Oh what a day!
We had to be at the hospital by 6:15am. They took him in to pre-op exactly at 6:15am. They decided to give him some happy meds to relax him before he went back because he was getting anxious. Tom, his mom, and my mom were all able to be in the pre-op area. It never gets any easier to let them take him back to the OR. The unknown is frightful. Of course, they took him back and I completely lost it. I knew he was in very good hands but the general thought of surgery scares me every single time. They then directed us to the ICU waiting room.
It seemed as though we waited for someone to give us an update forever. They finally began surgery after 8am. They gave us an update approximately every two hours. It was reassuring but I was still concerned because time seemed as if it was standing still.
Eventually, around 2:30pm, the nurse practitioner came and told us that the surgery was complete. His ASD was closed, the clotted shunt was removed, a conduit was placed, and the VSD was enlarged with a synthetic patch. So "complex" is an understatement. They were taking him to recover in the ICU.
We were finally able to see him in the ICU around 4:30pm. For the first time ever, he has PINK lips, hands, and feet! It was crazy to see him look "normal." Even though he is completely covered in wires, tubes, etc. he looks so good. The incision that he already had is now longer due to needing more space for Dr. Bove to work. Also, for the first time ever his oxygen saturations were 98!! No more 65 for AJ! I just could not believe how quickly he has improved. In some aspects, I wish we would have came to Michigan sooner but I guess everything happens for a reason.
We did not stay long because when he heard my voice, he began to get upset and tried to wake up. I hate seeing him in such pain and just wanted him to rest. We are praying that he has a good night and are optimistic about his recovery.
Lastly, we were also able to get into the Ronald McDonald House! Through every obstacle and challenge that we have faced, we still are truly blessed for what we have. We are so grateful for the love and support that everyone has given us. The encouragement and optimism has kept us strong. Thank you all!
I am so glad to hear about the wonderful news! It seems as if the doctors in MI know a lot more then here IN. I can't believe his oxygen level is so high!!! Yayaya! As for the pictures... he looks like he should be in so much pain. I sure hope they are keeping up with the pain medicine. He is so tiny for so many wires!
ReplyDeleteI am also so glad to hear that you got into the Ronald McDonald Home! Now you don't have to worry about living in the hospital. If you need anything let me know! Flip flops or whatever. :)
Look forward to further updates! The kids today were continually asking about him and were so glad to hear he was out of the hospital. I do need to get a picture of him in my classroom. The kids hear so much about
him! :)
Hope you all get some rest and tomorrow is a new day!
Glad to hear that everything went well! And like Melissa said, "Yay!" That is seriously so exciting that his oxygen levels are up! And he's finally getting his color back! :) Thanks for the updates Heidi! You and Tom are doing a great job! I'm glad you guys have family with you! it had to be so hard just waiting around! Keep it up you guys! I hope Aj keeps progressing and all of you guys try and get all the rest that you can! <3
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