Tuesday, April 29, 2014

A new update on Andrea

Our beautiful niece Andrea had her surgery two weeks ago and here is an update from her Dad. For those that don't know - Andrea is 13 years old and just before Christmas has a spinal embolism which left her with only limited movement. She slowly regained some strength after the initial surgery to stop the bleeding and then last week she had surgery to remove the embolism. It is hoped with lots of physical therapy she will regain full use of muscles. She is also getting some of the best medicine in the world - visits from therapy dogs every day which she just loves.

Update on Andrea: She went into into surgery on Monday for over 9 hours. The first part was done through the front of her neck to stabilize her cervical bones and the second part was from the back with the neurosurgeon opening up the spinal cord and removing the AVM. The last part was again to stabilize her spine with screws and plates. After the surgery they did another angiogram to make sure that the entire knot of blood vessels had been removed, which it was. So the operation was a success and the Doctors were very happy with the results. After surgery she was moved to the Phoenix Children's Hospital by ambulance and put in the ICU, were she remained until yesterday when they moved her to a regular room. The first two days she remained on the respirator but they removed it yesterday. She is in some pain, of course but was able to sit on the side of the bed for about 10 minutes today. Her neurosurgeons feel that she might be able to travel in 10 to 14 days, so we will be here until then. She needs to be able to tolerate the two hour plane ride in order to get home.Thanks to everyone for your prayers, its been a long road but now there is light at the end of the tunnel.

As you can see from the photos below - Andrea is heading home and we will be sending lots of prayers and good thoughts home with her. She has been amazingly brave and we are all so very very proud of her. When she gets home she will have the best little nurse waiting for her - her own little doggie who is called Millie. We know she will take excellent care of her as will her wonderful Mom and Dad.

27 comments:

  1. SO happy to hear that the operation was a success. Hope that she is able to travel home soon.

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  2. We are glad she is doing so well and wish her a speedy recovery. Hugs!

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  3. Arrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooo! So glad she is doing well. Wiff all dat lovin she will be all better soon.
    Wags,
    Ranger
    Pees…. Mom is send up some prayer for her continued recovery.

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  4. WOW - She is so brave! That's awesome that everything went well! Good luck Andrea!! XOXO - Bacon

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  5. Gosh that was a long complicated op and what a brave girl Andrea is. Please send her our best and let her know we are thinking and praying for her and we so hope she has a speedy recovery.
    Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  6. Great News!
    We been praying for her full recovery. Hope she liked all the cards blogville sent her. Let us know if she needs more happy cards we still have her address.

    xo Cinnamon

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  7. So very happy that Andrea is heading home soon!

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  8. I am so very happy she is improving. She brave at her age. Sending prayers for fast healing. Your story brought tears to my peeps eyes. Love and prayers,
    Bentley

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  9. She is so young to have to go through all that, and she is so brave!!! We are glad her surgery went so well.
    stella rose

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  10. Looking good Andrea. We have our feets crossed for you. You go girl!
    Lily & Edward

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  11. That's great news. Gosh, I think that my dad was getting a little queasy from the surgery details. But the most important thing here is Andrea is on the road to recovery. And that's good for everyone.

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  12. Andrea, you are SO BRAVE!! We are sending strong healing vibes to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

    -Bart, Ruby and Otto

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  13. HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE

    WE are soooooo proud of our Beautiful and BRAVE girrrrl. WAY to GO.
    THIS is the bestest news we have heard in AGES...

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  14. I'm so glad for your niece Andrea. I cross my paws and wish her all the best. Maybe Millie can ease her pains a little, I'm sure both enjoy that they are together now.

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  15. We are so happy that Andrea is heading home. We have our paws crossed that she will continue on her healing path!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  16. She is a very brave young lady! Look at all those doggies taking such good care of her in the hospital and so forth. Doggies are the best medicine ever!

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  17. WoooooHoooooo!! I am doin' happy zappy zoomies!! Tell Andrea that we are all sendin' her TONS of POTP and healin' thoughts and prayers!!
    I bets those doggies are helpin' her immensely...they are so CUTE!
    And Ma thinks she is a Super Hero!!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  18. Glad Andrea is on her way to recovery! What a brave young woman to go through all that and still have such a beautiful smile on her face! Love that dogs are part of her recovery. :)

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  19. We're sending more POTP. We hope all that is behind her and she can start being a teen, soon.

    XXXOOO Bella & Roxy

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  20. We are so happy that all went well! I agree with everyone else who said she is sooo brave! Sending love and (((hugs))))

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  21. That's incredibly wonderful that things are looking up. I'm glad there are dogs there to help her get past the pain, but I'm sure she can't wait to get home to her own little one. Give her lots of hugs from all of us.

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  22. Mates, this is the most wonderful news and we have kept Andrea in our thoughts. Hugs to Andrea and hope she is up and about real soon. Take care and special slobbers from Rory to Andrea! No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  23. So glad she is better! Those embolisms are scary!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  24. What an ordeal for anyone to have to endure, but even more so for such a young girl! So good to hear that the surgery went well, and now we will cross our paws and add Mom's prayers for continued good improvement.

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

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  25. Yes, what an ordeal. We pray for her continued healing and full recovery. She looks like a happy and brave girl :D

    Wyatt and Family

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  26. I am so happy to get an update about Andrea!! Can we still send her some "you're pawsome" cards?
    oxox
    Daisy

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