On July 9th, we all packed our things for the next few days in the hospital and left Harlowe and Oliver in the good hands of Grandma, Grandpa and Lindsey. Hudson was being admitted into the hospital for his Pre Glenn Cath. This cath was going to determine what was best for Hudson in going forward with his 2nd open heart surgery. Hudson was in good spirits, alert, and breaking hearts with his big blue/green eyes and happy personality all day long. He had the Xray of his chest taken around 3pm and his IV line placed around 5pm the evening before his big Cath day. That night, of course, Hudson threw us his infamous curve ball and ripped his own IV out just a little over an hour before his Cath procedure began. I think this was yet another reminder that he was in charge! So, immediately we had to call the VAT team to place another IV, in order to get the appropriate amount of fluids in him before his surgery. Hudson was then taken back to the Cath Lab around 7:30am to begin the heart exploration and check the actual function of his heart. After taking him back, and big alligator tears in Ashley's eyes, we anxiously made our way back to the room to wait for Hudson to finish. We walked into our room and instantly got our "everything is going to be ok, 'sign" which was John Legend singing "All Of You" live on Good Morning America. The reason we love and can relate to this song is because we often times, throughout all of this, feel like "our heads are underwater" but because of Hudson's will to fight "we ARE breathing just fine", and so very much do we love each and every one of Hudson's "perfect imperfections." We know and pray "he gives his all to us" and undoubtedly know all who know, care for and love him, give their "all to him." After hearing that, we straightened up our backs, looked at each other...smiled and said, "he's ok in there, he's got this!" Even though it was just a song, it was a sense of calming for us and helped get us through that very moment. So many other times, that song has warmed our hearts during Hudson's journey.
Around 8:30am we were informed by nurse Christy that Dr. Goldstein had gained appropriate access and began checking pressures throughout Hudson's heart and that Hudson himself was doing very well. Again around 9:30-10am we were given the 2nd update that Hudson was still doing well and that Dr. Goldstein had started taking the pictures necessary in figuring out the exact anatomy of Hudson's heart and that they should have everything they need after that. After Hudson was finished we met with the Doctors and nursing staff where we discussed the findings in Hudson's heart. This was very tough yet very informative to hear. Hudson was diagnosed on top of what we already knew which is that he has dextrocardia, pulmonary atresia, a double outlet right ventricle and an atrioventricular septal defect with a mild to moderate leaky valve. What we have learned is that 1 out of the 2 superior vena cavas Hudson has is substantially smaller than the other which makes the circulation of the Double Glenn surgery tricky. We also learned that he has an atypical left ventricle that could cause issues when being placed on bypass. His heart has formed collaterals near his spine and his BT shunt placed back in March, had narrowed a bit more on one end and looks as though it has been pinched on the other end. The side that is pinched looks to have a clot against its walls though looks to be smooth indicating that it has been there for some time now. All of this makes Hudson's situation even more fragile and they made the executive decision to move his surgery date up to this coming Friday, July, 18th. The goal was for Hudson to be around 5-6 months old because the "bigger the better" for a surgery like this, but that is not in God's plan for Hudson and we accept that. We simply feel blessed that this Cath found these problems for Hudson early so we were given the opportunity to do something about it before it was too late.
Hudson finished up about an hour later and shortly after we were able to see our hero again. Having done this before, this is always a hard part. Hudson is sedated and usually waking up fighting his way through the drugs. We were able to get him comfortable again and Ashley was able to hold and cuddle him a few hours later. Throughout the night, Hudson's oxygen levels were steadily dropping and hanging in the high 60's low 70's range. We, the doctors and nursing staff were all not comfortable with this and the decision to give him a blood transfusion was made by Dr. Goldstein and us early in the morning. "You da MAN!! Goldstein" because, boom, Hudson's oxygen saturations bumped back up and we were able to bring Hudson home late Friday afternoon to enjoy the weekend and a few days together "cord and monitor beeping free" before the big #2. Friday, July 11th also marked Hudson's 4 month birthday and when Harlowe and Oliver returned, Hudson was surprised by all to a little " Happy Birthday" tune! He loved it, smiled the whole way through and made us realize even more that we have been so very blessed to just even have him here with us these past 4 months.
We have been processing a lot since we left the hospital and fully realize what Hudson has ahead of him. This week is going to be a "long" week for all of us as a family but we fully intend to stay as positive as we can and to savor this time with Hudson. Lots of love, snuggles and kisses for our hero this week, he can count on that!
It will be a very complex case but believe the Doctors at Children's will find a way to fix Hudson's heart and give him a very good chance towards a good quality of life. Especially knowing our superhero, Hudson, is also behind that wheel!
Please continue to pray for us this next week and especially for Hudson Friday, July 18th. We are so hopeful Hudson continues to show his fight and will to live and that the love we have shown him helps pull him through all of this...
On a super cool note! Jon's cousin Julie, completely surprised us with some awesome photos she snuck of Harlowe, Oliver and our little superhero! We had gone to get a few pictures of the kids together before Hudson's surgery and wanted a picture of Hudson in his superman cape (thoughtfully sent to Hudson from Ashley's cousin, Kristin!) and rocking his scar. We had no idea that she also snuck the kids pictures on a different day and created these awesome pics! Please head to the website below, click on the blog section and you'll find our "Super Huddy" and enjoy her oh so talented work if you haven't already!! THANK YOU AGAIN, Julie!! What an awesome gift and wonderful surprise!
http://www.juliedoranphotography.com/
Also, a huge shout out to Dr. Goldstein, his nurse Christy, and nurses Grace and Theresa for their awesome care for our Hudson the past few days.