Just One More: The Hand Off and The Wait

Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Hand Off and The Wait

We left Weber's (hotel) this AM and told Bernie we were going to the hospital.

She said, "I see Nenna". We confirmed that she would see Jenna (Dr. Romano) and that we were going to have some sleepovers to fix her heart at the hospital. "I go do it," she responded.

While driving up the parking structure, she called out, "Strong". At least for those few moments we feel she had a positive outlook on a difficult situation.

Arriving on the 4th floor, we checked in and went back to our pre-op bed space. The pics speak for themselves. Activities below included signing your child's life away, trying to get Bern to agree to the pulse-ox and pic with her fave surgeon Godmother, and waiting for intranasal versed to do it's job (I got to administer half of it as it took a team to restrain and align her).

The breakdown: operation got started at 2:28. I just got a call a few minutes ago that they are through the chest wall, she is on bypass, and proceeding as planned.

Next update in an hour or so.

❤

13 comments:

KellyJanuary 26, 2017 at 1:32 PM
oh - so agonizing. so very hard. lots of love and prayers that tomorrow will be the beginning of an even better life for Bernie!
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KellyJanuary 26, 2017 at 1:33 PM
(kelly parent on the above comment)
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 1:42 PM
What an incredibly brave bunch of girls! Thank you for so generously documenting this. Sending love and prayers until the next update.
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 1:54 PM
Thinking about you all and sending love and prayers... have strength my friend... your girl is a champ, your family is amazing and the positive Mojo in the Universe for you all right now is incredible!! xoxo
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 2:22 PM
Love, prayers and all positive thoughts of strength and healing to you! Wow! You're amazing us more and more with every update and picture. May you be blessed today!!!!
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Jennifer EJanuary 26, 2017 at 2:23 PM
She's in good hands, Missy. Prayers for Jenna the team and your family. xoxo
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Stay strong Mama. That beautiful little is a tough little one. Hugs
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JackieJanuary 26, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Prayers to guide the surgeons steady and healing hands.
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AnonymousJanuary 26, 2017 at 2:55 PM
You are all in my thoughts #berniestrong
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AnonymousJanuary 26, 2017 at 3:47 PM
I have been and will continue to pray for you, Jeff, the girls and especially Bernie and her team. Xoxo
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 3:51 PM
BIG HUGS and lots of PRAYERS!!
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UnknownJanuary 26, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Saying extra prayers for Bernie. What a strong little girl, and hugs to you and your husband and daughters. Apparently God knows you are a Rock Star to give you the awesome job of being Bernie's Momma❤
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Kerry MaloneyJanuary 27, 2017 at 5:19 AM
These pictures speak volumes. xoxo
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About Bernice

A Note From Bernie (aka "The Bern"), our "one more"

Hi, my name is Bernice and I was born Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at nearly 30 weeks gestation weighing 3 pounds, 9 ounces, 15 and 3/4 inches. I have lots of hair and energy for my age. I have three older sisters and their names are IzzyB (13), Sadie, and Lucy (twins, 11) and a dog named Fergus. I have Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and was born with a significant congenital heart defect called a complete AV canal defect (balanced AVSD).

After 57 days in the NICU and 10 days of hospitalization in February for RSV, I finally got to have my heart surgery in Ann Arbor on April 10. Just when we thought it was all fixed and I was about to go home, I took a sudden turn for the worse and had to have a second heart surgery on April 25 to repair my mitral valve. We left Ann Arbor on May 24.

I was hospitalized for a couple of days in Traverse City for pneumonia at the very end of May.

By the beginning of July 2008, I showed more signs of respiratory distress and was again taken to the ER at Munson Medical Center where I was treated for sepsis, rapid respirations, and signs of potential heart failure. I spent 2 weeks at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids until we decided it would be best if I were in Ann Arbor to be closer to my surgeon at the University of Michigan. I love her, so I didn't really mind the ride even though the survival flight team wasn't so sure I'd make it.

I was discharged from Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor on September 28, 2008 after recovering from my 3rd open heart surgery. I received a prosthetic mitral valve on July 21. Even though I am doing really well now, there were days just after this last surgery where the nurses told my parents they could not care for me anymore. Every time they tried to perform basic care, I would go into cardiac arrest. All but one doctor said there was nothing else they could do for me to keep me alive. After being placed in a pentabarbitol coma, receiving regular doses of ketamine, and getting LOTS of prayers, I left death's door and started recovering from my severe pulmonary hypertensive crises and reactive airway disease.

My heart now has good function, but I continue to battle issues with stenosis. I can do that. I eat from a fork and spoon, run all over the house, and define the word miracle each time I look in the mirror. Now you know why I love my doctor SO much! I just can't wait to grow up and be a little girl!

It has been four helicopter rides and about 220 days in the hospital my first year of life(most very far from our home) since my mom's water broke on September 17, 2007.

I rallied through my 4th open heart operation to resection my left ventricle and was home 10 days later.

I know I have a lot of friends and family who love me and care about me very much.

Lots of love,

Bernie

Her electronic birth announcement sent out Friday, October 5, 2007 read:

She is beautiful!

Even though this precious little girl arrived ten weeks early, she and let us know how spunky she is by letting out loud cries and showing off her very full head of sandy brown hair.

Missy is recovering just fine from her C-section at Munson Medical Center . However, we have short term and long term challenges ahead of us as far as Bernie’s health is concerned.

Being born at nearly 30 weeks, Bernie is premature. In addition, Bernie has a heart defect which will require surgery most likely when she is 6 months to 1 year of age. Until she reaches full term, in another 4-6 weeks, she will be at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids (she was air lifted there yesterday) where they have a neonatal cardiologist who can more precisely care for her. We will be traveling there as parents and together as a family on a regular basis for the next month or more to love, support, and get to know Bernie.

Her heart condition is directly related to the fact that she most likely has Down syndrome. Genetic testing has not confirmed this as of yet, but physical traits highly suggest this is the case. Despite many surprises in the past few days, we are thrilled to have Bernie as the newest member of our family.

Just One More

Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Hand Off and The Wait

13 comments:

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