DS heart surgery scheduled for Monday

[Melarina]

Things have progressed more quickly than we anticipated. DS had a big pre-op day on Friday: sedated echocardiogram, blood work, chest xray, EKG, meetings with various medical team members, plus a visit to PCICU for Mom and Dad. While it was very upsetting to see the little babies and children in the PCICU hooked up to so many machines after heart surgery, I am glad we were able to experience the situation before it is our precious boy there.

Our mission now is to keep the baby well enough to have surgery Monday morning! The surgeon opted not to admit DS to the hospital until we go for surgery. He does not want to expose the baby to the flu that is prevalent in the hospital right now as that could be extremely dangerous in DS's fragile condition. We are staying in a hotel to be near the hospital in case anything happens over the weekend that would necessitate us taking the baby back over there. We will go for surgery check in at 5:30 Monday morning. Managing our nerves until then will be a big goal also, as we need to keep the baby from unnecessary exposure and so will be mostly in the hotel room till Monday a.m.

The surgeon told us that after looking at his tests, it is clear that DS really needs the surgery as soon as possible. He said we were right in pushing for a sooner surgery date. I am grateful that the cardiologist made a good call in getting him worked in to the surgery schedule. The surgeon explained how DS's VSD is keeping him from being able to grow and thrive because of the way his blood is not traveling to the right places. Although he is small for the operation, he is not the smallest they have seen for this. And hospitalizing and tube feeding him wouldn't help because it's not just a matter of calories that he needs, as heart and lung failure would be certain in his condition. He also explained the risks of the surgery, which are terrifying to contemplate. But we understand that DS is in excellent hands in this hospital and with this medical team, and of course we know the surgery is necessary.

Please pray that DS will stay healthy for the surgery on Monday, as he truly needs this operation soon, and that the surgery goes well and he does not suffer from dangerous risks or complications.

We are so grateful for your support.

[KathyN115]

Wishing you and your family the best of luck in the coming weeks. Stay strong mama!!

:grouphug:

Kathy

[bubbaray]

P&PT for all of you! :grouphug:

[Snow mom]

I hope the surgery goes well. Sending lots of PT for him to stay healthy for surgery and recover quickly. :grouphug:

[ZeeBaby]

Wishing your DS a speedy recovery.

[ThreeofUs]

P&PT for all of you! May the surgery be successful and your DS's recovery quick.

Hugs!

[tylersmama]

:grouphug: P&PT...

[Swimfreak78]

Thinking of you and wishing for lots of health

[tnrnchick74]

Prayers for baby boy being strong and stable until surgery...and super quick healing after

Prayers for peace and calm for you and your family

Prayers to guide the surgery team's hands and minds

Prayers to the universe to keep this baby from getting sick...and family too!

[egoldber]

Best wishes for you and your little guy!!!!

[MaiseyDog]

Praying for a successful surgery and a quick recovery for your little guy.

[ErinMC]

Sending you all lots of prayers that all goes well!

[jess_g]

Sending lots of prayers and hugs for you and your son. I hope his surgery and recovery goes well.

Jessica.

[BabyMine]

Sending prayers and positive thoughts for your whole family.:hug:

[sunshine873]

Definitely prayers being sent! Both for your little boy and for you & your DH.

[carolinamama]

Lots of positive thoughts for your DS.

Years ago I talked to a PICU nurse, who told me how babies who have cardiac surgery after they have gone home and been with their families do very well through the surgery and recovery. She felt that it was because they knew how good things were and wanted to quickly get back to that feeling. Not sure why this little piece of information has stuck with me for the last few years, but I hope that it brings you some peace.

Hugs to you.

[slworld]

All the best to your family! Take care.

[EXPECTINGMAY]

Many prayers and good wishes for your beautiful boy & family. If you are interested, I found a forum of moms and grandmas etc. who have children who had VSD surgery. You sound very strong & grounded. My very best to you .

http://www.carepages.com/forums/health-conditions/topics/83-open-heart-surgery-to-fix-large-vsd

[Happy 2B mommy]

Sending PT for you and your family to stay strong and positive, for the doctors and nurses who will care for him and esp for your little guy to make a speedy recovery.

