Fw: Update on Claire

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Roger and Karen Ranly

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Jul 6, 2012, 11:24:19 PM7/6/12

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Kerri sent this message below for me to forward to all of you regarding Claire's diagnosis and surgery:

The interventional radiologist that did the angiogram called me yesterday with ‘the plan’. Claire is scheduled on July 31^st, to have another interventional radiological procedure. (which was great news!) This doctor wanted another specific doctor there, because they are both familiar with different ‘glues’, in case of the need to change plans during the procedure. July 31^st was the earliest date they could coordinate their schedules. He said that this is the first time he will be doing this, said her case is extremely unique and he will likely never see something like it again. His plan is to ‘embolize’ the aneurysm and one main renal artery. Essentially, block the blood flow to part of her kidney with ‘glue’. She will lose 1/3 of her left kidney. Her aneurysm is 1.5 cm and he said they usually rupture at 2 cm. He did mention too, that her right kidney does have a stenosis (narrowing), but he doesn’t believe it is causing any bp problems at this time. I asked him if this could happen again, and unfortunately the answer was yes. She has what he called renovascular disease? (I think that’s what its called) It is not uncommon for the arteries to narrow again. The arteries become ‘weak’, it s not like a clogged artery like adults can have. He also said she may still need to be medicated forever, but we won’t know that until after the procedure and some time after that.

All in all, we just feel so blessed that Claire had headaches (which may not even be related to the bp). I am sending a big thank you card to the doctor that first noted her high blood pressure during the brain mri because I truly believe he saved her life! If she never had headaches, we would have never found any of this and we would have found out in a more traumatic way… when the aneurysm ruptured, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, a stroke, or sooo many awful things I don’t even like to think about it! We are soooooooo lucky to have found it this way and to have a pretty easy fix all things considered!

Thank you for all the prayers and kind words!

It's Kerri and Pat's understanding that there will still be a vascular surgeon on hand in case the radiological procedure can't be done or they run into a problem during the procedure. We're going to stay positive and hope and pray that's not necessary!

Also, for the Steinlage family, because Claire's surgery won't be until the end of the month, we've decided to go ahead with the farm party! Hopefully by then, the weather will cool down so we can enjoy the great outdoors!

Once again, thanking you for all your prayers for Claire, Kerri, and Pat, and asking you to continue praying so all goes well and Claire can be healthy again!