Surgery scheduled for Baby Shelby

[weekycat]

Hi Everyone,

Some of you know that my niece, Shelby was born in May with Tetralogy of Fallot, (which is actually 4 different heart abnormalities). Anyway, she will need surgery to correct this.

Shelby had an echo last week, and the doctor said he would like to wait until she weighs at least 12 lbs. She was only 6lbs. 11 oz. when she was born, and is somewhere around 10 lbs. now.

They have her surgery scheduled for October 16th, at the University of Minnesota.

So far, she hasn't gone into a "Tet spell", (when they can't breathe and turn blue), but if she does, and they are unable to get her out of it, my sister has been instructed to rush her to the ER, and then the surgery will be done ASAP. We're praying that doesn't happen, so she can be bigger and stronger before the surgery.

 

[Ross]

I'll be praying for no spells and a full recovery for her when it is done. I hate to see this happen to little ones.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Jean,
Your family is in our prayers. We hope everything turns out OK.
Dave



_____________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Nancy]

May God bless baby Shelby. She'll be a miracle baby. It's so wonderful that these things can be corrected.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Jean

There will be many prayers going out for Shelby.

Evelyn

 

[nadi]

Loads of prayers

Loads of prayers

You and yor family will have lots a prayers and positive sent that way.

Take care,

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Jean, all my best and most positive thoughts are headed your way for Shelby. This must be an incredibly stressful time for your family! Please keep us informed as to how things go....

Johnny

 

[Gnusgal]

Take heart (no pun intended, but accepted)

Take heart (no pun intended, but accepted)

As odd as it may sound, I know more ToF adults than any other type of congenital heart defect. I'd say that's a good sign that the docs are fixing these hearts pretty well. So keep that in mind. Your niece should be just fine and live well into adulthood with few problems. Heck, most of the ToF adults I know were even able to have kids! Wish I could say that...

Your niece is in my prayers.

 

[weekycat]

Thanks guys!

Thanks guys!

I know you'll all be sending your positive thoughts and prayers for Shelby when the time comes. And she'll be in good hands. The first successful open-heart surgery ever was done at the University of MN back in 1952, and the very first pediatric open heart surgery was done there also.

I'm not real worried about the surgery itself, although, my sister said it could take up to 8 hours! Mine was a little over 6, and my husband was fit to be tied by the time I was done. I know some of you had longer surgeries, but it can't be much fun for the people waiting.

They should be able to completely correct Shelby's heart problems, but unfortunately, she will probably never have children anyway, she was also born with Down Syndrome. She's a little dolly though, and is loved very much by her mother, 4 sisters, and brother.

I'll keep you updated on her progress when the time comes.

 

[hensylee]

Dear Jean - you know that my prayers are going and going and.......

Shelby will always be special and loving to all of you. I had a Down's Syndrome aunt who lived to be in her 50s. She was such a great love to everybody in the family. She also had some heart issues. God bless

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi jean!
just wanted to let you know that shelby and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers.
please let us know how things go with that little one.
be well, sylvia