Surgery day

The day began at 4:30 this morning for Scott, Brady and I. Adrenalin was pumping and we were moving. Addison awoke before we left continuing with her tears that she fell asleep with last night. Katie was nice enough to also get up to console her so we could leaves.  By 6 am, okay so 6:15 because we were running late, we were checking into surgery.  Brady has been a rock star about this surgery. Last night he showed some emotion as we received priesthood blessings. This morning was no different.  He was a little nervous, but was easily distracted by the video games he played. To help with the separation before surgery he received a drug that made him really sleepy.  This helped make our "see you later" go much easier and only a few tears were shed.

By 7:40 he was off to the operating room. By 9 he was intubated and all lines were placed. By 10:30 the incision was made and they had to gain access to the heart. This involved carefully cutting through lots of scar tissue.  By noon he was on the bypass machine. The surgeon was able to repair his valve rather than replace. We are very grateful for the surgeons willingness to honor our wishes. He feels like the valve could work for 8 or more years. This is not a permanent fix. We are hoping for medical advances before the valve fails again. By 3 the doctor was placing some pacer wires to be used at a future date.  We finally talked with the doctor by 4:45, where he was looking very tired!  He was pleased with how things went and how well Brady did.  At a little after 5 we were finally able to see Brady in the ICU. 

He is doing better than expected after going through such a lengthy surgery, but he is not out of the woods. The ICU is such a roller coaster. He is really struggling with nausea and having periods of wrenching. Some of his levels that should be going down are going up so labs are being done constantly and medicines given. His temperature is elevated some, but that is to be expected after surgery. Hopefully he can rest well tonight, the anesthesia can work itself out and the morning will go better.

So it is 11:15 and I'm still awake. Scott has gone to a sleep room to rest till 2 then he will give me the rest of the night. For now it is monitors beeping, Brady begging for something to drink during periods of waking.  Oh the life of a hospital. 

We are truly grateful for our Father in Heaven, who has watched over Brady this day and has allowed things to go smoothly. We are thankful for the supportive messages that have helped lift us during the long and difficult day.  Thank you to you all. I'm not sure I can even quantify the acts of service that have been done. Thank you so very much. 

We did get visitors tonight. Katie brought up Addison and Payton to see Brady. Addison didn't want to leave his side and Payton was struggling with her emotions. She really hasn't healed since Brady's first surgery.  As goodbyes were said and Addison is holding onto my neck crying please don't leave me, I'm thinking, haven't we done this before?  So hard to have to choose between children. The hope is that this is a quick stay and we can all be under one roof again soon.