Tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday early morning on our side of the world), Dr. Rodefeld will present his research at this conference. This will be excellent exposure for his new concept in how to surgically help kids with hearts like Jacob's. This talk will help increase interest and support for a radical new approach for kids that only have one pumping chamber in their hearts. It is a real privilege for Dr. Rodefeld to have been invited to present at this prestigious conference!
Isn't it amazing that Jacob gets to connect with Dr. Rodefeld and two aerospace engineers who are helping with this research?!!
Remember Ana & Yann that we met at Purdue? Although they spend hours each week and week after week in research on behalf of kids with single ventricles, Jacob is the first person they have met who only has one ventricle. I think it's pretty cool that they now have a real person to consider as they press forward in their research!
For background on Dr. Rodefeld, Ana, & Yann, please see March 2012 blog posts
- Fabulous End to a Fantastic Day
- New & Revolutionary Ideas.
On March 26, we got to visit Ana's lab at Purdue University. It was remarkable to see how many things she brings together in order to do very intricate research. The pictures below don't do justice to the many fascinating things she explained to us, but they do help us remember just how important people are who work behind the scenes! And how MUCH goes on behind the scenes in order for research to press forward. Yann helped us see how computer programs can run many trials of research to supply more data in a shorter time frame. Ana & Yann explained how many of the principles are the same as when they worked with aerospace engineering projects.
Ana & Yann work with Dr. Steve Frankel, a Purdue School of Engineering professor. While we were visiting Ana & Yann, Dr. Frankel was presenting the fluid dynamic aspects of this blood pump research at a conference in Israel.
Today it's good to revisit these exciting ideas. On an international note that could impact many kids and adults, please pray for Dr. Rodefeld as he presents tomorrow and that interest and funding will grow for this research.
On a very personal note, we continue to be blessed by the investment of the medical community that has brought so much life to Jacob. We also acknowledge that while there are very exciting and profoundly deep things about living with a single ventricle, there are also hard things about it.
In the midst of the exciting, the deep and the hard, we are very blessed that God has connected us with Dr. Rodefeld, Ana, & Yann. Thanks for praying for them today, too!
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| Ana talking us through the concepts of fluid dynamics |
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| Showing us the model TCPC (total cavopulmonary connection) she created for research |
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| Explaining how the lasers help to see how particles flow through the TCPC. This will help to see how the permanent pump will redirect blood flow from vena cavas to the lungs. |
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| Yann describing how his computer simulation reflects Ana's research |
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| New friends: Ana, Jacob, Yann |
Thanks for continuing to pray for us as we reenter "normal." Jocelyn is doing great at school. She LOVED the Easter Bunny at school yesterday, which was good news since she was terrified by the Easter Bunny last year. Jacob is doing well back in school. His teachers are being kind and helping him to take one step at a time. He's such a smart and respectful student. We are proud of him. Tom and I are doing okay and getting our heads back in the international ministry (Lori) and connectivity (Tom) worlds. We can tell that we are all emotionally on empty though. We really do continue to need and covet your prayers. Thank you SO MUCH for loving us SO WELL! God continues to sustain and encourage and grow us through His Word, His presence, and through you! This journey is MUCH more than we could tackle without you and Him! Thank you!
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