Cardio check up

Gavin met with his cardiologist for his surgical follow up and it couldn't have gone better. He has bounced right back from his surgery and it is such a relief that we don't look at him with the haunting thought, "Is his conduit failing right now?" His heart is repaired and we can rest for a few years now. While anything can happen and Gavin is the example of that, the direct danger is gone now and we can now focus on him and how he is developing into this amazing, loving child. He was such a big great big brother today, showing Owen how all the tests are done. He loved that Dumbo was playing while Owen had his echo today. Gavin returns for an echo in six months, a big change from what we are used to. Dr. Tim asked if I was going to be alright not seeing them every few weeks or 3 months. We will be alright, although they are all awesome up there, our family would like to plan fun outings rather than our afternoons around echos. While this seems like a lot to go through, I am always reminded that we have it extremely easy compared to what other families and little children are going through. Gavin has healed really well from his surgery and we are all looking forward to a few months off from the doctors office. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support with Gavin and his journey.

2 Week post op

Happy New Year! Gavin had his surgery a little over 2 weeks ago and it's really hard to believe that is behind us now. No longer do we have to look at him wondering if his stents are holding up, if he's going to through a blood clot, if he's in congestive heart failure. He had his 2 week post op follow up January 2nd, both his chest x-ray and his incision both look great. His chest tube stitches came out December 24th, a few days later than expected due to the fact that they didn't look ready. All and all, Gavin has been a trooper. He still complains of pain from time to time, he is at least at the age where he can tell us he is uncomfortable. He still makes us nervous, that's for sure and surgery or no surgery I'm certain that is a fact of parenthood. His next cardio appointment is January 30th. Time will tell when he needs another surgery, but we have been given hopes that it may not occur until adolescents. We did have to take him to Mott on New Year's Eve/Day. Over the course of a week, he had been breaking out in hives/welts/severe rashes and I thought it may have been the Motrin or pain meds but out of nowhere they developed but seemed to go away with time or the Benadryl. Well New Year's Eve, his feet swelled up so bad they were completely stiff, red, hard as bricks. Weird, I know. They said it was a virus, which every parent loved to hear, it's viral and must run it's course, with the help of allergy medicine to help with the random welts and swelling. We are truly blessed and fortunate to share such great news and a wonderful recovery story, so many times it doesn't turn out that way. We thank you for your continued prayers and support. Love the Aikey's

Discharged

We are on our way home. Gavins echo was great and yesterdays chest xray was also great. Follow up in two weeks. Chest tube stitch out on Dec. 21st. Cardio appt in 6wks. Gavin is active and is smiling again. For open heart surgery 5 days ago he sure is doing great.
I cant wait see Owen!

One less tube

Gavin had his chest tube removed today around 11am. I can't even imagine what it felt like to have that thing stuck up there. Lets be completely honest here, I can't imagine any of the pain or discomfort he has been in and is in.  After the tube was removed, they took him off morphine this evening and are supplementing with other pain meds.

He is scheduled For an echo and EKG Monday morning. Tomorrow will involve more walking and hopefully eating.

Lines are out.

Today Gavin has reached all of his goals. He had the ART Line (arterial line sewn into his skin under his left wrist) that was used to get his blood gas tests. Testing the o2 and carbon dioxide levels in his blood was removed. They removed his CVL( central venous line) that was sewn into his neck :( they used to administer meds. His foley has also been removed. All done before 11:00am.

He just got back from his first walk down the hall, less that 24hrs after surgery.  

He should be moved to the cardio floor once there is room. No hurry. 

Next plan is to have his chest tube removed sometime in the couple of days. He is still on a morphine drip and will probably ween down tomorrow. 

Keep cruisen little Munchie! 

Moving forward

Gavin was extubated (taken of vent) at 9:25pm after coming back from surgery at 5:30pm. He has been in and out of conciousness. Imnot sure he is feeling pain or not. He is pretty congested after contracting a cold these last few days. Watching he doesn't develops pnemonia, we are going to have to work all that stuff out.  He is on one liter of o2 but other than morphine he is regulating his blood pressure himself. He does get  lasix but that's to get the excess fluid from surgery off and allows his heart not to work to heart.

Looking at my sweet beautiful boy, I am so great full for the the gift God has given us. Yet again I am completely humbled and broken for the families here who havent been given such wonderful news and results.  

Dear God, please comfort these familes tonight and always. Hold them in your loving arms.  Cover them with overwhelming  peace.  Please easy the pain and suffering of your precious children and rain down a shower of your healing love. Please allow Gavin to continue to progress and recovery. ward off all infections and complications and manage his pain. In your glorious name I pray. Amen.

Post op.