Day 3: Early this morning, the doctors arrived and confirmed Hudson's omphalocele surgery for today. Despite it being what they deemed as relatively "minor" surgery, it was still difficult to prepare for mentally. Due to his heart condition, they had to schedule in conjunction with a cardiac anesthesiologist to ensure proper anesthesia. A few preparations and at 11 AM, they wheeled him back to OR where Jon and sister Shanna (unfortunately Ashley not yet discharged from Good Sam) gave him a kiss and wished him good luck. The surgery lasted for an hour...with Grandma Bev, sister Shanna and father Jon pacing, texting and nervous the whole time! Finally the attendant announced, "Family for Hudson Allen"...Jon and Grandma Bev walked back and heard the news that everything went perfect! We headed upstairs to meet the little guy and found him in his bed per the picture above. He looked so relaxed, with his head tucked on a pillow and blanket over him like nothing had happened. We were so impressed. First item off the checklist!
Ashley was also discharged this afternoon from Good Sam. Second item off the checklist! She was so thrilled to see him and is beyond anxious to be able to hold him tomorrow.
Hudson was intubated during surgery and thus spent the rest of the day on respirator and oxygen. In the afternoon, they performed an abdominal ultrasound and confirmed the absence of a spleen. As a result, they placed him on a proactive antibiotic regimen given the spleen's functional importance of combatting infection. He continued on a steady dose of TPN and lipids for nutrition until he is ready to feed on his own (hoping in the next few days).
This evening the doctors talked to us a bit more about his diagnosis. While the prenatal diagnosis was: 1) asplenia heterotaxy syndrome with isolated dextrocardia, 2) A double outlet right ventricle, an antrioventricular septal defect and right pulmonary atresia and 3) abdominal omphalocele, they were able to summarize in layman's terms: 1) body's blueprint is "right-centric" (leading to heart being on right side of body, two right lungs, absence of spleen and liver more rectangular), 2) his current heart anatomy is unable to cycle blood effectively to lungs and operates at less than full capacity, and 3) he had a "hernia on steroids". Despite the odds against him, Hudson continues to amaze both family and hospital staff with his progress and stability. Fight on Hudson!
Heart surgery is tentatively scheduled for late next week with cardio department roundtable on Tuesday, March 18th to confirm surgery plan and course of action.
Met a few more parents of patients in the CICU today. They all comment how thankful we should be to 1) have diagnosis ahead of delivery and 2) live near Childrens hospital. They say the combination of advanced planning and the world-renowned staff of surgeons increases the odds substantially for our little boy's future. We are indeed so appreciative and hearing these words continues to build our confidence our son can overcome!
Special thanks to nurses Joanne and Heather for all their help today!
Ashley was also discharged this afternoon from Good Sam. Second item off the checklist! She was so thrilled to see him and is beyond anxious to be able to hold him tomorrow.
Hudson was intubated during surgery and thus spent the rest of the day on respirator and oxygen. In the afternoon, they performed an abdominal ultrasound and confirmed the absence of a spleen. As a result, they placed him on a proactive antibiotic regimen given the spleen's functional importance of combatting infection. He continued on a steady dose of TPN and lipids for nutrition until he is ready to feed on his own (hoping in the next few days).
This evening the doctors talked to us a bit more about his diagnosis. While the prenatal diagnosis was: 1) asplenia heterotaxy syndrome with isolated dextrocardia, 2) A double outlet right ventricle, an antrioventricular septal defect and right pulmonary atresia and 3) abdominal omphalocele, they were able to summarize in layman's terms: 1) body's blueprint is "right-centric" (leading to heart being on right side of body, two right lungs, absence of spleen and liver more rectangular), 2) his current heart anatomy is unable to cycle blood effectively to lungs and operates at less than full capacity, and 3) he had a "hernia on steroids". Despite the odds against him, Hudson continues to amaze both family and hospital staff with his progress and stability. Fight on Hudson!
Heart surgery is tentatively scheduled for late next week with cardio department roundtable on Tuesday, March 18th to confirm surgery plan and course of action.
Met a few more parents of patients in the CICU today. They all comment how thankful we should be to 1) have diagnosis ahead of delivery and 2) live near Childrens hospital. They say the combination of advanced planning and the world-renowned staff of surgeons increases the odds substantially for our little boy's future. We are indeed so appreciative and hearing these words continues to build our confidence our son can overcome!
Special thanks to nurses Joanne and Heather for all their help today!