Post Fontan

Abigail surgery was finished around 1 pm. Met with her surgeon Dr Heinle around 1:15. He said everything went as expected, no complications noted during surgery. At that time she was waking up from anesthesia. They took her to CVICU and got her stabilized and and connected to all of her medications. I think she is hooked up to 5 different IV infusions. She has an IV in her hand and one in her neck, an arterial line in her wrist, incision from surgery, 3 chest tubes draing blood/fluid, a foley catheter to drain urine, ekg leads on her chest, some monitor on her forehead, thermometer reading 'rectal' temp, pulse oximeter on her finger, nasal cannula for oxygen, and pacing wires. A lot for a 4 year old. Hopefully little by little we will rid these monitors and tubes. She is still very sleepy , wakes up occasionally and seems disoriented, grumpy and uncomfortable. First asking for water or chocolate milk. She is on a fluid restriction at this time. so far we have had ice chips an few times that she has tolerated and enjoyed. They are keeping her pain under control. So far so good. will keep posted

fontan update

Abigail has been doing great with all her updates this morning. After anesthesia and placing lines they took their time going through the sternum. scar tissue accumulates from previous surgeries, they take their time going through that area, careful not knick the heart in the process. Last update about 1130: she is on heart-lung machine, doing well. Dr Hienle is finishing the actual Fontan procedure. When that is complete they will start closing her up. Once she is is done they spend 1-2 hours getting her settled in ICU before we will be able to see her. The prayers are working, keep them coming!

Fontan Surgery- surgery day

Well its been almost 4 years since I've made an entry to this blog about Abigail. In my mind that is a good thing. I started it up when she was born to keep everyone up to date during her hospital stays and surgeries. Thankfully, she has been out of the hospital for almost 4 years. So we have been living the life of a normal child and thankfully have had nothing to updat

e on. Well, unfortunately today is the dreaded day. The 3rd of the three surgeries planned for her since before birth. Just to backtrack a little. Abigail was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Right Heart (her right ventricle never really developed, so must functions with 3 chambers)and also Pulmonary Atresia (a congenital malformation of the pulmonary valve in which the valve orifice fails to develop. the valve is completely closed thereby obstructing the outflow of blood from the heart to the lungs). BT shunt (1st surgery) done at 2 wks of age. Glenn Shunt (2nd surgery) done at 5 months. So we have dreaded this day, but in the end I guess it has to be done. Abigail has been in good spirits about "the hospital". We have a prize box,shopped for snacks, games, toys and entertainment. talked about visitors, even visited another heart friend on the cardiology floor to orient her to upcoming scenario. We arrived at hospital at 0600 this AM. she was in good spirits, wanting to play and watch TV until the dreaded oral versed, which probably has ruined the whole hospital experience. She threw it up , and cried about the taste. Right at 0700 she willingly let the anesthesiologist walk her back to the OR. I cried my eyes out. It is the hardest thing to do to. No child deserves to be put in this situation. Please keep praying that she surgery will go well without complications. she will wake up from anesthesia, and be on the road to a quick recovery. Will continue to post updates as i get them