Amazing!

We just got to the hospital and Lynnlee is doing amazing! Originally they told us to plan on her being in the CICU for 2-5 days. She is doing so well that she is moving out of the CICU and to the surgical floor today around lunch time. What a miracle! They will take out the rest of her central lines and Foley catheter. She hasn't needed as much Morphine to control her pain. She can eat whatever now, thank goodness. It was so hard telling her no yesterday when she asked for water. She would point to the sink and didn't understand why she couldn't have it. This morning she is having rice krispys in chocolate milk.

Her eyes lit up when she saw us this morning. The night nurse only had good things to say about her.

So nice to start the day with good news!

I Will Survive

Well, we survived the big day. We had to be there at 6:30 and we left at 7:00 tonight for shift change when visiting hours were over.

Lynnlee was off the ventilator when she got to the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit). She was pretty uncomfortable throughout the afternoon. I can't blame her. She kept telling us, "I want to be done." She was only 7 months old for her last open heart surgery so this has been a lot harder for her and for us to see her this way. I have a huge feeling of helplessness. We couldn't hold her. They told us tomorrow should be better. They'll take some if her central lines out, she'll get liquids and some food, and we can hold her again. Thanks for all the prayers and support! We have felt them and truly appreciate them!

Thank goodness for my Aunt and Uncle who live by Shriner's hospital. We are staying here while Lynnlee is in the CICU. It's nice to know we are minutes away if she needs us.

More updates to come tomorrow.

Update

Technology has made giving updates so much easier. So thankful for that!

Lynnlee just got out of surgery and is headed to cardiac intensive care unit. We will get to see her soon. She did great and the doctor only had positive things to say.

Big Day

The big day is here for Lynnlee. We are in the waiting room while she is in surgery. She went back about an hour ago. The surgery will take about 6 hours so it's going to be a long day and a long time before we see her again.

Here are some links about her open heart surgery if you are interested. The surgery is called "Fontan" named after the doctor who started it. They have been doing this surgery since 1968 and it has gotten better over the years so that's comforting.

Wikipedia version: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontan_procedure

More in-depth version: http://www.pted.org/?id=fontan1

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/s/sv/


Lynnlee was great this morning before going back. She played with toys and was happy as can be.

Stay tuned for more updates to come.

Lynnlee

As some of you know we have been waiting for Lynnlee's next surgery that we were thinking would be around March or April of 2013. With her heart defect there were no definite dates but just guesses. She started getting more tired and blue in color a few weeks ago so we took her to the Cardiologist. Sure enough the doctor said Lynnlee was ready and needing her next surgery which will be the last surgery until she needs a transplant. So although the timing surprised us, we want to do what is best for Lynnlee. Yesterday she had a cardiac cath and echocardiogram to take measurements and get her ready for the big surgery that takes place tomorrow. Lynnlee is so tough and did great yesterday. She was so nice to all the staff at Primary Children's and listened to all of their instructions. She had to lay still for 6 hours after the procedure. That is not easy for a 2-year-old to do. She didn't fight but stayed in bed like she was suppose to. At first they told us she would have to stay the night but luckily everything went so well we were able to come home last night. Thank you to all of our family, friends and missionaries from my parent's mission who prayed and fasted for Lynnlee this past Sunday. We appreciate it so much!

Here she is getting ready to go back. A wagon ride is the best way to coax a kid to the OR.

On our way home!

New Rider

We have a new bicycle rider in our family! James learned yesterday while he was at my parent's house. My brother Kasey is very influential and taught him. Now James can ride with his cousin Lucy who already knows how to ride. Marshall and I were at the hospital with Lynnlee so we missed out on it but thankfully Andrea sent us a video.

Brigham City Temple

We were able to go see the Brigham City Temple during the open house with our friends, the Tibbs. I'm so glad we got to go! As we were walking through Lynnlee kept saying, "This is fun!" James loved all the sparkly lights. 

Lagoon

We had a trip to Disneyland planned for November but since Lynnlee's health has taken a turn we have to postpone the trip until Spring. My kids were ad so we decided to go to Lagoon to make up for it. We went on Saturday. There are lot of extra fun things for kids during Frightmares. A corn maze, non scary haunted house, and trick or treating. My kids had a blast with all of that and the rides. My Mom watched Kaden since he is too little to enjoy Lagoon. Thanks Mom! Of course Aunt Betsy, the favorite aunt came with. We had a great day and enjoyed that it wasn't very crowded.

Trick-or-treating or James calls it "Trick-or-treasure!"

Favorite Aunt Betsy and James