Open Heart Surgery #2

Stephen had his second open heart surgery early this morning. It was a success, according to our amazing surgeon. We are so glad that he is safe and has a healthy working heart.

This morning came much too soon for my liking. We were out of bed at 4:30am and headed to the hospital around 5am. We got him checked in and had some labs drawn and thought we would be waiting around for quite some time. But the anesthesiologist came and got him at 7:05 and off he went.

It was nearly impossible to hand him over – I would have rather just tucked him under my shirt and run away from it all. But we knew what had to be done. We somehow mustered the courage to put little buddy’s life in their hands.

They told us the surgery would take about 3 hours and, almost on the nose, the surgeon came and told us everything went well. They patched the rather large hole in his heart and put in a bovine’s jugular valve to act as his pulmonary valve. The surgeon hopes that he will get a good 5 years out of it before it needs replacing. No more surgeries for 5 YEARS – you hear that Stevie??

We were expecting to see the little man by noon, but by 1:30 we still hadn’t heard from anyone, so we started bugging the nurses.  Finally got to see him at 2pm. They are still having a hard time getting him stable. His blood pressure is high and he is bleeding a lot.  Since this was such a major surgery, that’s not totally unheard of.  So they are working on giving him blood transfusions (glad we donated, all our blood types are the same), and something to clot the blood, until the bleeding stops and they get the numbers where they want.

Hubs and I are in the room with him now and I have to say, it has been difficult seeing him like this again. Definitely doesn’t get any easier. I feel kind of sick to my stomach and the tears come easily seeing him struggle even a little bit. They have his pain controlled, but it’s just hard.

Our prayers started out as pleas for his surgery to be a success. They shifted to prayers of gratitude that he made it through. And now we are asking for a swift recovery. Thanks to everyone who joined us in thought and prayer today as we work through. Looking forward to being on the other side of this when it’s all over.

7 Comments
  1. I’m so relieved to hear that surgery was a success — I hope he is home soon and back in mama’s arms. Love and blessings from the south.

  2. Oh, Jaana.
    I’m thinking about you (all) all the time. Prayers and happy thoughts.

  3. Holy sh*t the surgery was today!! I’m so out of it. I’m so glad to hear that it’s done and you are back with him. Seeing the pic of him brought tears to my eyes. To close to home I guess. I just know he with recover quickly and you will all be home before you know it. Will send loving and healing prayers his way just to cover all bases.
    Steven your my hero! What an amazing heart warrior you are. You totally kick ass!
    So much love for you little man.

  4. What a relief. Glad to hear “so far, so good.”
    I can’t imagine what you’re going through.
    Praying hard and often, Jaana.
    Love & hugs from all of us!

  5. thanks for the update sissy – glad he is in such good hands. loves!

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