2nd day Post-OP

.... Well after 12 hours yesterday of deep retractions, labored/ difficulty breathing, attempt at CPAP, many respiratory treatments, chest percussion therapy, steriods... and so on... They finally decided to reintubate her. (Put the breathing tube back in to breathe for her). Poor Abigail, I watched her work very hard all day at breathing. They "think" difficulty is due to swelling from intubation. So plan now is to keep her intubated, probably till tomorrow AM, give steroids to reduce swelling, and keep her sedated. They have been giving her BP meds, pain meds, antibiotics, steroids, sedatives, diuretics... and probably some more that I haven't listed. There is 9 IV infusion pumps going right now... some are keeping the many lines into her open.... but 9, OMG!
Abigail woke up yesterday evening for about 5 min. She was looking around, responding to voices, grasping my finger... the highlight of my day...until they gave her more drugs to sedate her.
One of my big concerns is her vocal cords/ nerves...possible damage cause from surgery. She has not cried, moaned, made any noises since surgery. The docs say this is always a possibility, usually damage is temporary. They will have an evaluation done by an ENT. They look at vocal cords and swallowing abilities. Oh, what I would do to hear her cry right now.
I guess that sums it up for now.... keep her in your prayers!

AM update- post surgery

So Abigail had a good night. I had a friend, Angela (mother of another HRHS kid), offer to stay night with her so we could get a good nights rest at home. We thank her so much for doing this, she is a great supporter and very knowledgeable of whats going on. She sat at her bedside throughout the night. Abigail was extubated (breathing tube removed) this AM, so now breathing on her own with a little O2 going into her nose. She is having some labored (difficulty) breathing (retractions). Her chest xray was good, suspect that just some swelling from breathing tube. She has been given breathing treatments and steriods to decrease any swelling. They are medicating her well with morphine and versed to keep her comfortable, she has had her eyes closed most of the AM. She does move her arms and legs a little, seems a little restless. Her platelets have increased (in the 200s).Her face is a little puffy, which is expected. They have now decided to try her on CPAP to assist her with breathing, to try to decrease the work she is having to do on her own. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) just "assists" her, forces extra O2 into her lungs.

Abigail's 2nd Surgery completed!

We are in CVICU now with Abigail. The surgery was done about 4pm. She is stable, but still very sedated. Dr. Heinle did Abigail's surgery today. They were able to place her new shunt (Glenn Shunt), remove her old shunt (BT shunt), and open her PFO
(patent foramen ovale)-allowing blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium (before there was restricted blood flow between the two, allowing too much blood to back up into body). No complications during surgery. She has many tubes hooked up to her right now.... I will give a quick rundown (best I can)
1. NG tube (feeding tube)
2. ET tube (endotracheal tube) down her nose for breathing
3. Central Line (right side of neck)- measuring pulmonary arterial pressure
4. 2 chest tubes
5. pacing wires (if needed)
6. L wrist arterial line (measure blood pressure)
7. L atrial line coming from incision site area (left atrial pressure)
8. IV in left foot
9. foley cath
10. pulse oximeter
11. Right femoral central line
12. Temperature probes (rectal/ and on skin)

Meds: Nitroglycerin, Albumin, Morphine, Ancef, Milrinone.
Her PLT (platelets) are a little low =76... about to infuse some Platelets.
They plan for her to be in CVICU for 2-5 days. Hope for her to be extubated in next 1-2 days.

Thats about it for now, I guess. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, but please keep them coming.

Today, Surgery....

Well they took her back at 0830. They anticipated 1st hour to be just getting all the appropriate lines (IV's, etc) and anesthesia started. They came with the 1st report around 1030. They said all the line access needed had been established, and things well with anesth. That the incision down her chest had just been made. They anticipate that the actually surgery from incision point will be 5-7 hours. They will intend to do the Glenn Shunt and remove the old BT shunt. These 2 things I know for sure. There will be many other decisions/ possible procedures made once they are inside and are able to evaluate the heart up close.
The 2nd update was around 1245. They stated she was on bypass machine, things going smoothly. That the doctor was doing a muscle resection of the right ventricle (" due to overgrowth").... don't ask what that means.... cause I really don't know what that is all about.
Basically the "charge nurse" must go from room to room trying to get and idea of what is going on. She is the one who comes to us with a report. Really not knowing much more than the basics. So not a great resource person for any questions.

thats about it for now. Lots of family here for support and I know there are many of you out there praying for our girl. Thanks .... will keep you updated

Surgery on for Tomorrow!

Surgery is set for tomorrow, September 11th. Once again they kind of sprung this on us today, last minute kind of thing. Surgery is expected to last 6 hours long. They usually give us hourly updates so if anyone out there is reading I will try to update. Please say a prayer that everything will go smoothly, no complications, and she will come out stronger!!

No surgery today

Well as we thought might happen, the surgery is off for today. The kid that was originally scheduled today went on with his/her surgery. We are still scheduled for Monday the 14th. Once again, if a pot becomes available before then she could go sooner. There is always a chance she will get bumped for whatever reason on Monday. We will keep you all posted

Eve of the Glenn or Worry for Nothing

Tonight we anxiously await what tomorrow morning may bring. The child who is scheduled for the first surgery tomorrow morning has been ill, so if he is not in shape for surgery, Abigail will have her Glenn procedure. The Glenn, as you may or may not remember, is the second in a series of three opereations to get blood to Abigail's lungs. If the other kid is well, we will have spent all night preparing for nothing. So it goes with all of this. Hurry up and wait. Please keep Abigail in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. It maybe a very big day for her. Thanks for all your support.