An Isaac Update

On Tuesday, we had our appointment with the pediatric surgeon at Children's Mercy Hospital - Downtown Kansas City. His name is Dr. Snyder. I meant to post earlier, but all of the information has been swirling around in my mind. With more research via the internet, I am beginning to understand more of what's wrong and the procedures needed to correct it.

The consensus is that Isaac has a Pulmonary Sequestration on his right lower lung. I could write a really long explanation of what that is, but I'm not going to. I found two different sites that explain it really well. Check them out here and here.

Isaac's surgery was scheduled for Monday, February 9th.

Dr. Snyder is going to start with a thoracoscopic surgery. He's not certain this will work because of the location of the sequestration. Not only that, but they need to find the artery that is supplying extra blood flow to the sequestration or there could be massive blood loss. If they're not able to find the artery using the scope, then they will remove the scope and perform open surgery. The open surgery will involve an incision starting a little less than mid-way on Isaac's front right rib, around his side, stopping a little less then halfway on the back of his right rib. This is quite a hefty incision. Dr. Snyder is going to see if they can remove just the sequestration, but also told us they may need to remove the entire lower lobe of Isaac's lung.

Depending on which surgery works, he'll be in the hospital for up to four days. Then home for recovery for an additional week to ten days. The surgery itself is supposed to take about three hours. After the surgery, Isaac will be monitored for infection. His lungs will be monitored as they could fill with fluid and collapse.

I'm personally having a hard time with this. My mom had lung cancer twice. The first time, I was a junior in high school. Her surgery was much like Isaac's if he has the open surgery. She encountered many complications, such has her lungs filling with fluid and collapsing. I remember her telling me it was like drowning and terrifying. I also remember how difficult it was for her to recover after she was home. As you can imagine, I'm more than a little emotional and nervous about Isaac's upcoming surgery. So please, continue praying Isaac will do okay and that everything will go well. We've appreciated everyone's love and prayers. Thank you so much. I'll keep you updated as we get closer to the surgery and while we're in the hospital.

Would you like to comment?

Kellie said...

I'm so sorry Danyelle. I will keep you and your son (your whole family) in my prayers. I would think that the medical technology would have advanced enough since your mother's surgery that your son should have fewer complications. Keep faith.

Katie said...

Why do some little ones have so much to go through? I am sure we will understand someday, but not today.You are in our prayers.

G. Parker said...

Oh Danyelle!! We'll keep him in our prayers.

Rebecca Talley said...

Having a child with a sickness or in the hospital is so stressful. I'll keep you in my prayers and I know Heavenly Father will watch over you.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Thank you, Kellie, Katie, Gaynell, & Rebecca. I appreciate your comments and prayers. God bless you.

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

Hang in there, Danyelle. You and your family are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.

Annette Lyon said...

Thanks for the update, Danyelle. Hoping for the best for your little guy and the entire family.

Renae said...

Let us know what we can do for you. You know we're here to pick up the kids or whatever you need. Keep your chin up :-)

themeese2 said...

Oh honey! Consider him on my prayer list also! Give him a big hug from me.

Kimmy

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks for the update. We're all praying for Isaac, as well as the rest of your family.

I remember all too well watching my son struggle for his life in the hospital a couple of years ago. It was by far the hardest trial of my life. But he came through it, as did my husband and I and our other children. I know you will come through it too.

My thoughts are with you.

Nichole

Cindy Beck, author said...

Danyelle,
We'll gladly keep you in our prayers. Will you be fasting for Isaac on a certain day? If you'd post that information, I'm sure there are a number of readers, including me, who would want to fast with you.

It's a very worrisome surgery, but on the up side, kids really recover quickly and do so much better than adults.

Forebears said...

We will keep praying for you, Danyelle. I wish we lived a little closer so I could help watch the other kids, etc. Anything I can do from so far away, let me know and it's done.

Oh, I'm posting as Matt but this really is Tristi.

Julie Wright said...

Your family is definitely in my prayers. You and your husband are such amazingly strong people. I admire all that you manage to do. Love you girl!

Randall said...

Danyelle,

Thanks for posting the update. You bet you'll be in my prayers! Hang in there!

Randy

Unknown said...

Oh dear, that does sound like a lot for a little boy and his Mom. That is a tremendous surgery. I'm sorry that that you will have to go through this and I'll for sure keep you in my prayers.

Unknown said...

