Surgery update - Day 1

I think today has been the longest day of our lives. Seriously. Between vital checks every few hours last night, IVs, feedings, 2 of us sleeping on a twin pull out couch and more, we all got very little sleep. The day started at 5:00 am when Dex woke up and wanted to eat again. We were able to get him back down with a paci but we were also informed we had to get everything out of that room by 6:30 when they would take him to the holding room. So we rushed to get ready and pack up before they came to get him.

They arrived at 6:40 am and we walked him down to the holding room where the anesthesiologist went over everything that was going to happen. Consent forms were signed and we sat and waited. A nurse came over with a warm blanket and asked me to give him to her. Handing him off was the WORST. I wasn't even sure what to do with all of that fear and emotion. We said our goodbyes at 7:10 am and then were left to wait.

The first update came at 9:10 when the nurse told us that the anesthesia went well and that they were about to make the incision.  At 10:45, we got another update that said that he was on bypass and they were about to start repairing the hole.  At 12:15, we learned that he was off of bypass, that his heart had been restarted and that they were closing him up.  At around 2:30 pm, we were allowed to go see him in ICU.  All in all, he did great.  We left there around 9:30 pm tonight and he was still groggy from the sedation and meds.  He seemed to be in discomfort/pain at times which is very hard to watch but to expect him to not have any pain is totally unrealistic.  The only thing a little off right now is that his blood pressure is running a little bit high which they are trying to manage with the right amount of medication.

I'm off to bed.  We are physically and emotionally exhausted.  There is also a huge sense of relief.  Pure joy that the hard part is behind us, that Dex can heal now for good and that hopefully we will never have to revisit a heart issue again.  I am so thankful that we live in a day and age when defects like this CAN be repaired.  The surgeon said his hole was quite big...the size of a dime.  When you consider that his heart is merely the size of strawberry, that's pretty significant.  Thank God it was repairable.

Thank you to everyone reading this and praying for us today.  We are not out of the woods yet, but we sure are on our way.  XOXOXO

At 5 am, playing with his favorite hippo.

In his new hospital gown, waiting to be taken to surgery

One last look at his chest before surgery

In the holding area before the anesthesiologist took him back to surgery

Out of surgery!  In the ICU.

Lots and lots of wires and tubes :(

This is after he was extubated (when they took the tubes out of his throat/esophagus)