Ashley's decompression surgery went great!

Over all we have to say what a relief and miracle this whole situation was, God is Good!!! The surgery got started almost 2 hours late. They waited to take her blood and cross check it until after she was relaxed in the anesthesia to make it easier on everyone. She did very good, but knew something was up when she opened her eyes when we got there.

We had woke her up earlier than usual in hopes she would sleep through the fasting and not be so hungry which worked well, but when she saw the blue uniforms, her eyes got real big and she wouldn't take her eyes off every nurse that walked in the pre-op room. She had a little oral medication to relax her so when we had to hand her off, there wasn't a lot of fear like she has had before.

They came and updated us 3 times through out her surgery letting us know each step pf the way where it had progressed, then the Dr. came out. Mike asked her if she found what she was expecting to and she said " yes, everything and more, she was a mess"

Instead of a "pinching" that were were previously under the impression of the Dr said that the bone of her foramen magnum was actually "digging" into her spinal cord. She had to remove a section of bone nearly 3" around. We though that was a lot, but she said if she didn't becuase Ashley is still in growing stages, that it would have grown back over the area.

She also had to remove her C1 vertebre (the top bone in the spine under the foramen magnum). She said there was also a part of her skull that had formed a point where the bones meet at the base of her skull that had actually pierced the Dura (the "skin" around the brain between the skull and brain) Thsi was causing pressure on her brain and said there was a lot of bulging in her Sinus (basically the blood supply of the brain) When she shaved that point off the bone it relaxed immediately and she sewed up the hole that the piece of bone had pierced through.

So overall, it was worse than we had expected, but truly a miracle that she had even got to the point she was without any obvious symptoms. Dr Gilmer -Hill did a wonderful job and said that she is much safer now. Although there will always be the risk of damage as anyone with achondroplasia, she is not placing her on any "no can do" lists. She said, ballet, dance, even gymnastics would be ok, but no contact football, which I doubt she'll be doing anyway being that she is quite the little lady:o)

We were right there when she started to wake up and she signed Daddy and said Mama even though she was confused. She moved her arms and legs upon request, started signing more and ate some crackers and juice while enjoying little einstiens. It was amazing how alert she became after just a few hours. She even thew us some big cheesy smiles. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to upload them as Mike has the camera to catch more of her tonight.

Another early day tomorrow thank you so much to everyone for checking in on us all and sending your prayers and thoughts. We will continue to give updates on her progress.