UPDATE
Not much of an update. There is no real change in Rosie's condition. Her lungs have not recovered enough to take her off the heart-lung machine. She needs a bit more time to bounce back. The doctors are now using a gas again to open up the blood vessels and capilliaries in the lungs to help the blood get there.
END UPDATE
Today marks 3 weeks since Rosie had her surgery. Some of you know the details of what has happened since the operation, others will only know very generally. I plan to write down the whole saga when I feel comfortable doing so, but here is a brief summary.
The original operation didn't go well, and the doctors had to take some pretty drastic measures, notably the use of the ECMO (LINK). Just as Rosie's heart was recovering and getting stronger, she was hit by a nasty lung infection called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome(LINK). As the doctors aggresively treated this infection, the shock to Rosie's system was overwhelming, and her heart, which had been pumping fine, stopped. Her heart was stopped for around 100 minutes.
She was then put back on to the ECMO, and her heart started functioning again properly within a few minutes. It appears as though there was no damage to our baby's brain, despite the lack of oxygen. The ECMO was used to kick-start Rosie's heart, but it also takes over the job of her lungs, giving her lungs a chance to rest and recover.
The situation as of right now is that her lungs are getting stronger. She seems to be beating off the infection slowly. She is still not quite strong enough to come off the machine, but we are hoping she will be in the next few days.
Please keep sending your thoughts and prayers. Rosie needs your strength as well as her own.
Posted by Gary at August 6, 2004 11:24 AMWe're thinking of you down in Sydney. See you next week. Hope your back is feeling better too. Amy and Dave
Posted by: davenamy at August 6, 2004 11:31 AMRosie is always in my thoughts and prayers. I look forward to the day when she is out of the hospital and home safe with mom and dad.
Posted by: gen at August 6, 2004 12:39 PMI'm giving blood on Saturday. Will be thinking of you, Megumi, and Rosie then.
Hang in there.
Posted by: Jessica at August 6, 2004 02:36 PMHi.
I was on google and I came across your site randomly. You, your wife, and baby Rosie are just wonderful. I hope Rosie is doing well and that she pulls through completely! Best of luck!
that's excellent news! ...about the iPod I mean. ;-)
I had a feeling news coming from the "boring blog" would become much more positive regarding Rosies's health. Glad to hear I was right.
Posted by: mark at August 6, 2004 07:00 PMHello.. I haven't been here for a while, but noticed it in the referrels list. My heart is wrenched to think about your little baby going through so much.. I really hope everything goes well, and you can all live happily without worries. Best of wishes and good luck to Rosie!!
Posted by: Yuki at August 7, 2004 01:41 AMGary and Megumi, all our thoughts are with you and Rosie. We pray, pray to give strength to your little baby. We are sure it helps. Courage.
Posted by: vincent at August 7, 2004 02:09 AMMy thoughts are with you. I am also a random surfer. Best of luck, I think that it will work out ok.
xx
Posted by: Jom at August 8, 2004 09:48 AMLittle Rosie is in my thoughts every day now. I'll keep sending thoughts of strength and recovery to all three of you. There's a strong life-force in that little lady.
Posted by: Sheryl at August 8, 2004 07:38 PMBest wishes to your family and my prayers go out to Rosie ganbarre!
Lucy, Rach D and I were together in London at the weekend and we spent a lot of time talking about the 3 of you. Its good to come to work and see some positive news. All of us send our love and best wishes to Rosie and wish her the speediest of recoveries.
Posted by: Helen at August 9, 2004 07:37 PMhoping no news is good news.
Posted by: mark at August 10, 2004 11:28 PMRosie-chan gambatte!!
Next time I check the site I hope you are much better, sending some Scottish energy from another hafu!
/Katarina
Posted by: Katarina at August 11, 2004 08:10 PMWell, as I'm sure you know, I stop by practically everyday now. Just to re-post: Jeani & I think about you three daily.
Love & respect,
Will & Jeani
Posted by: William Bragg at August 12, 2004 05:53 AM