JULIA’S SURGERY IS OVER – GLORY BE TO GOD (8:30pm)

Just a short while ago we met with chief surgeon Dr. Campion and Julia’s surgery has been completed.  She is now in pediatric intensive care here at UNC Children’s Hospital. One hurdle crossed.  After explaining it was one of the most challenging cases he has ever worked on, he told us that Julia held up very well, physiologically and otherwise.  Dr. Campion fused a good portion of the spine but it will be a while before we know what level of correction was achieved when we get x-rays.  The upper/thoracic spine area was rigid and so did not accept much correction.  The lower/lumbar area was more accepting to correction.  A few other complications that Dr. Campion had to work around but he did it. Dr. Campion has been very impressed with Julia and calls her a “one of a kind” child.  We knew that already.  We believe he and Julia have formed a special bond over the past year.

As we are updating you, we just met with Julia’s head nurse.  She tells us that Julia is stable in ICU, has various lines, IV and others, and has her chest tube that will stay for a few days as they had to deflate one lung and it takes a few days for this to work its way back.  Julia will remain on a respirator through tomorrow and we expect Friday given her pulmonary limitations.  She is not certain but expects Julia to be in ICU through Friday and possibly into the weekend.  Just have to be patient and let her heal on her time.

We are in the ICU waiting room now and hope to be able to see Julia soon.  Please continue to pray for her recovery as we need to get past the ICU and get her off the ventilator.  We give thanks to God and his angels and the saints for watching over her.

We are receiving your voice mails, text messages and all and apologize that we cannot answer or respond to you now.  We cannot say enough but your love and support for Julia has been overwhelming.  A special thank you to Archbishop Demetrios, Archbishop Spyridon, Metropolitan Alexios, Father Michael and Father Stathi, we thank you for your special services and prayers and all that you have done for Julia.  To Nick & Kiki Ballas, John & Donna Ballas, Chris & Angie Chagaris, and Matt Karres, we thank you for treating us to dinner last night at Spartacus.  Julia enjoyed it and it was a nice environment that she said reminded her of dining in Greece.  Dad almost started Greek dancing with the waitress – he did dance by himself though.

To Julia’s teachers and classmates at Jay M. Robinson, thank you for your support and cards.  To Julia’s Sunday School teachers and classmates, thank you for your kind cards and gifts (Abercrombie and Vera Bradley, boy you hit a homerun with Julia).  To the Carolina Panthers Topcats, thank you for your many cards and gift.  To other close friends, thank you for your cards and gifts for Julia.

Keep your postings coming so that Julia will be busy reading when she is able.  In the mean time, we are collecting everything for her.  If we are reading Julia’s blog information correctly, she has had over 1,000 hits today and counting.  She will be beside herself.  WE THANK YOU ALL!!!

Regina and Harry

Update on Julia (7:30 pm)

The surgery is still in progress.  We were updated briefly by a nurse after 7 tonight and that has been the only update since 1 today.  There is a lot that the doctors are working on in the spine area and so it is taking meticulous and patient work.  They are uncertain when the surgery will be completed.  It is us and the OR team and it is very quiet now in the Children’s Hospital.  We are looking at pictures of Julia and talking about how blessed we have been to be her parents.  Thank you for your prayers and love for Julia.

Regina and Harry

More Pictures

Pictures of Julia

Surgery update on Julia (5:00pm)

We want to update everyone as we know many of you are monitoring Julia’s status with us.  Unfortunately we have no update at this time since the posterior part of the surgery began some 4 hours ago.  We hope to hear some news soon but trust that Dr. Campion and his team are progressing as planned.  Julia likely has a few more hours so please keep her in your prayers today and in the days ahead as she recovers.  We again want to say thank you to all of you for your prayers and support.  We are learning today that Archbishop Demetrios of America and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta have been praying fervently for Julia and conducting Divine Liturgy services dedicated to her.  We know also that Archbishop Spyridon also is praying for Julia.  As we checked Julia’s cell phone this afternoon, we listened to a voice mail message from Archbishop Demetrios who called Julia from New York.  To know that so many of you along with our priests and hierarchs are praying for Julia is overwhelming.  Thank you all.

Harry and Regina

Surgery update from Dr. Campion

A brief update regarding Julia’s status.  Dr. Campion the chief pediatric surgeon met with us shortly after 12:30pm.  He has completed the anterior (front) part of the surgery and they are preparing to operate on the posterior (back) now.  The posterior is 80% of the surgery as it requires work on the discs and instrumentation.  The anterior surgery went fine but not much could be done with her upper thoracic spine as the vertabrae had little to no disc space.  His objective was to take out discs in front and thus loosen up the spine to help achieve better correction when he works on the back to take out discs and do the fusion.  He did the best he could by releasing what he could work on.  Dr. Campion told us that Julia’s last words before falling asleep were “I am calm and ready and I am glad you are doing my surgery here in Chapel Hill.”  He said she was remarkably calm and upbeat.

Julia’s surgery has begun

First night in Chapel Hill

Hey! It’s Julia I’ve arrived in Chapel Hill tonite & I’m bout to go out 2 eat I miss everyone and can’t wait to see peeps. I’m so nervous bout this surgery but I’m gonna get it ovr with if u wanna call me tonite here is my cell phone 704-989-8502 my surgery is tomorrow at eight & I go to the hospital at seven. My parents will leave updates when I’m in intensive care and during the 12 hour surgery tomorrow. Luv ya, Julia Stathopoulos