Annabelle updates

I just got off the phone with Matt. Like any first-time Dad he hasn't eaten all day and is running on adrenaline. He is headed home for a shower and to pick up some provisions before heading back to his chair/bed at the hospital. The latest news:

Matt and Holly have spoken with the neurosurgeon. As he had thought from the earlier ultrasounds, he has only seen one other case more severe than Annabelle's. They have scheduled her for surgery tomorrow morning at 9:30. Matt will accompany Annabelle to the Children's Hospital adjacent to Mary Birch. Annabelle will have a plastic surgeon and an orthopedist working to close the opening in her spine, with the neurosurgeon running the surgery. It will be a long and difficult surgery, somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 hours. There is the possibility that Annabelle may not come through, but the neurosurgeon believes that the surgery is doable.

Annabelle has a second surgery scheduled for Saturday to install a shunt at the base of her brain. The problems with her spine are putting pressure on the base of her brain, and this is preventing the spinal fluid from draining. The shunt (essentially a tube) will run from the base of her brain into her abdomen to provide the necessary drainage. The two surgeries are scheduled on consecutive days so that Annabelle will only need to be intubated once.

Matt briefly described the delivery for me. He was placed on a stool up by Holly's head, and there was a screen so that neither of them could see what was going on. The doctors would let him know when Annabelle would be delivered so he could pop his head up and take some pictures. Once Annabelle was delivered, she was passed through a window to the next room. She was gray, which I guess is normal but probably a little freaky for any new parent. Apparently it only took three pumps on the respirator and she was breathing on her own and getting her baby pink color. When Matt and Holly heard that first cry they were naturally excited and relieved. She also sucked on a pacifier and was able to swallow, more good news along with her waving arms.

Earlier that morning they had spoken to the doctor regarding the removal of the cysts. The doctor said that if they were malignant, that they might need to remove her ovaries. This was the first they had heard of this possibility. Fortunately the doctor told Holly during the surgery that there would be no problem removing the cysts and that her ovaries were safe. It was a very odd experience hearing the doctors describe her organs as she listened from behind a screen.

Holly has several friends keeping her company right now, and she is hoping to be able to get in a wheelchair sometime this evening so she can visit with Annabelle. The ICU is open 24 hours so parents can come down to see their newborns.

On the way down to the ICU, Annabelle opened up her eyes. The nurse that was holding her told Matt that this was pretty unusual. Most newborns don't open their eyes much, especially under the bright hallway lights. Annabelle was placed in a crib along with all the other babies. Matt said that each nurse that has stopped by has commented on how strong Annabelle is. She is a fighter!

I will continue to pass along any news or pictures as soon as I can. Please continue your prayers for Matt, Holly and Annabelle.