I was going to ask about a special fast for him too. If you do that, let me know and I'll be happy to join. Otherwise I'll let my family know that February's fast Sunday is for Issac :)
Prayers are with you. Hang in there.

De

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. I will be praying for you too.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Thank you, everyone. You're so incredible. I'll talk with my husband about organizing a fast for Isaac. The surgery is on a Monday, so it will probably be either the Sunday before or the day of the surgery. Thank you so much for all your love and friendship!

Jenn said...

We'll be praying for him too! I know how hard it must be for you as a mom - it's so hard having to watch our kids go through tough things. But this is especially big for you, especially with the experiences you had with your mom. I'll be praying for you, too!

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Thank you, Jennifer.

Janice said...

Thank you for keeping us up to date on Isaac. He (and you) continue to be in my prayers. I pray that you will be able to perceive the many angels that surround you and to feel the peace and strength of the Lord.

Josi said...

Oh, Danyelle, i would be a basketcase. My heart is just heavy for you, and yet I'm so glad that Isaac has such a wonderful mom to love him through this--what would he do otherwise? I have a freind that had this last year and had half her left lung removed--she said after eight weeks she felt better than she'd felt in months and her lung capacity is improving all the time. Good luck, sweetie, know we're all praying for you and your boy.

Unknown said...

Danyelle,

I'm sorry Isaac, and you as his parents, are going through such a difficult time. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you, every step of the way.

Be certain John gives Isaac a blessing the night before his surgery that the surgeons hands may be guided by the power of the priesthood, as well as his heart and mind. Have him bless Isaac's body to handle the surgery well and recover quickly without complications. All this is requisite upon the Lord approving those requests, but I would recommend the two of you kneel with Isaac and pour out your hearts to Heavenly Father, details precisely what I said above. Then have John administer the blessing.

I have the most powerful testimony of the power of the priesthood. Know that we love you and you will not stray far from our thoughts.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Thank you, Janice.

And Josi, thanks for sharing a bit of your friends story. I hope Isaac feels the same way!

Candace - Thank you for your thoughts on priesthood blessings. We're very grateful to have the priesthood in our home.

Janice said...

Candace triggered a memory of what we did when our son, Josh, was going through monthly cancer treatments. Before each treatment Josh AND each member of our family received priesthood blessings. For my husband and I there was always counsel to guide us as well as comfort. The blessings to our other children helped them to cope with the extra stresses that come with having a sick sibling (including getting less of mom's time) and also gave them comfort and instructions. Perhaps this would be helpful for you as well.

When blessings are given by the patriarch (father) in the home, they can be recorded. I always record our priesthood blessings and then transcribe them for our journals and/or "blessing books" so that we can read and reread them. This practice has brought many unexpected benefits, which I'm sure you'll discover if you decide to try this, too.

I love you!

ali cross said...

Wow. That is a lot. I've never had to go through such a serious thing with a child, but found it was hard enough to endure my husband's open heart surgery. I would not want to wait while my precious son was being operated on. I imagine it will feel like sheer torture.

I'm comforted to know, though, that you won't be alone through this. Your Heavenly Father will comfort you, guide the surgeon's hand and decisions, and protect your sweet baby boy.

Hugs Danyelle.

Hazel said...

Thanks for the update. It would be much easier for us to go through the surgeries or whatever ourselves than to have our children go through it. But you and your husband are strong, good people. We will continue to pray for all of you. And I KNOW that priesthood blessings and much prayer will bring about wonderful miracles. The Lord loves all of you and will watch over you and your family.

Love and prayers,
Hazel

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Janice - Thank you! That is a wonderful idea. My hubby, myself, and our children will definitely need blessings. I hadn't thought of it, so thank you so much for reminding me to include everyone when it's time for blessings.

Ali - Wow. I can't even imagine what your hubby's surgery must have been like for you and your family. Much love and hugs right back to you.

Hazel - Thank you so much.

You have all been so wonderful and supportive. I can't express how grateful I am for each of you - and for everyone who reads this blog and is praying for my son. Thank you sincerely from my heart.

Bohn Family said...

Danyelle -

I'm on the FOGS board with Giant Steps ~ I have been thinking about you and came to check your blog to see how you were doing. I hope everything goes well for you! You are in our prayers.

geri bohn

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Thank you, Geri! I appreciate you thoughts and prayers for Isaac.

The Thomas Six said...

We love you Isaac! Austin sent you something today. Keep a look in the mail for it. BIG HUGS!!