Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. I was too tired to write an update yesterday. Yesterday was a good day for Lynnlee because she moved out of the CICU and up to the surgical floor. She had an echocardiogram in the morning while she was still in the CICU. It showed some decreased heart functioning but the surgeon reassured me that this is normal after having open heart surgery. They started her on some medicine that should help her heart function improve over time.

She was moved to the surgical floor yesterday afternoon. The surgeon said we can go home when Lynnlee's oxygen can be weaned to 1/2 liter. I guess that can be a couple of days so we just have to see how she does. Right now she's on 1 liter of oxygen. She's really close. We've tried to turn it down but she doesn't tolerate it too well.

She had a low grade fever through the night. Hopefully it's just teething or something and not an infection. That could keep her in the hospital longer. I'm ready to be home and I think she is too.

We'll see how today goes. Hopefully I'll get another update out later today.

Post-Op Day 3

We had so much fun with Lynnlee today. She was more like herself. She was smiling, laughing and playing with toys. She's even sitting up better than before her surgery. Who would have thought she would have enough strength for that?! I just love her so much. She's one tough cookie.

She is still in the CICU. She will have an echocardiogram tomorrow (Monday) morning and then she will move to the surgical floor, hopefully!

My parents brought James to see Lynnlee. He was so excited to see her and us. He sat in her crib with her and played with toys. Lynnlee was happy to see him too.

We wanted to give James some one-on-one time so my parents stayed with Lynnlee and we took James for a walk. James asked where Lynnlee was a couple of times. It's cute to see that he knows who she is and wants her around.

Lynnlee's pictures

Here are pictures from today. Since she can't wear clothes, just her diaper, my Mom brought a cute pink bow to put in her hair to make her more girly.

Post-Op Day 2

Lynnlee's condition is always improving and she's healing so fast. When I got to the hospital in the morning she was getting morphine every 2 hours because otherwise she was uncomfortable and irritable like she was in pain. By the time we left the hospital she hadn't had it for 4 hours and she was sleeping like a baby:)

Through the night they continued to wean her oxygen and she handled it really well.

This morning the surgeon took out her chest tubes and some other lines. I got to feed her some pedialyte a little while after that. She got so excited just at the site of the bottle. It was so funny. She was kicking her legs and kept kicking them the whole time I fed her. If I even tried to move the bottle she would grunt. She went 2 1/2 days without eatting I don't blame her for being hungry!

If she keeps eating well and tolerating the lower oxygen then she'll get to move out of the CICU and up to the surgical floor. I'll post some pictures tonight.

Post Op- Day 1

We spent yesterday afternoon with Lynnlee in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). She was on the ventilator and connected to lots of IVs, chest tubes, foley catheter, monitors, etc. They told us she had been doing a lot of breathing on her own so they wanted to take her off the ventilator. They just wanted her to wake up a little more before taking her off. We were going to stay there late so we could be there when they took her off but we were so tired. All the stress had caught up with me and so I just wanted to get some sleep. The nurses and doctors take such great care of her that I knew I didn't have to worry if I left. My Aunt is letting us stay at her house (She's only a few minutes away!) so we left a little earlier than planned and were able to get a good sleep! The hospital called and woke us at 11:00 last night and said she was off the ventilator and breathing on her own. We were happy to hear the good news, even if it meant waking us up.

Today she is doing just as well. They have taken out some of her IVs and her foley catheter. They are still keeping her mildly sedated so she doesn't try ripping out any other tubes. She seems very comfortable.

She doesn't get to eat yet but hopefully soon. She's on a high amount of oxygen. Once she is weaned to a lower amount they will let her eat.

Thank you for your prayers. All the doctors tell us they are impressed with how well she is doing. We know it is because of everyone's prayers!

Post Surgery

We got to the hospital at 7:00 this morning. Lynnlee was pretty happy considering she hadn't had any milk for 8 hours. They took her back at 8:30. We were nervous but also felt peace. The nurse gave us updates through the whole surgery. The surgeon just came and talked to us and he said everything went very well! We will be headed to the cardiac intensive care unit to see her in just a minute. Thank you for all of your prayers!

Lynnlee's Surgery

Lynnlee is having open heart surgery tomorrow. It wasn't scheduled until the 21st of October but we found out yesterday that they moved it to tomorrow. She had a test a few weeks ago that indicated she needs surgery sooner so that is why they changed it. The name of the surgery is The Glenn. Click on it for more information if you are interested. I will post daily updates while she is in the hospital.

Idaho Falls

We spent the weekend in Idaho Falls. We attended a funeral and celebration of life for my good friend's husband. It's hard when a person passes away at such a young age and unexpectedly. I'm so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and eternal families! There was an amazing feeling of peace and comfort at his funeral. My heart has been broken since finding out this sad news but I've been so grateful to feel peace knowing Heavenly Father is watching over his family. My friend has been so strong through this trial and she is an amazing example!

Saturday we had a picnic before priesthood meeting at a park near the falls. The falls are so beautiful and we were hoping to get some fun pictures with the kids but they weren't in the mood for pictures.
While Marshall was at Priesthood meeting I pushed James and Lynnlee in the stroller on a path around the falls. It was so beautiful. James loved feeding the geese.

James and Lynnlee were really good on the trip.

James brought some toys and had fun playing in the hotel room.

We headed back home this afternoon. James and Lynnlee slept most the way home. We enjoyed listening to conference. I thought the talks were great!