It's 7:30 and we're about to head up to the CVICU to go see Brycen. We should be there just in time for visiting hours to open at 8.
Brycen's blood pressure continued to drop after we left last night. I called right before we went to bed (just after I posted) and they had started another medication to try and get the pressure back up. Christy and I both slept soundly, but woke up at 2am and thought we should call and check on him. The nurse said that the new med that they had started was starting to take effect and he was looking stable "for now."
We haven't heard anything this morning and we are assuming no news is good news. We didn't call because of the shift change, so we're about to head that way.
Not sure how often I can post today, but will do so as time allows. Just remember that prayers are better than blogs anyway :) Let's pull Brycen through this!
Family of 3...soon to be 5!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Surgery Day Wrap Up
It's 10:00 and we are back at the hotel to get some much needed rest. Obviously this has been a very taxing day and we need it pretty bad. Before we get to sleep I wanted to give a good wrap up of what all happened during surgery.
The CT scan today revealed that coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta was our problem. Interruption of the aorta and/or the PDA valve was not the case. It was determined through the scan that what was being called an irregular shaped aorta was actually the PDA valve protruding into the aorta. This was the valve that should have closed after birth but ended up being the life saver by staying open. It was protruding into the aorta just after the coarctation point. Because of this protrusion and because of the length of the coarctation in the aorta, the best option for surgery was a midline incision through the sternum with the use of a bypass machine. During the surgery, Dr Imamura cut out the section of coarctation and used a "bovine pericardial patch" (also known as a piece of cow heart) to make the aorta complete. He then cut out the PDA valve since it is no longer needed. As stated earlier, everything went "textbook" during the short 3 1/2 hour procedure. We are so blessed that everything went so smoothly.
Brycen is now in CVICU (cardiovascular intensive care) for recovery. The next 24-48 hours are CRUCIAL for his full recovery. When we got to go back to his room before dinner Brycen was doing great. To mom and dad he looks scary and not so good, but to the doctors and nurses he looks very good. We returned for another visit after dinner (we're only allowed 10 mins every hour due to INTENSIVE care) and decided it would be best that we head home. Between our two visits, Brycen has become a tad unstable. His blood pressure took a pretty big drop and his blood gases came back a little low (blood gases measure how your other organs are performing). The doctor told us this was nothing major and is NOT unusual at all. They see many changes in the first few hours of recovery and "just have to find the combination that works." They made a few minor changes and were taking new blood gas tests as we were leaving. They expected them to come back a little better since his blood pressure was starting work its way back to normal. The doctor reassured us this wasn't anything to panic about and informed us that Brycen is hardly on any medications and is pretty much doing everything on his own. "We still have plenty of tricks left up our sleeve," is what she told us as we left.
We ask that the prayers for Brycen and every child at Children's continue and don't forget to praise God for the miracle he brought us through today. We need a GOOD next 24-48 hours before we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We will update as often as we can tomorrow. I expect another "holding pattern" for a few days.
Thank you for all you have done for us!!!!!
The CT scan today revealed that coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta was our problem. Interruption of the aorta and/or the PDA valve was not the case. It was determined through the scan that what was being called an irregular shaped aorta was actually the PDA valve protruding into the aorta. This was the valve that should have closed after birth but ended up being the life saver by staying open. It was protruding into the aorta just after the coarctation point. Because of this protrusion and because of the length of the coarctation in the aorta, the best option for surgery was a midline incision through the sternum with the use of a bypass machine. During the surgery, Dr Imamura cut out the section of coarctation and used a "bovine pericardial patch" (also known as a piece of cow heart) to make the aorta complete. He then cut out the PDA valve since it is no longer needed. As stated earlier, everything went "textbook" during the short 3 1/2 hour procedure. We are so blessed that everything went so smoothly.
