Yesterday marked a huge milestone in Hudson's journey. It was one of the longest most intense moments of our lives. Hudson was scheduled to be the 1st case of the day. He was doing well not eating in preparation for the big surgery, flashing huge smiles that warmed our hearts helping us all to prepare for what was about to take place. We met with the anesthesiologist and surgeon around 6 am and felt confident with the surgery plan. Shortly after, we were told that Hudson's surgery had been bumped sadly due to an emergency situation with another little one who was fighting to be here too. We were a little caught off guard although we felt that if it were Hudson on the other end and had an emergency situation, we would have hoped the family scheduled before us would be sympathetic and understand. We waited patiently and were updated that Hudson would be heading down to the OR around noon.
Unfortunately the emergency situation had some hiccups and took much longer than they had anticipated. We were then told that Hudson would be taken down to the OR around 2pm. By this time Hudson was starving although was really doing pretty well handling his hunger pangs. Nerves and anxiety had completely taken over though we remained calm enjoying our moments with our little man. 3pm hit and we were finally told that Hudson was ready to go. We made our way to the OR and handed our superhero to the medical team and prayed that God would lead the way. Around 5pm we were informed that Doctor Bryant had made the incision and that Hudson was doing well. We were then told around 7:30 that they had started bypass and were going to begin taking down Hudson's BT shunt and start his double Glenn.
This is where emotions for us escalated immensely. We were very worried about the Bypass situation for Hudson based on the findings in Hudson's Cath he had during the week prior. Hudson has trabeculations in his left ventricle. We are unsure what this means for Hudson's heart in the future but we are aware of it and able to monitor, which is half the battle. The one thing we DO know about trabeculations in the ventricle, is that they can increase the risk of the heart not starting after being placed on the heart bypass machine. When informed that Hudson was beginning this stage of the procedure, you can only imagine what was going through our minds. At around 9:30 we received the magic words, the ones that we had all been praying for. "HE WAS OFF BYPASS AND DOING GREAT!!!" I think OUR hearts stopped at this point, we were elated and so thankful and so very blessed!
Post op we met with Dr. Bryant, the miracle worker, and discussed how the overall surgery went. He was very pleased with the function and circulation as well as how nicely the superior vena cavas came together within his heart. A special thank you to Doctor Goldstein, Judy Anderson, Barb, Pat and the rest of the Cath Lab team who were able to take clear photos of Hudson's heart and to relay the findings to Doctor Bryant who was then able to translate these photos during surgery. We were relieved with joy to hear the good news and anxious to get out to the waiting room to share the news with our families. We can't thank Doctor Bryant enough for selflessly giving his all to help save our special boy. We will forever be indebted to your services. You are truly talented an inspiration to us all! THANK YOU!!!
Around 1:30am we were finally reunited with our hero. He was stable and looking even better than he did after his 1st open heart surgery. Happiness filled the room as we got to meet him, kiss him and observe him post his life-saving surgery. We thought it was going to be a peaceful night of recovery. However, Hudson had other plans and around 4:00am threw us a curveball yet again! We woke up from a brief nap with several nurses and physicians huddling over Hudson with numerous monitor alarms going off around them. Hudson's blood oxygen levels were quickly declining to a dangerously low, life-threatening level. We were in disbelief and panic immediately overtook us. He was struggling to breathe, heart rate increasing and blood pressure significantly high. Fortunately Hudson's head nurse Sam and Respiratory Therapist Kelly were able to recognize the issue which was caused by Hudson attempting to pull out his intubation tube himself. The intubation tube was dislodged from proper placement and was cutting off his airway. The problem was quickly fixed and Hudson was stable once again. Relief!
Today, Hudson has steadily progressed and is in a much more comfortable state. His intubation tube was removed and was therefore given the green light to begin feeds. We started off light with 1 oz and after only one feed, was ratcheted up to more volume and frequency. He has now completed 4 feeds and after each one instantly goes into "milk coma" mode. Satisfaction! In addition to the feeds and extubation, he is slowly weaning off of sedation and tubes (chest, catheter, arterial IVs, etc). This is the goal over the next few days which will enable us to once again hold our fighter. The doctors believe we will be in the CICU for next several days and then be transitioned to step down unit immediately following. However, we are playing it day by day and focused on a full recovery for Hudson.
