The hospital visit

We arrived at 7am sharp. Knowing that Daniel was hungry and thirsty, the nurses gave him some juice, since he was slated to be the second procedure of the day. Shortly thereafter, we heard rumblings that someone didn't show up and Daniel could go first. Unfortunately, he had already consumed the apple juice and now had to wait four hours---grrrrr. We weren't real happy about that, nor was the Director of Catheterization! Finally at about 12:30, they proceeded with IV, which Daddy was present for. Thankfully, Madi and I weren't there to witness that mess. I guess they had a problem finding his little veins. When they came back, it was clear that Daniel's sweet little face was in tears. Daddy was on the verge too. About half an hour later, the anesthesiologists came to sedate Daniel and take him to the cath lab. He was happy that they allowed him to be in control and administer his own anesthesia! A few minutes later, it was apparent that his little world was spinning.

Two hours later, after many trips to the vending machines (Madi's favorite part of a hospital visit), we were brought the good news from Dr. Sandhu herself. Daniel did great and they were very optimistic about his pulmonary system. He has two very strong arteries and only two collateral vessels had formed. One of them, on the left, was what they originally thought was an open PDA. It is not. The PDA is closed. This collateral vessel is what is getting oxygen to his lungs! There was another small vessel on the right side, but it had narrowed quite a bit and wasn't functioning effectively so they closed it off. Daniel's case will be discussed at the catheter conference and we should know soon how and when they will proceed with surgery.

It took a while to calm Daniel down after the procedure. Thankfully, we had been warned by several people about kids and anesthesia so we were prepared. By the time they released him from the recovery room, it was after 6pm and they wanted us to stay for the night to observe him. We settled into our room after 7pm. Daddy took Madi home, and I stayed with Daniel. It was a long night of little sleep. It seemed like he would just get to sleep and someone would come in to take his vitals or poke him! It was frustrating, but the hospital was the best place to be to make sure Daniel was recovering okay. The next day we woke up at about 5am and we were discharged at 10:00 after he was checked out and given a good report. Daddy came to pick us up and we both passed out on the way home!

Daniel was fabulous. Fabulous and resilient. Madi was pretty brave herself. What she witnessed watching her little brother come out of anesthesia was pretty brutal, but she handled it amazingly well. It appears as though she has a new appreciation and level of protection for him. He is an unbelievably strong little boy.

Here we are at the hospital!

Thank goodness for apple juice!
Patience is a virtue...
Paging Dr. Daniel...

Finally at 12:30! Administering his own anesthesia!

It was a rough ride, but I'm smiling again!

I think I'm going home today!