Brycen is now in CVICU (cardiovascular intensive care) for recovery. The next 24-48 hours are CRUCIAL for his full recovery. When we got to go back to his room before dinner Brycen was doing great. To mom and dad he looks scary and not so good, but to the doctors and nurses he looks very good. We returned for another visit after dinner (we're only allowed 10 mins every hour due to INTENSIVE care) and decided it would be best that we head home. Between our two visits, Brycen has become a tad unstable. His blood pressure took a pretty big drop and his blood gases came back a little low (blood gases measure how your other organs are performing). The doctor told us this was nothing major and is NOT unusual at all. They see many changes in the first few hours of recovery and "just have to find the combination that works." They made a few minor changes and were taking new blood gas tests as we were leaving. They expected them to come back a little better since his blood pressure was starting work its way back to normal. The doctor reassured us this wasn't anything to panic about and informed us that Brycen is hardly on any medications and is pretty much doing everything on his own. "We still have plenty of tricks left up our sleeve," is what she told us as we left.
We ask that the prayers for Brycen and every child at Children's continue and don't forget to praise God for the miracle he brought us through today. We need a GOOD next 24-48 hours before we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We will update as often as we can tomorrow. I expect another "holding pattern" for a few days.
Thank you for all you have done for us!!!!!
Recovery
Recovery is underway. Brycen is stablized and WE GOT TO GO BACK AND SEE HIM!! The poor guy looks pretty beat up, but as they have been all this long road, his vitals are excellent. CVICU is overcrowded right now, but they are moving some kids around. Until then, Brycen is under recovery in the operating room. What a miracle this all has been! Thank you again for all your prayers and support.
We love you all!
We love you all!
Update 4:10
Surgery is complete!!! We just talked with Dr Imamura and the surgery went very well!!!! Brycen remains sedated but is very stable and did excellent through the procedure. He is being transferred into recovery and then will be placed in CVICU for at least 5-10 days. From there we will go back to NICU. Of course the possibility of infection and many others exist, but we'll continue to pray for a smooth recovery.
I will try to post after we get to see him in a few hours.
We will remember this day forever and we will always know that God made it happen. Praise His name!!!!
I will try to post after we get to see him in a few hours.
We will remember this day forever and we will always know that God made it happen. Praise His name!!!!
Surgery Update 2:30
Brycen has been through his CT scan and underwent surgery starting at 12:30. We are receiving hourly updates from a nurse in the room.
Today has been a good day so far. Dr. Imamura met with Christy and I just after the CT scan and the good news has already started flowing. Brycen definitely has coarctation of the aorta and there is NOT any interruption at all. We thought this was going to lead to the 9 Minute fix, but the Dr wants to make sure of the exact size of the coarctation to "patch" it instead of "balloon" it to make it stretch. So, he has been put on the bypass machine and the procedure will take several hours but as of our first update from nurse Richard everything is "textbook." Now if that doesn't make you think prayers aren't being answered, try this one out. Brycen was on schedule to have surgery at 12:00. Right as the Dr was ready to perform the incision and child on floor one had a life threatening emergency. Everyone in the operating room had to leave to take care of that child. We were expecting an hour delay, but God took care of the other child as well and Dr Imamura and staff were back and started at 12:30. God is present in Children's today!!!!!!
And more good news!!! We just got another update as I was typing and the actual coarctation is fixed. Brycen is starting to come off of the bypass machine and everything is still textbook. Now they will continue to monitor the heart through the incision and make sure all is well with his heart.
Keep the prayers and praises ascending!!!
Today has been a good day so far. Dr. Imamura met with Christy and I just after the CT scan and the good news has already started flowing. Brycen definitely has coarctation of the aorta and there is NOT any interruption at all. We thought this was going to lead to the 9 Minute fix, but the Dr wants to make sure of the exact size of the coarctation to "patch" it instead of "balloon" it to make it stretch. So, he has been put on the bypass machine and the procedure will take several hours but as of our first update from nurse Richard everything is "textbook." Now if that doesn't make you think prayers aren't being answered, try this one out. Brycen was on schedule to have surgery at 12:00. Right as the Dr was ready to perform the incision and child on floor one had a life threatening emergency. Everyone in the operating room had to leave to take care of that child. We were expecting an hour delay, but God took care of the other child as well and Dr Imamura and staff were back and started at 12:30. God is present in Children's today!!!!!!