The past few days have been extremely stressful for Hudson but we realize the temporary pain, discomfort and interventions made are the proper next steps to enable him to have a full, healthy, and happy life. Words cannot describe the amount of support, prayers, texts, emails, "birthday wishes" and phone calls we have received during this time from family, friends and even strangers. We are forever grateful and blessed at how this experience has brought us closer to those around us and to our faith. Each day is a blessing and the past few days have been a constant reminder of that gift. We have never been more proud to be parents of Hudson and be a witness to his "superhero" strength. Fight on Huddy! YOU GOT THIS!
Unfortunately the emergency situation had some hiccups and took much longer than they had anticipated. We were then told that Hudson would be taken down to the OR around 2pm. By this time Hudson was starving although was really doing pretty well handling his hunger pangs. Nerves and anxiety had completely taken over though we remained calm enjoying our moments with our little man. 3pm hit and we were finally told that Hudson was ready to go. We made our way to the OR and handed our superhero to the medical team and prayed that God would lead the way. Around 5pm we were informed that Doctor Bryant had made the incision and that Hudson was doing well. We were then told around 7:30 that they had started bypass and were going to begin taking down Hudson's BT shunt and start his double Glenn.
This is where emotions for us escalated immensely. We were very worried about the Bypass situation for Hudson based on the findings in Hudson's Cath he had during the week prior. Hudson has trabeculations in his left ventricle. We are unsure what this means for Hudson's heart in the future but we are aware of it and able to monitor, which is half the battle. The one thing we DO know about trabeculations in the ventricle, is that they can increase the risk of the heart not starting after being placed on the heart bypass machine. When informed that Hudson was beginning this stage of the procedure, you can only imagine what was going through our minds. At around 9:30 we received the magic words, the ones that we had all been praying for. "HE WAS OFF BYPASS AND DOING GREAT!!!" I think OUR hearts stopped at this point, we were elated and so thankful and so very blessed!
Post op we met with Dr. Bryant, the miracle worker, and discussed how the overall surgery went. He was very pleased with the function and circulation as well as how nicely the superior vena cavas came together within his heart. A special thank you to Doctor Goldstein, Judy Anderson, Barb, Pat and the rest of the Cath Lab team who were able to take clear photos of Hudson's heart and to relay the findings to Doctor Bryant who was then able to translate these photos during surgery. We were relieved with joy to hear the good news and anxious to get out to the waiting room to share the news with our families. We can't thank Doctor Bryant enough for selflessly giving his all to help save our special boy. We will forever be indebted to your services. You are truly talented an inspiration to us all! THANK YOU!!!
Around 1:30am we were finally reunited with our hero. He was stable and looking even better than he did after his 1st open heart surgery. Happiness filled the room as we got to meet him, kiss him and observe him post his life-saving surgery. We thought it was going to be a peaceful night of recovery. However, Hudson had other plans and around 4:00am threw us a curveball yet again! We woke up from a brief nap with several nurses and physicians huddling over Hudson with numerous monitor alarms going off around them. Hudson's blood oxygen levels were quickly declining to a dangerously low, life-threatening level. We were in disbelief and panic immediately overtook us. He was struggling to breathe, heart rate increasing and blood pressure significantly high. Fortunately Hudson's head nurse Sam and Respiratory Therapist Kelly were able to recognize the issue which was caused by Hudson attempting to pull out his intubation tube himself. The intubation tube was dislodged from proper placement and was cutting off his airway. The problem was quickly fixed and Hudson was stable once again. Relief!
Today, Hudson has steadily progressed and is in a much more comfortable state. His intubation tube was removed and was therefore given the green light to begin feeds. We started off light with 1 oz and after only one feed, was ratcheted up to more volume and frequency. He has now completed 4 feeds and after each one instantly goes into "milk coma" mode. Satisfaction! In addition to the feeds and extubation, he is slowly weaning off of sedation and tubes (chest, catheter, arterial IVs, etc). This is the goal over the next few days which will enable us to once again hold our fighter. The doctors believe we will be in the CICU for next several days and then be transitioned to step down unit immediately following. However, we are playing it day by day and focused on a full recovery for Hudson.
The past few days have been extremely stressful for Hudson but we realize the temporary pain, discomfort and interventions made are the proper next steps to enable him to have a full, healthy, and happy life. Words cannot describe the amount of support, prayers, texts, emails, "birthday wishes" and phone calls we have received during this time from family, friends and even strangers. We are forever grateful and blessed at how this experience has brought us closer to those around us and to our faith. Each day is a blessing and the past few days have been a constant reminder of that gift. We have never been more proud to be parents of Hudson and be a witness to his "superhero" strength. Fight on Huddy! YOU GOT THIS!