Updates
The most current updates on Katja are below.
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read more: home Is where the heart is but our hearts are with her
Katja had a lot of calcification in her Ozaki, along with some issues that were not addressed in her previous surgeries (one of her pulmonary branch arteries has been blocked since birth apparently). Dr Baird had to remove everything and start over for both her aortic and pulmonary repairs, thus the extended time today. When…
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read more: the Beat goes on
Katja is off Bypass! We are waiting on the update from her surgeon now. Hopefully she’ll be closed up and in recovery in the next 2hrs. I’ll update as soon as her Dr talks to us.
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read more: No News is good
As they say.. “No news is good news”. Latest update from the OR is that everything is going as expected. Getting into her chest took longer and her repair is taking a little longer than we wanted but things so far, are moving along. She’s still on Bypass but so far, so good 🤞
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read more: The Great Pause
Katja is now on Bypass. It took longer than expected due to her previous surgery scar tissue and adhesions. These next few hours are the most crucial. Her heart is stopped completely while the machine keeps her alive. Her heart will be repaired and the team will slowly restart her heart and get it beating…
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read more: first Incision
We have 1st incision. About 1.5-2hrs until she’s fully on Bypass and repair can begin.
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read more: She’s started
She’s been pre-medicated and now back for surgery. Next update at first incision (about an hour or so).
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read more: Here we are
Checked in and waiting to head back…. I will update the blog as often as my Facebook today to keep those of you not on my social media in the loop. So be prepared for multiple posts today!
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read more: Surgery Day choices
To say “it’s been a day” would be an understatement. There are so many times when this little girls bravery amazes me but each time it still takes me by surprise. Today was long. Very very long. As adults, we struggled with the schedule. There were lots of shed tears, frustrations, cries to return home…
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read more: Getting Settled
We arrived safe and sound yesterday. It was definitely a whirlwind of a day. Patient housing is situated right by Fenway park. Which means we have lots of food options to try out 😉 Katja picked Woodfire pizza for dinner and some delicious noodles for this evening. We did some grocery shopping and found a…
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read more: cotten Candy clouds
Up, up and away…. We’ve departed Seattle and have had a fairly smooth flight. We are about halfway in a 5.5-6hr flight. Katja’s tired, crabby and always hungry. So it’s been a struggle keeping her entertained AND masked! 3 days to surgery, she can’t get sick now! I think the highlight of flying for her…
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read more: The last minute shuffle
With all the chaos going on before we leave (I’m looking at you refrigerator that decided to break down yesterday 😑) what’s a little last minute date shuffle? Received the call this morning that the surgery date has been moved from Friday (June 23rd) to Thursday (22nd). Looks like we won’t make Legoland before surgery…
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read more: What’s life without a little chaos
It’s the 10 day count down! Things here have been super busy. Lots of end of school year activities, last minute appointments and getting everyone ready for us leaving. We’ve been trying our hardest to keep Katja’s day to day as normal as possible but with the heat and her heart, she’s been pretty tired/crabby.…
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read more: We have Dates for OHS #3
Katja seems to be a little better. We had an ER visit last week after she spiked multiple high fevers a week apart. Her Cardiology team was worried about endocarditis.
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About Us
We are a fun loving family of 7. I’m Jenn, the Mom and words behind the blog. Dad Jori is the IT backbone of making sure I don’t go crazy over features. We have 5 beautiful children. Nevaeh (17), Twins Arianna & Araceli (15), Katja “Our Mended little Heart” (9) and Gryffin “Finn” (4).
Save Katja’s Heart: Urgent Flight for a Rare Transplant
Help us help Katja!
Confessions of a Mended Heart 