Baby Maverick

This blog was created to keep family and friends updated on what's going on with the pregnancy, birth, and surgical plan for Maverick. We'll also be able to keep everyone updated during his surgery and recovery and hopefully be able to show you some cute pictures of him, Maddie, Carter and Chloe along the way.

This was the original intent; however, when we started this blog we had no idea the twists and turns our lives would take. Our sweet baby Maverick was born September 12, 2008 with Transposition of the Great Arteries, ASD, and VSD. We expected to have a baby boy to bring home three to four weeks after his surgery. He had numerous complications after his arterial switch and fought through many that would have taken the life from an adult. He passed away February 24, 2009 - without ever coming home.

This blog is now a place I share my feelings, work through the grief, remember Maverick, and try to make sense out of our life without him. I hope in doing so I am giving a name and a face to babies everywhere born with congenital heart defects.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

We're here - induction tomorrow

We made it safely to Medical City today.  Thanks to our friends Kent and Dana for letting us crash at their home in Durant last night.  It broke up the drive for us.  Today we saw Dr. Kao - the fetal cardiologist.  It seems Maverick's atrial septal defect may only be a patent foramen ovale.  For our non-medical friends and family this means the top hole in his heart isn't really a defect, which for most babies would be a good thing...  but for Maverick that means he may have to have a balloon septostomy sometime shortly after birth (before his surgery) to allow for mixing of blood between the top two chambers of his heart.  A balloon septostomy is like a heart cath.  They go in through the groin and put a catheter into the top chamber of the heart, blow up a little balloon and pull it through the divider between the top two chambers to create a hole for more mixing of blood.  Sooooo, since they may have to do this, they have postponed my induction from 0700 to 1000 since the interventional cardiologist is scheduled all day tomorrow at a satellite clinic and won't be back until around 6pm.  

I saw Dr. Vines, the OBGYN today and I'm still only dilated to a 2, so tomorrow may be a long day.  My labors usually take awhile, even with inductions.  Don't worry if you don't hear from us until late.   

We toured the NICU/PICU and L&D today.  The people have all been so nice here.  They have very strict visitation policies in the NICU;  however, they said they had zero nosocomial infections in the NICU this year.  So I guess something is working.  Mom and dad and grandparents can go in pretty much anytime except shift change, but we can only take in one adult visitor per day with us to see him.  Carter and Chloe can only go in once per week.  Maddie can go in with us whenever since she is older.  

Well, I think that about covers our day.  We're going to try to get some rest tonight.  Thanks for all your prayers - I have been able to keep it together pretty well today, so know that they are working.   jc

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Juli and Greg-
I am glad you both are settled in tonight and have had a chance to tour the hospital. Dave and I(and the kids)love you very much and are asking God's peace for you tommorrow. -Kim

michelle said...

Julianne,
my thoughts and prayers will be with all of you tomorrow. I hope your labor goes faster this time. Good luck. Stay strong. Love ya, Michelle

Anonymous said...

Wow, I can't believe it's already time, it seems to have flown by so fast! I am very excited for you & will continue to pray for an easy labor and a smooth delivery, and for everything Maverick will have going on. Also, for Greg & the kids, your family, and the physicians and staff. It is refreshing to hear how nice everyone is. They sure seemed very nice the one time I was there. If you are able, please post an address where we can send communication. Best wishes, lp