Good afternoon everyone,
I have it on very good authority that the past two days have been the longest days my Mom and Dad have experienced. For me, being unconscious most of the time, it did not feel as long, but it was terrifying nevertheless. A number of times I sensed myself travelling down a long tunnel toward a very bright light, only to be rapidly hauled back again. Each time this happened, and I opened my eyes afterward, I was surrounded by stressed but relieved medical practitioners, holding all sorts of medical paraphernalia and appendages. The worst sight of all was seeing my worried parents a short distance away, keeping out of harms way, in each others arms crying. I immediately made a mental to myself not to venture down that unknown passage of light again; will certainly not in the foreseeable future.
My condition remains critical, and Friday was a real battle for me. On the upside, as of this morning (Saturday), my stats slowly started to stabilise again. The down side of Friday’s deterioration meant that I could not go back to theatre as planned. You will recall that after two marathon five hour procedures on Thursday, it was intended that I return to theatre on Friday morning to have the sheath removed from my leg through which access was gained to my venous system and to my head. Being in a critical condition it was decided that the risk was too high to perform another procedure on me.
Consequently, it is anticipated that the procedure will be done on Monday, once I am no longer in a critical condition, and the risk is reduced. The intention during this procedure are multiple, and it will therefore be another hectic day for me. While in theatre on Monday an angiogram will be done of my head, where the fistula was occluded, to determine the success of Thursday’s procedures. The outcome of this angiogram will also determine the next steps during the procedure. Potentially, these are as follows:
- To deploy more coils in the fistula behind the Amplatzer PFO Occluder that was inserted on Thursday;
- To decide if the micro-catheter coils that was inserted on Thursday should be removed, or stay in place. If it does stay in place, the next decision will be relating to where to terminate the micro-catheter. There are three options once again, one being to terminate the micro-catheter in my neck, which is extremely difficult to do, or to terminate inside my groin, or lastly to actually leave it dangling out! I protested at this possibility, as I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with this micro-catheter trailing behind me! I was assured that this was only a temporary measure should further coiling be needed in the future, then the point of access is still available for this purpose.
- To remove the outer catheter that runs from my groin to near my heart (this outer catheter houses the micro-catheter mentioned above);
- To remove the sheath which was inserted in my femoral vein, at my groin, through which the catheters were navigated through my body.
Once more is known, and I make it through Sunday without any further complications, I can report back to all of you on the next steps. I’m hoping that my next blog posting will be after my procedure on Monday, and that more coiling was done, and that most, if not all, of the micro-catheter was removed. Hold thumbs for me, or as my Uncle Oliver pointed out, keep your fingers crossed for me – it seems ‘holding thumbs’ is a South Africanism!
Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts, wishes and prayers that you send me – I don’t think I would have made it through the last couple of days without them. Thank you also for all the wonderful emails and SMS’s that you regularly send to my Mom and Dad to keep them positive and for them to know that you are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. They don’t always get the chance to personally respond to each message you send them, but please know that they are truly appreciative and overwhelmed by all the kindness, strength and positive energy that you have rallied up for me. At the same time I need to ask that you keep sending me all these wonderful thoughts, messages, wishes and prayers over the ensuing days.
Love,
Jarrod
Figure 1 My Mommy holding vigil over me
Figure 2 Currently I have six drips feeding all sorts of stuff into me and four syringe drivers administering medication
Figure 3 I feel sorry for the person who has to untangle all these drip tubes
Figure 4 This blanket is inflated with warm air to keep my temperature up. I protested at the colour, but when I felt how snug one is under it, the pink-ness of it was soon forgotten
Figure 5 In a Dormicum induced dreamland
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Hey big guy
We are still in awe of what you have been through. I cannot begin to imagine the stress and worry that your little family has been through on what should have been the happiest period in your lives. This has certainly been the worst roller coaster of highs and lows.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
A big hug and a kiss for the patient. Stay Strong guys.
Love
Gillian, Oliver, Ryan and Kirsten
Dear Norwin and Lynn
Jarrod is so lucky to have such incredible parents. You guys are saints. Stay strong.
Love Gisela
Good afternoon precious little boy.
Boy this has really been an extremely difficult time for you and your family. We are all thinking of you and sending you all the angels to be with you on Monday during the procedure and pray that all will go well.
Love, light, hugs, kisses, and best wishes to you and your mommy and daddy. Will keep you in our prayers.
Love
Bronwyn, Gary, Brannon and Rhianne
Hey big guy,
I dont always have access to the internet, but when I do, I always check in on you first.
I’m glad you turned back, you really are needed here, importantly for the lessons you are teaching all the scientists, but essentially for all those who love you. And I have a strong suspicion that you are going to become someone important one day. Not that you aren’t already, but I think this is just a practise run for what you are really capable of. For those of us fortunate enough to know of your blog and can follow it, this is going to give us The Edge over others, but you watch as your life starts to unfold.
You hang tough dude, with all the Angels, Spirit Guides and the really Big Guy up there watching over you, there is no doubt that there is a very important reason for you to be here.
I will check in again as soon as possible, and I will be praying for some really awesome news of weight gain, thingy’s that are fixed etc.
Good morning sweet little angel,
Thank you for having the strength to turn back. We really are blessed that you are part of our lives. I know you are made of the ‘surviver’ material and will make it. From the moment you were conceived your ‘greatness’ was defined.
Your mommy and daddy really love you and are looking forward to your smile and laughter as you grow up. So hang in there (you’ve done so well so far)!
We never stop praying for you and will continue to do so well after you beat this hurdle!
Led and Lynn our prayers of strength and courage for all of you. He is such a courageous boy. I’ve experienced your strength over the years, I believe this is where Jarrod gets his from.
Praying for you on this day.
Love
Tanya, Anthony and Morgan
Hey there big boy
Jackie and I have been following your progress on the blog daily sometimes going back 2 or 3 times a day wating to get the next bit of info. So this is going to be short and sweet we are praying for you, your old lady and old man (also known as mom and dad).
Be strong and teach those Doctors what it means to be a Lederer
Hugs and Prayers
Barrett and Jax
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Honey bunny! I have been away in Europe and have not been able to chcek up in what has been happening to you, my eyes are filled with tears as I sit here and read all the blogs that I have missed sinec the 5th of September.
I’m totally in awe of you at the strength and courage that you have to get through all that you already have. I have been to the Vatican and the Sistine chapel and prayed a big prayer for you there. I have also lit candles in Churches in Barcelona, Florence and London for you and for all the angels around you.
Please keep up your strength and courage.
You Mom and Dad must be exhausted please ket them know that I may not have been able to read your blogs but you have all been in my thoughts and prayers the whole time I have been away.
Lots and lots of Love
Jenni
Happy new year big boy! I hope this year will bring you great strength, health and happiness! Tell your folks that we send our best wishes to them as well and that they must keep up the good work they are doing for you!
Love, Janice, Eugene, Bianca and “Bump”
Hi there little boy,
This is my first message to you and actually, I’m speechless…..
You and your incredible parents are in my prayers and thoughts and I really believe that 2009 will bring you and your family health, happiness and joy!
All my love
Jakkie