Almost There

Today has been a fabulous day for Brady.  We both slept well last night and were even able to sleep till 6 before having to go for his chest x-ray.  Brady was excited to ride in a wheel chair to get that done.  I somehow convinced Brady to go back to sleep when we arrived back and we slept till 8:30 when we were once again woken up to find out the doctors were there to do rounds.  The doctors were pleasantly surprised with how well Brady has been doing.  He was to receive a quick dose of Morphine so they could take out his chest tubes and remove the bandages on his chest.  Although Brady laid there and took it all like a champ, he really had gone to his other place trying to block out the pain they were inflicting on him.  He really shut down after they were finished, but no time to withdraw we were off to Cardiology for an echo.  Preliminary results of the echo were that his heart function looked the same as right after surgery so it looks like the repair is holding so far.  This obviously is a good thing.  We finally made it back to his room by 11 where we were met by another visitor.  Thanks Christina for coming up bearing (sp?) gifts.

With Brady's freedom from the chest tubes he is able to move around much easier.  He spent time in the chair with his feet up watching t.v. and playing lego.  After trying to sit up for too long he started to feel pain in his chest so he laid back down in bed and rested the afternoon away.  Another one of Brady's friends visited him today, although he wasn't much fun because he used up all his energy in the morning.  

One goal for the day was to walk three times today.  The tech bringing him back from his echo asked him if he thought he could walk back to his room from the elevators.  He said he would give him a prize if he did.  Brady got up out of the wheel chair and stated he would do anything for a prize!  Brady did complete the goal for the day taking two additional long walks.  He was spent after each one, but he is sure doing awesome.  

When it was time to order breakfast this morning he wasn't so sure he wanted to be at the hospital anymore.  He was really tired of hospital food and just wanted his mom's cooking again.  He did find out he could order a bag of microwave popcorn which ended up being his afternoon snack.

Katie brought the girls up in the evening and they loved Brady's new large and spacious hospital room.  We were no longer stepping on each other.  After some collaboration the kids decided Brady needed to go on a field trip in the wheel chair.  We went down to the cafeteria for an additional dinner for Payton and Addison.  During this meal time Brady's sense of humor returned.  His face was lit up and he was cracking jokes.  It was so good to see him smile again.  

I am home this evening for a sleep at home.  Addison and I drove home in a car together and even though it was 9:00 at night she had so much to tell me that she couldn't fall asleep.  She talked my ear off the whole drive home.  I think she missed me a little.  Scott is at the hospital for the night.  It appears that Brady will come home in the morning.  The medical staff have been hinting at this today, but we will know for sure after rounds in the morning.  

Thank you for all the prayers that have been offered.  Brady's surgery itself has amazed many of the doctors that such fine work was able to be done to repair his valve.  Brady has made remarkable progress all week long.  I know this is a direct result of prayer.  Thank you.

We have been taking pictures all week of Brady's journey.  Once we are home and settled I will post pictures on the blog.