Today Noah underwent open heart surgery at the Mott's Children Hospital at U of M. His surgery lasted about four hours and as far as we can tell everything went well. The surgeon, Dr. Hirsch, said his aorta was narrowed down to the size of a pinhole. This explains why Noah could scarcely walk anywhere without complaining of leg pain (and we thought he was just wimpy!!!).
We are thankful this was addressed quickly (he was diagnosed in August) especially after finding how narrowed it was. We were also told to prepare for the possibility of him being opened from the front and put on a heart and lung machine due to an unnatural narrowing he also has on the arch of the aorta. We are SO glad that the surgeon was able to go in from the side between his ribs and get to the heart that way. The surgeon also prepared us for the possibility that he may have to have open heart again some point in his life (and opened from the front) to deal with the narrow arch. After surgery she said there's a good chance we won't need to.
Tonight we were allowed to see him for a few minutes in the PICU. It's scary to see your child completely incapacitated and looking so fragile. He's not breathing on his own yet, hopefully in the next day or so he can be weaned from the vent. The nurse said this surgery is more painful than cracking the ribs, he's on morphine for the pain. What a blessing anesthesia and pain meds are! One of the hardest thoughts for me is his complete bewilderment and confusion at his pain and new surroundings. How terrifying for a little boy, I'm glad he knows nothing of it right now.
My wonderful mom and dad are with us and I'm so glad. Such a comfort and help for us. Calvin is also with us, we didn't dare leave him since he's been so fragile lately. Everybody naturally thought Calvin was the one in for the heart surgery. We would say, "No, this is Noah," and point to the completely healthy looking child. They didn't know quite what to say :)
We are so grateful to the Lord for good news this far. We are encouraged and humbled by your prayers for Noah, thank you.
We are thankful this was addressed quickly (he was diagnosed in August) especially after finding how narrowed it was. We were also told to prepare for the possibility of him being opened from the front and put on a heart and lung machine due to an unnatural narrowing he also has on the arch of the aorta. We are SO glad that the surgeon was able to go in from the side between his ribs and get to the heart that way. The surgeon also prepared us for the possibility that he may have to have open heart again some point in his life (and opened from the front) to deal with the narrow arch. After surgery she said there's a good chance we won't need to.
Tonight we were allowed to see him for a few minutes in the PICU. It's scary to see your child completely incapacitated and looking so fragile. He's not breathing on his own yet, hopefully in the next day or so he can be weaned from the vent. The nurse said this surgery is more painful than cracking the ribs, he's on morphine for the pain. What a blessing anesthesia and pain meds are! One of the hardest thoughts for me is his complete bewilderment and confusion at his pain and new surroundings. How terrifying for a little boy, I'm glad he knows nothing of it right now.
My wonderful mom and dad are with us and I'm so glad. Such a comfort and help for us. Calvin is also with us, we didn't dare leave him since he's been so fragile lately. Everybody naturally thought Calvin was the one in for the heart surgery. We would say, "No, this is Noah," and point to the completely healthy looking child. They didn't know quite what to say :)
We are so grateful to the Lord for good news this far. We are encouraged and humbled by your prayers for Noah, thank you.
4 comments:
Thanks for taking time to update us all Kara. Continuing to pray for Noah, and Calvin, and all of you. Love and hugs from Cambodia.
thanks God for Noahs surgery. Keep praying for Noah and your fam.
Love and IMMANUEL
Pasang
Praising the Lord with you at this wonderful report! Been thinking and praying for you all, and especially your Noah, this week.
http://youtu.be/eOVGChMsPsg
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne
love you all
Pasang
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