WARNING: (Somewhat) graphic photos that may not be suitable for your kiddos.
If you've been following our Facebook page, you know that surgery went well today. In the surgeon's words, "as well as [he] could've hoped." We received updates every hour from the OR regarding the progress of the procedure. All-in-all, surgery was a success. No more shunt. Second stage of reconstruction complete. The only "wild card" was what they might do with Brooke's left pulmonary artery which showed some narrowing during the cath she had earlier in the month. Our surgeon decided to go ahead and add some patch material to that artery to remedy the narrowing and allow it to grow well with Brooke. That part of the procedure also went well.
We finally got to see our sweet babe around 3:15 this afternoon. She came up to the Cardiac ICU (CICU) with the breathing tube still in, but the doctors wanted to get it out as soon as possible. So, while we were in the room, one of the doctors suctioned her mouth to stimulate her and try to wake her up a little. It worked. And it ticked her off. :) But it did show us that she was ready for that breathing tube to come out...so out it came! Also, unlike last time, she came back with her chest closed today. Still all the tubes and wires, but no open chest. She actually looks really good. She's a little puffy, but we expected that. Also, the doctors have been fairly pleased with her numbers overall other than her blood pressure being a bit high. They're trying to find the right balance of keeping her comfortable with minimal pain and not so comfortable that she doesn't want to breath on her own.
Honestly, the afternoon and evening have been extremely difficult...for Brooklyn, for John and for me. She's been in a lot of pain, presumably as a result of the headaches caused by this particular procedure. The specific work they do on her heart with the Glenn procedure increases the pressure in her chest and head causing severe headaches. We were aware of this going into today, but nothing could have really prepared us for this. She has whimpered/cried non-stop since she came up to the CICU. It's just pitiful. And unbelievably difficult. John and I had been taking turns about every hour sitting at her bedside holding her little hand. Stroking her forehead. Talking to her. Praying over her. Doing everything we can to let her know we're right beside her. We decided to take longer shifts tonight so that one of us can sleep in the parent lounge and the other can stay at Brooke's bedside. We seriously could not make it through this without God sustaining us. He is our strength and our shield. Holding on to this promise a dear friend reminded me of today... "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." -Isaiah 40:29 He sure does! Praise Him!
Here's a glimpse of what our first couple of hours post-op were like...
So, praises and prayer requests...
- praise that surgery went remarkably well
- praise for the continued excellent care we have here in St. Louis
- praise for YOU...all those who love and support us :)
- praise that my mom and dad are caring for our two big girls while we're here focused on Brooklyn (a huge blessing that eases our minds!)
- pray that Brooklyn's headaches subside immediately and that her pain level decreases
- pray that her blood pressure comes down (an affect of being in such pain)
- pray that the doctors find the right combination of meds to keep Brooklyn comfortable
- pray for amazing sleep when John and I have our turn in the parent lounge
Thank you again, friends and family for covering us in prayer, thinking of us and loving us. We are overwhelmed by all of the support from those who know us intimately to those who don't know us at all, and everyone in between. We are SO grateful for you!
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