no surgery this week
The doctors decided that Nolan wouldn’t need surgery this week for his heart, but he may need it as soon as next week. He has patent ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosus is a normal fetal blood vessel that shunts blood away from the pulmonary artery in the womb, where the baby doesn’t use his lungs because he gets oxygenated blood from the placenta. Once the baby is born, the change in oxygen levels causes the ductus arteriosus to close naturally within the first day. In many premature babies, this doesn’t happen. It’s called patent (pronounced pay-tent) ductus arteriosus, or PDA.
As you can imagine, having a blood vessel that is designed to shunt blood away from your lungs because you don’t need your lungs, isn’t that helpful when you actually do need your lungs.
PDA could still resolve on its own for many babies, but in Nolan’s case, they believe it is a significant enough part of his persistent lung problems to warrant surgery as soon as they feel he’s ready for it. It’s a pretty hard surgery (Kara says they have to move his lungs out of the way), so there’s a fine balance between waiting until he’s strong enough to handle it well, and knowing when the waiting won’t help much more because he can’t get stronger lungs without it.
We’re glad he doesn’t need surgery right away, but we hope that when he does have it, it will help his little lungs clear up and not have to struggle so hard.
Otherwise, things remain much the same. Thanks for staying tuned in as the news slows down a bit.
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:25 am
Ronan and Kara-
I hope that you are able to take care of yourselves and one another as you hold healing space for Nolan. You are loved. Blessings,
amy
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I am absolutely in awe of Nolan and his inspiring, quiet, steady determination to hang in through these difficult early weeks. And I am in awe of the love surrounding Nolan and his beautiful family. Love to all.
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:45 pm
Hi Ronan and Kara–I think about you guys and little Nolan every day.
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Ronan and Kara,
Everyone at the Horace Williams House sends their love. We are keeping positive thoughts for you and Nolan; thank you for sharing this tiny wonderful fighting spirit with us through this web site.
Keep strong,
Sherril
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Jesue loves me
this I know
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong
they are weak but He is strong.
Caroline Davis
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Hello there to all of you. I keep you in my mind and heart every day. With love, SaraCarter
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 10:48 pm
all of you in the Ikenberry-Peterson-Cunningham-Haigler clan are my heroes.
Friday, October 20, 2006 at 1:32 am
dammit.Feel so small by comparsion…inspired to be bigger ..and so on …round and round it goes. Wish I could just slice off some of me to give to Nolan and then carry on…
Friday, October 20, 2006 at 8:24 am
Nolan 265, Nolan, 266, Nolan 267… and so it went as I swam yesterday. I had decided to channel Nolan and his lungs and so, being the geek that I am, I said his name–to myself, in my head of course–each time I breathed in and then counted each breath as I exhaled. I hope this helped him some. I ended up swimming a mile in 59 minutes both farther and longer than I had ever gone before driven on bythe superbean’s fighting spirit. It was 896 breaths, by the way, not counting all the gasping I did after I finished. I miss you all.
Peter
Friday, October 20, 2006 at 9:42 am
Have followed your news everyday- my first stop in the morning. My son was 3 months premature so alot of what you write is very familiar and still grabs my heart. He is now 19 and a blessing to all who know him. I pray your little Nolan continues to grow & improve in all areas. A special hug to all of you.
Friday, October 20, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Greetings - I have been checking updates on Nolan. The Bean is super indeed. My thoughts and hopes are with all of you. Love, Tory
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