[jenfromnj]

Sending you tons of P&PT!

[shawnandangel]

I am sending lots of prayers your way!

[ohiomom]

More prayers headed your way. We just had VSD ruled out this week for DD and your post is a double reminder to be extra thankful. I'm sure your little guy will be in great hands and hope you can get back home soon.
:hug5:

[Kitten007]

Lots of P & PT being sent.

May your son recover quickly!

[JTsMom]

Lots of P&PT for your family. :grouphug: You know I'm right here if you have any questions, or need to talk. Please let us know how you all are doing when you can. We'll be thinking about you.

[mecawa]

Prayers and thoughts are with you. I'm glad they pushed the date up, that was the hardest thing with my DD was the waiting, and making sure she stayed healthy in the meantime (especially with a school aged sibling at home). When this is all over with, you will be so relieved. Good luck with everything!!:hug:

[wendmatt]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, wishing your little boy a speedy recovery.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I hope that everything goes smoothly! Lots of P&PT headed your way!!!!!
Beth

[KpbS]

Praying for your DS and your family that he can remain healthy and the surgery will go well. :hug:

[SkyrMommy]

:grouphug:

Wishing your DS a successful surgery and quick recovery. Our thoughts are with you and yours.

[crl]

Prayers for your son and family.

Catherine

[Gena]

Prayers and hugs to you and your family. I hope the surgery goes well and your little guy has a quick recovery!

[Kungjo]

P&PT for all of you!

[kdeunc]

I hope that all goes smoothly on Monday and your little one has a very quick recovery!

[brismom]

praying for your little one, best of luck

[MontrealMum]

:22: Sending you lots of P & PT!

[DeeEast]

I definitely offer you my prayers. I know how hard it is to see your child in a medical situation. Let us know how things go tomorrow.

[sariana]

You're probably not checking here anymore before the surgery, but just in case:

Our son had surgery at 4 months old. We were told he likely would go home almost immediately after, i.e. within a few hours. We waited and waited to hear something, and what we finally heard was "They're admitting him." We tried not to freak out, wondering what had gone wrong.

Turns out nothing was wrong. The person who said that had no idea we had been told something different; she thought she was just keeping us informed. DS did have to stay the whole day, but it was more a miscommuniation than anything else.

My point is, don't let anything rattle you. The left hand may not know what the right hand has told you. So don't worry if things don't go the way you were told they would go. That's perfectly normal.

Here's to a successful surgery and healthy outcome.

[DeeEast]

You're probably not checking here anymore before the surgery, but just in case:


My point is, don't let anything rattle you. The left hand may not know what the right hand has told you. So don't worry if things don't go the way you were told they would go. That's perfectly normal.



Wow is that such a good point. We have had nothing but wonderful things to say about our experience at Children's, but that does happen and it can rattle you. Excellent point.

[chinook]

You're in my thoughts. Sending much love.

[citymama]

Sending many prayers, blessings and hugs your son's way. I hope everything goes really well with the surgery and the recovery. Take care of yourself. :hug:

[MoJo]

Praying for your son and for you, thinking he may be in surgery or close to it depending on what time zone you're in.

[set81616]

P & PT
Shannon

[Momof3Labs]

Thinking of you today and hoping that all goes very smoothly. Please keep us posted!

[ThreeofUs]

Don't know what time zone you're in, but thinking of you today. Please let us know.

[daisymommy]

Big hugs :hug: to you, and prayers for your little one. I feel for you so much! Andrew had to have heart surgery at 3 weeks old, and it was one of the scariest times of our life. But all went smoothly, and it was a time for DH and I to grow closer through it. May all be well for your son!

[BabyMine]

Praying for DS and your whole family. :praying:

[gatorsmom]

I"m saying lots of prayers that everything turns out well.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Just said another prayer for little Benje. Let us know asap how he's doing (and you too!)

[karolyp]

Praying for your son and your family today.

[MamaMolly]

:grouphug: thinking of you and your DS today.

[Indianamom2]

Chiming in late, but hoping that your little boy comes through his surgery with flying colors and no complications.

Christina

[missym]

Sending lots of prayers and PT that things are going well today and that your little guy recovers quickly! :grouphug: