Isabel's First Surgery

First of all, I want to thank each of you for your prayers and thoughtfulness in supporting Kari and Adam as well as the rest of our families.

The families met yesterday with Dr. Cherney (Isabel's neurosurgeon) and Dr. Griffiths (Isabel's plastic surgeon) to review their plan for Isabel's treatment. The doctors informed us that Isabel will require at least two surgeries in her first two years of life, possibly more, depending on complications that may arise in that time.

Her first surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, March 7th, at 9:30am at St. Luke's in Boise. It will consist of two procedures, together lasting approximately 4 hours. Her recovery time is expected to be around one week. The procedures are part of an effort to remove the obstacles that are preventing Isabel's head from growing the way it needs to. In simplified terms, a few of the growth plates in her skull have become fused together. This is causing her head to grow in only one direction (up) instead of all directions at once. The surgeons will be working exclusively on Isabel's head, and although blood loss is not expected to be substantial, it is always a critical issue in infant surgeries since any loss of blood in someone so small is significant. This and other risks of surgery were explained to us all in the meeting.

As you can imagine, this information is difficult to hear and to process. However, this surgery is absolutely necessary, and will be the product of much planning and careful consideration on the part of the surgeons. They conferred with a number of specialists from around the country at the conference this weekend. The plan for this surgery has been reviewed by the most skilled and knowledgeable cranio-facial specialists in the country. Isabel is in in good hands. With prayer support, we are hopeful for a full recovery.

We will give an update on Isabel immediately following her surgery.