Introduction

Dear family and friends,
Thank you all for your love and support for Luke, as well as our family during this medically challenging time. Our hope is that this blog will help you to stay updated with Luke's surgery and recovery.

A little background first.........
Many years ago, Luke was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder call Marfan Syndrome. The primary manifestations of this disorder are:

1. Lens dislocation in the eyes which causes significant vision challenges (Luke's eyes are in great shape).
2. Formation of small blisters or "blebs" on the lungs which usually lead to spontaneous lung collapses (Luke has had significant struggles with collapsed lungs and has had several significant lung surgeries).
3. Most importantly the aortic root can grow too large and run the risk of tearing. The latter is what leads us to Stanford this week.

We have known since Luke was very young, that the time would come when this surgery was required; and although it is not emergency surgery, we are trying to be proactive so it doesn't become such.
Luke will undergo a series of pre-op tests/scans tomorrow (5/22) and then we will be back at Stanford at 5am Thursday for the early morning surgery.

For anyone who is interested in learning more, I have attached the links to 2 videos found on youtube that discuss/show the procedure. The first is simply an interview with a surgeon, as he explains the procedure, as well as the accompanying pros/cons. The second video is an actual VSAAR procedure, which some may find fascinating. Although the surgery video is the best and cleanest I have watched, I would still caution you that it is graphic and may not be for everyone.

Interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7OoH0RqCdY

Surgery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqlOR7_GWOw


Thank you again for checking in on us.

Keep watching for more.

KAAL