain line in her head, and her brain looked normal to him. This was all great to hear, Jen even gave him a bear hug.

We were asking him how they exactly reattach the bone flaps. He said they attach them with small titanium plates with four 3mm titanium screws per plate and that each plate and set of screws costs about $400. They used about ten plates to reattach the bone flaps. Pricey. I asked him if they were going to remove them and he said there was no need, they will just leave them in. I can imagine Aviana now, when she's older bragging to her friends that she has ten plates in her head. Jen asked him if she is going to be setting off metal detectors whenever we try to go through airport security. He laughed and said that we would not have any problems because they are titanium.

After the surgery, we went up to the room to wait for Aviana. We where told that she was going to be out of it for a while as she recuperates from the surgery. Once they brought her up, we got to talking to one of the resident Neurosurgeons and he said that with any surgery on the head, they want to wake them up at least for a short time to make sure that their base line is at least where it was before the surgery and that they are not worse off than before hand.

Sure enough, a few minutes after they got her situated in her room, she started to open her eyes. Immediately we could tell that she was able to open her eyes better now and you could see that she had more focus and alertness in them. She was able to move her eyes around a lot better, looking at us and then shifting her eyes over to the nurse. Before the surgery she would at times have a glazed over look, which was not there afterwards. She wasn't moving a whole lot, but then again I don't think I would be moving very much if someone just put 40 screws into my skull.

Another resident Neurosurgeon came in a bit later to check in on her and he was very pleased with her alertness and movement. We have to say, we are so amazed at the job the entire staff at UC Davis Med Center has done with our little girl. Without these incredible people, Aviana would not even have a chance of recovering.

Below is a picture of Avi's little friends waiting patiently for her to return from surgery.

19 comments:

  1. We've been praying and hoping all day that things went well. So glad to hear that it did!

    -Jillian

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  2. I'm glad for your little one and your family that this part is over and it went so well. Continuing to pray for all of you!

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  3. Wow Aviana truly is a miracle! I am so happy it went so well! I am continuing to pray.

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  4. An ice pack at the base of the skull and a couple benadryl work wonders for migraines. (Surprising, but true.)

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  5. We are so happy that your little Avi has her bones back. You've got to imagine that it feels awesome to that little girl to have those bone flaps back where they rightly belong. What a marvel she is and what a marvel the science of medicine is as well.

    Thank you for posting this update tonight. All our thoughts and love are with you.

    Meredith, Clyde and Sofia
    ...we met you briefly and the last Guat picnic

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  6. All of our prayers are working.. truly a miracle.. keep praying everyone!
    Avi still has to have a play date with us!

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  7. What fantastic news.I am so happy to hear it! Keep up the good work Aviana!

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  8. Oh, firstly, I am so happy to hear about the surgery. I have had you all in my thoughts and prayers today; I did check in a few times earlier in the day, knowing the odds were slim that you had updated yet.

    Also, I hope Jen is feeling better tomorrow---I can only imagine how hard that is on your body, but yes, Aviana is doing so well it sounds like.

    We will continue to pray and send support each and every day :)

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  9. I have prayed for your family throughout the entire day-I check for updates as much as possible, each time hoping for good news...I am so thankful the surgery went well and will continue to pray for her recovery..Hope your migraine gets better..your strength and faith is such an inspiration to everyone.

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  10. Praise God for this wonderful news. We are praying for all of you still. V;s Grama

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  11. Oh what a beautiful sight those chocolate brown eyes are!!! I am so gloriously happy for the successful surgery. I know that there are many more baby steps but this one felt like a leap!! Our thoughts are always with you. Sarah Peter and Lilyana.

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  12. This is great news! Avi's been on my mind constantly throughout these past few days. I am so happy to hear of this wonderful news. I will continue to pray. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Continue with your strength...Avi needs it :)

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  13. Dave, you did a great job.....I'm sure Jen will agree. Thought you of you all constantly and so glad that everything seems positive. A long road....but a better one, to be sure!

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  14. Dave - I will make sure to let Jen know what a great job you did on this post :)

    We are so happy to hear the Avi got her bones back in, wonderful news!! It sounds like she is in the best of hands, getting the top care that she needs.

    We love you guys and continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love,

    Christie, Dave and Dylan

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  15. What a happy day! I am in awe of the strength your little girl has. I wonder where she got that from (wink wink).
    I'm so happy that the surgery went well. We are continuing our prayers for Aviana and you all as well.

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  16. Wow that is such great news. I am so happy she is doing better. Looks like she was looking right at you, what a beautiful sight. We keep praying for her as well as for you and Jen. Hang in there it is getting better and better all the time.

    Love,
    Becci & Angela

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  17. Wonderful news! Continuing prayers for your family and Aviana

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  18. So happy for ya'll that the surgery was complication free. I pray things get better everyday!!!

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  19. How wonderful to see those big brown eyes. I am praying for your little girl, each day holds a miracle, and she is truely showing how strong she is.
    God Bless,
    Magen and family

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