Update on the Geoghegans 9/12/08
Sep 12, 2008
[Post contains 2 updates]
Rod just called with an update. The doctors have found the source of Hannah Jane's fluid build-up; they have located a blockage in her brain (caused by a small mass of tissue). Sometime in this next week, Hannah Jane will have brain surgery, performed by Dr. Burns, the head of pediatric neurosurgery at LPCH.
Tentatively, a week after the surgery, the Geoghegan family will be off to Duke for the cord blood therapy.
They doctors have refrained from commenting on Hannah Jane's prognosis at this point, even though she seems to be doing remarkably well (much better than expected); they want to wait and see after she has a few more days under her belt.
That's all I have for now.Happy Friday!
Stacy
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Greetings!
Hannah Jane is doing very well on her first day! She's precious and alert and already learning to nurse!
Today, she had an ultrasound and an MRI. The medical staff members were able to confirm that the ventricles are still enlarged but could not provide any interpretation of the tests results. Tomorrow, Hannah Jane's team of doctors will evaluate the tests and confer with each other, then decide what is next on the agenda. We should be able to post that update by tomorrow evening.
Shannon and Rod will be going home on Sunday from the hospital. I know they would definitely appreciate meal help starting back up at that time. For now, we cannot plan an open house. We want to minimize Hannah Jane's exposure to people and germs (and therefore, limit her parents exposure in the early days). So, if you think you'd be up for preparing a meal that could be frozen, please coordinate with me privately, and we'll arrange things. I'm hoping that by Sunday or Monday, we can stock their freezer with enough meals to get them through the next week.
Rod and Shannon look radiant with joy on their first day of parenthood. They already show such a natural expertise at loving and caring for their new daughter. It is plain to see that today was the most amazing miraculous day of their lives. They have already proven themselves to be calm, wise, strong, and steadfast parents; Hannah Jane is a very lucky little girl.
I know that they feel the love and prayers from each and every one of you. It can be felt at all times when you're near them and it is amazing to witness. If you have not had a chance to talk to them personally yet, and if the wait seems long before you will get to meet their new daughter, please don't feel neglected. Please know that they are keeping every one of you in their thoughts but that right now is a time of great intensity for them; every single minute of their day is consumed by advocating for Hannah Jane, talking to doctors and nurses, taking care of Hannah Jane, adjusting to their new life as parents, healing from a cesarean birth, learning to nurse, and just processing all this new and amazing information.
They are operating at maximum capacity! Please know that In due time, as things settle into routine and as Hannah Jane's treatment plan is established, they will be able to reconnect with each of you personally.
In the meantime, stay tuned for pictures!!! Hopefully by tomorrow mid-day, I will be able to upload some pictures of the newly expanded Geoghegan family.
Best to all of you,
Stacy Dow
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