O2, to the rescue.

Follow the oxygen tube to find Jack..

Here's a big hint.

I suppose it's good that oxygen is getting in there SOMEHOW.

It is very nice to be home-- it is alot like the hospital, but more comfortable. I need to be at Jack's side CONSTANTLY. Or he has a panic attack. And if I leave the room (even to visit the bathroom) he walks till the O2 line runs out of slack, then stands there crying till I come back. He seems to be very, very sensitive and has a little separation anxiety. I'm hoping this passes...(please God, let it pass..)

Other than his more frequent crying, and hormonal-seeming outbursts, he is doing very well. We've played Rockband, trains, marbles, colors and many other things. He is happy to be here, still hesitant of his condition, but much better than at the hospital.

He is also protective of his incision. We got word that he could take a shallow bath, and he said "No! I'll get my stickers wet!" and after we promised we wouldn't get them wet, he was ok with it. As long as I stay on top of his pain medication he is comfortable, but it is obvious that when he wakes up he is hurting. So soon he will heal...and feel all better.

Thanks everyone for your support. And the meals...they are excellent.

My boy is home. And so is his fixed Heart.

Pictures from the Journey..

Mission completion!

Update

For recent update go HERE.

Pre-Op prepped.

We had a smooth pre-op morning. Jack had an x-ray, had his heart listened to, and had his blood drawn. Then he was tagged multiple times so his identity will never be confused, and if he loses his ID tags, we will have to RE-admit him and have his blood drawn again. So we'll rely on the one they glued to his back that he can't reach...

We had a fun day at the Zoo, then headed home for a nap. He'll be having some friends and family over to visit tonight, and he'll receive a blessing, then we will hopefully get a good night sleep- and head out tomorrow morning at 6:00.

Onward we go.

Tomorrow- I will be updating throughout the day, but mainly to THIS blog, as to keep the upbeat happiness alive on our "family blog". So when you come here to check on the updates throughout surgery and recovery, you will most likely be led HERE.

Mathematical equation.

THIS

PLUS

THIS

EQUALS

THIS

Early Easter

This is mainly going to be a photo gallery post. We had Easter early for Jack, we did eggs, and then rolled them. (If you don't know what that means, I'll explain later.)

Slight Hiccup-

Surgery is postponed, only a day. The PICU is full (which is never a good thing..) and they needed to push us to Wednesday. So April 8th, pre-op on the 7th.

Meet Jack's Surgeon

Dr. Kouretas has been there since the beginning. He knows Jack inside and out. (Literally.)

This man is responsible for Jack's life, and we trust him with it. I can't imagine the pressure these doctor's feel each day, with so many special lives in their hands, but it is absolutely phenomenal that they do this service to strangers. It is something they are so good at that they make a living saving lives. I hope they get to go home and get a good nights sleep doing what they do. Because I don't know if I could.

Dr. Kouretas will be performing the Fontan on Jack. It is where they attach the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery. That way, Jack's heart won't have to work as hard as it is (being that it's working twice as hard already.) Once this surgery is complete, Jack's oxygen levels should raise from the 80's to the 90's, he shouldn't get as winded doing normal acitivities, and he should visually appear pinker. (Rather than the dusky blue he is sporting right now...)

For those of you who are asking us what you can do for us during this hard time- of getting through this last surgery, please pray for Dr. Kouretas. He is the miracle maker in this combination.

The Fun Begins

When he wakes up he must choose whether to fight on the side of Man, or Machine.

We had a successful echo, and ekg.

However, Jack can be quite belligerent coming off of a heavy sedative.

Next up will be pre-op, on April 6th.

Got it.

SURGERY, APRIL 7th

Sedated Echo, March 19th