The Waiting Game

10:00 AM: After an emotional morning we dropped Declan off at the OR for the Norwood operation at about 8:30 this morning.  So now the waiting game begins.  We are trying to keep busy: cross-stich, blogging, whatever it takes to pass the time and not dwell on the situation. (Although I realized I didn't marry Tammy for her cross-stitching skills.)  Each nurse that approaches the waiting room cause our eyes to dart up to see if she will be the one to give us the update.  Many names have been called, but no Declan yet. 

We arrived here at 7am and were rewarded with some special time with Declan. We took turns holding him, kissing him, talking to him, and with Grandpa's help, giving him a blessing. The NNICU nurse was kind enough to allow both Grandma and Grandpa in with us to say some emotional goodbyes.  We were prepared to put up a fight before giving him up; but know he needs this procedure so we tearfully and reluctantly gave him up. We know he will be watched over. 

2:30 PM: One of the nurses from the OR popped out about an hour ago. Said Declan was doing well. They have started the repair, but he looks good to this point. Thanks for everybody's thoughts and prayers! It's really meant a lot to us during this time: family, friends, friends of friends and more - we are grateful for you all!

7:30 PM Sorry its been a long afternoon so hadn't had a chance to update. The surgeons returned about 3:30 or so. They gave us a good report: he handled the surgery well. The doctor liked the way he adjusted during the surgery so he was able to close his chest.  He said his bleeding was under control as well.  His Aorta was on the small side (even for HLHS babies). But that was part of the repair and the surgeon said it was par for the course. Declan was wheeled up to the PICU where we got our first look at him.  It was a bit rough.  Although his chest was closed, his incision was difficult to look at. He is very swollen from the various fluids and has a multitude of lines and tubes coming out of his body.  There always seems to be 4 to 5 doctors in the room asking the nurse about various numbers and wanting this IV or that IV to be adjusted. 

From the discussions with the doctors the next 12 hours are the most critical of when something can potentially go wrong; so they keep a close eye on him.  I was doing pretty good right after the surgery and felt very upbeat. But now it seems a bit stressful to be in the room with him with the numbers flashing all over the screen mixed with various alarms constantly going off.  I'm also straining to pick up the lingo from the doctors constantly conversing with each other about this measurement or that measurement - just out of an audible level.  I can't help trying to memorize the thresholds for all the numbers and tests.  Tammy tells me that I have to let it go and trust the doctors and nurses, but I find it hard. I'm not sure if it a control thing, but I find myself wanted to know when each measurement threshold is breached and why. It's going to be a long night and longer couple of weeks.