First off, because one of the doctors who is doing his catheterization needs to be out of town on the 10th we have been working since last week to find a new date that is suitable for all of us. Originally
they wanted to wait until Oct 22nd and I said we were not happy with that, if they could see what else they could do. So after much back and forth it seems they "found" a time on the 8th. The issue is that it will be an afternoon surgery starting at 12:30 instead of 7:30 AM. So we will have a crankier little boy. He can have clear juice up to 2 hours prior to surgery and he tolerates juice okay.
I wanted to give an update on his Cardiac MRI he had last week. He was sedated for over 3 hours. We knew it would be a longer procedure. However, when he was out the nurse told us they had a difficult time finding a vein for his IV. They sedate first then do the IV, which is
very helpful for all involved. When we got home I counted 21 pokes on his hands, arms, legs, feet and even groin. We are told he has fragile veins. We were also told he was dehydrated. This little pip only weights 22 lbs and he definitely takes in enough for his body weight. But he does not eat or drink very much at all. I have to coax him a lot to drink or eat at all. So whether it was just dehydration or weak veins or both, I am not sure.
When he had his cath done in July they had a similar issue. It took an hour then for them to get the IV and the Cath in his veins. So the positive that I am finding in doing an afternoon surgery is that will
give us more time to get fluids into since he is allowed water and juice 2 hours prior to surgery. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise?
We are planning to stay down near the hospital as a family for the first few nights of his surgery. We live about 90 minutes away when traffic is bad, and lately after the floods it has gotten a bit worse.
Today we were able to book 2 rooms at the nearby base, which has very nice housing quarters with a full size kitchen for $60. Our insurance will reimburse for one room, so it will be doable for the first few nights. This base is about 15 minutes away from the hospital, so not as close as the Marriott across the street, but pretty good for a better price and rooms.
I spoke with the cardiologist today regarding the results for his Cardiac MRI. Isaiah's right ventricle is only functioning at 22%, when it should be at 60%. The doctor said that while the procedure of
adding a stent to the left pulmonary artery will help take off the pressure, it will likely not improve that RV function too much. The whole point of this surgery is to stop the damage from occurring any
longer saving his heart and lungs altogether. I guess I thought it would do more for him and was understanding it would help it to dilate less, but the doctor was not as optimistic. He said it could take years for that to change. But our Faith is bigger than that and I know that his Creator will heal him. The doctor also said that he will always have lung issues, (pulmonary hypertension) since he has had it his entire life. But he was hopeful that he would still be able to lead a pretty regular life, playing sports even.
Today I would just be happy if Isaiah had the energy to run around like a normal 3 year old and drink more than a couple sips or take a few bites of a toddler size meal at a time, without fatiguing and pushing it away. The doctor said he will continue to need oxygen for some time, but whether it
would be months or years we will just have to observe and follow him closely. He will also be more susceptible to lung infections. Which is a big reason why we wanted this surgery done before viral and flu season ahead.
I am asking for prayer as we prepare for his surgery.
1. That he would stay healthy before surgery and during recovery. We
keep having some tiny little colds going through our kiddos. I am
always having the children wash their hands and take vitamins. Isaiah
is taking his Vit C, Vit D and garlic. I have just added probiotics
too. But I am about to put a "no touch Isaiah rule" around the house
for those that are sickly.
2. I also want prayer that the morning of surgery he will not be too
agitated with not being able to eat. That is a long time for him to
wait.
3. Last request is that his veins would cooperate. I am trying to give
extra Vit C which is also supposed to help make veins stronger.
I plan to post at least after the surgery when he is still sleeping an update.
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