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