This is just a quick note to let everyone know that Miriam is having her sixth expansion surgery tomorrow morning (Monday, Nov. 30). There is a good chance she will also have her first exchange, where one device is removed and replaced with a larger size. The rib-to-rib device on her right side is nearly fully expanded and may not have enough room left to get the necessary growth this time, so Dr. Williams may have to take it out and replace it with the next size up. The attachment points on her ribs don’t have to be removed; they stay in place and only the rod between them is exchanged. This will be nowhere near as intense as her initial placement surgery (no separating ribs, no hole in the chest wall, no extended intubation), but if the exchange happens it will mean larger incisions and possibly incisions in new places. If she has the exchange we will likely stay overnight in the hospital. If her doctor just performs an expansion we should be home tomorrow afternoon. We’ll share a more extensive update after surgery. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Miso's VEPTR
Updates on Miriam Sophia's Surgeries
We are praying for Miriam, and mom and dad too! Praying that the Lord guide the doctors instruments and hands to perform the expansion with minimal pain and discomfort as possible. May God bless you all, and deliver a quick recovery.
God bless,
Deacon Terry and Mary Carsten
Praying of course!!!
Praying for success
Praying for an easy recovery for sweet Miriam!
Sending prayers to Miriam and family. Our son Trevor recently had his first revision (or as you called it an exchange). Praise God our children are miracles! Please feel free to contact me if you become scared, tired of waiting, or inquisitive of answers (I may not have the right answers, but sometimes it helps to reach out to someone else who goes through exactly what you do! can8182@gmail.com or if you want to text (919)605-8897
Good luck!
Thankful for Miriam’s trusting brave attitude. She teaches me every time to face life with hope! She is my inspiration! Constant prayers for her quick recovery! Love you honey…
Thank you, Cate! Are you a member of the VEPTR Facebook group? I really appreciate all the support that comes from the other parents. And now I feel like I can give some help to those new to the process. We’ve been doing this for three years, but it feels like a lifetime!
Rebecca, we are not a part of any Facebook group. I know that makes it more difficult for us to find support. We’ve been at this for 2 years now…its funny how people say “enjoy the time you have because it goes by so fast”. I feel like its been an eternity!
You are all in my prayer. Blessings!