And more good news!!! We just got another update as I was typing and the actual coarctation is fixed. Brycen is starting to come off of the bypass machine and everything is still textbook. Now they will continue to monitor the heart through the incision and make sure all is well with his heart.
Keep the prayers and praises ascending!!!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
FAITH not fear!!!
I didn't think I would post again today, but we came back to the hotel to get some sleep earlier than we originally thought. We had a few developments after lunch that are worthy of sharing, and tomorrow we might not have time to update before the CT scan and surgery. We met with the anesthesiologist after lunch today. He explained exactly what would happen from his side of the surgery and gave us all the details if the procedure has to be a complete bypass or if it was a side entry "balloon" surgery. A complete bypass will be necessary if the CT scan shows that the aorta is interrupted or is shaped irregular. This surgery will be very extensive as major repairs would have to be made to the aorta and will last from 6 to 8 hours.
If there is not any interruption or irregularity of the aorta and all we're dealing with is coarctation (narrowing) of the aorta, the surgery is done from his side and they use a "balloon" to widen the constricted space. This procedure takes this particular doctor 9 MINUTES.
Dr. "Michi" Imamura will be the surgeon. Please pray that God will bless Dr. Imamura and hide him behind the Lord's hands tomorrow. We are approaching tomorrow with FAITH not fear!!!
The highlight of our stay happened just after we talked with the anesthesiologist. The nurses (Cydne & Dana) had seen enough of our sadness and went above and beyond for us today.......they held all the wires and tubes together and let us hold Brycen!!!!!! It was a moment we will never forget. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people taking care of all 3 of us!
The pictures are of us holding him today and then of Cydne holding him up for us when he opened those little eyes. We are off to bed!
Thank you sooooooooo much for all you all have done. We could not get through this without you. May God bless each and every one of you and may He be present in Brycen's life tomorrow.
We love you all!!!!!
Sunday Update 1:45pm
We came to see Brycen at 4 this morning and he was sound asleep as we had left him last night. He was doing so well, we decided to head back to the hotel and get some more sleep. When we came back at 11, we had just missed the on-call doctor but the nurse was able to fill us in on the agenda.
The CT scan will take place in the morning and then the computer model for his heart will be built from that. As soon as the model is complete he will go into surgery tomorrow afternoon. We will talk with all of the staff involved in the surgery in the morning right after the scan. They will inform us of the entire procedure and what all is involved.
Brycen remains as comfortable and stable as a kid can be. He even got to have one IV port removed from his hand so he's getting to suck on those fingers he's been looking for. He's doing awesome!! We're going to go back in and see him and see if we can get him to open those little eyes we like to see. I will only post today unless there is a major change because the "holding pattern" still continues and Christy and I want to spend all the time we can with him before the scan and surgery.
Obviously tomorrow is the BIG day, so keep those prayers going! We can't thank all of you enough for all you have done! We love you all!
The CT scan will take place in the morning and then the computer model for his heart will be built from that. As soon as the model is complete he will go into surgery tomorrow afternoon. We will talk with all of the staff involved in the surgery in the morning right after the scan. They will inform us of the entire procedure and what all is involved.
Brycen remains as comfortable and stable as a kid can be. He even got to have one IV port removed from his hand so he's getting to suck on those fingers he's been looking for. He's doing awesome!! We're going to go back in and see him and see if we can get him to open those little eyes we like to see. I will only post today unless there is a major change because the "holding pattern" still continues and Christy and I want to spend all the time we can with him before the scan and surgery.
Obviously tomorrow is the BIG day, so keep those prayers going! We can't thank all of you enough for all you have done! We love you all!
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