Journal entry by Jim & Lizzy Miller —
Lizzy and baby Anne Cristina Miller is healthy, of good color, and beautiful. At 12:29, October 4th, 2021, she was born 8ib 4 oz, via EXIT procedure which took approximately 30 minutes to complete. Lizzy underwent a gauntlet of pokes and prods. 2 IV’s, Epidural, arterial IV, and a few other needles. She braved them well, bracing for impact, but strong in her resolve. We spent 4 hours in surgery-prep this morning. 4 hours of nonstop nurses and doctors asking questions, taking notes, administering medicines, and through it all, Lizzy held strong. Never letting the overwhelming reality of a severe operation take foot and cause a panic. God's peace is real!
The staff and doctors at VCU are extremely knowledgeable and the nurses, angels of mercy. On hour 3 of being prepped for surgery, Lizzy was wheeled into the OR for another hour of prep. Anesthesiologists began the general anesthesia, and 45 minutes later, was back in the L&D room overlooking downtown Richmond asking for “Jim.” Meanwhile, one hour 3 of prep for Lizzy, I suited up for a possible chance at being in the OR which wasn’t possible. Instead, I sat statue-like for the near 2 hours outside the locked doors of the OR wing. Eventually, I was escorted to the NICU team’s processing room and got to meet Annie for the first time. Afterwards, I went to be with Lizzy while she started her journey of waking up.
As the EXIT procedure was a success in buying our physicians time to consider and understand more about the tumors on Annie’s face, they decided it was immediately operable and banded the tumors, cut them off. They stitched up the incisions right then and there.
As of right now, Lizzy was able to be awake enough to meet Annie about 4 hours after her EXIT and both her and Annie had a good cry.
Lizzy it stabilized now, she did loose about 3 Liters of blood, so recovery will be a little slower. Also, because of the nature of the anesthesia, she’s still waking up from being under, 11 hours later.
Annie is doing very well. She’s had a pretty rude first day in this world. After her surgery, she was sent the NICU where she received everything she needed. As of right now, her only concern is for her oxygen. It’s a little lower than desired. So she’ll have a nasal breathing tube to help with that until she can breath on her own a little better.
Going forward, our expected timeline has been cut in a quarter. Hopefully, with no complications, we’ll be able to introduce Teddy (our 17month son) to Annie at home in the next 2 weeks.
Prayers:
-Fast recovery for Lizzy from being under
-Healing for Annie and Lizzy from surgeries
-No complications with medicines or incisions
-Continued peace in such uncertainty.
Thank you all for all you kind words, encouragements, countless prayers, and incredible love. It has moved both Lizzy and I to tears many times with how amazing it has been to receive the responses of our family, friends, and friends of friends.
We'll keep y’all posted as we go forward. Know that we feel so blessed and encouraged by your continued prayers and words of affirmation.
Thank you.
Jim
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