CHARLOTTE'S DAY: PRAYER REQUESTS

Okay people...let's start praying.  Her kidneys and liver aren't behaving, although her kidney function is still in the realm of post surgery expectations but her her liver may or may not be in that realm.  Dr. Fanning is going to decrease her oxygen in an effort to sedate her (it sounds off, but it relaxes her muscles so she can rest) to see if we can get a better idea of what's going on.  The next test will be at 11.  She has been holding her own but over the last 2 hours, there is cause for concern based on a substantial increase in her her kidney and liver function.   

SO...PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for her kidney function to improve.

Pray for her liver function to improve.

Pray for her blood pressure to improve.

INCHING ALONG

Miss Charlotte has given Mommy the best birthday present yet: surviving!  As Patrick wrote, she is certainly not out of the woods, but she is holding her own.  I marvel at her strength, as do most of her caretakers, given her small size and the incredible obstacles she faces.  

She is swollen around her eyes, face and neck but we expect it to until tomorrow when it usually peaks post surgery.  Our biggest gift of all today is that she has opened her eyes a lot!!!  She's not dialed in but she certainly understands that Mommy is near.  This, along with body movement that she has, is important too.  Don't worry, she's heavily medicated for pain.

Dr. M told us that stability - not progress - is our goal for today.  Charlotte is riding the waves within the "it's expected due to surgery" range.  These are still very serious "somethings" but she is hanging in there.  I wish that I could simply put just how amazing her little body is.  She is only 7 days old and has already had a major heart surgery.  Those things shouldn't be in the same sentence, yet they are.  

I remember seeing a picture of a surgeon performing a surgery with Jesus standing behind him.  His hand was resting on the surgeon's shoulder.  I know that Jesus led Dr. Mendeloff during Charlotte's surgery and I know that He has never left her side since.  Just take a look at what she can accomplish thanks to Him.  He is the Great Healer.

DAY 1 PART 1

Today is officially considered day 1 of Charlotte's recovery.  She made it through the night with no major issues but she is certainly not out of the woods yet.  She has a dedicated nurse who doesn't leave her side.  They are doing lab work every hour as they continue to monitor her progress.  Most things look good and those that look a little off are dealt with quickly.  The level of knowledge, dedication, compassion, and energy of every single person involved with Charlotte's care right now absolutely blows me away.  I am really starting to question whether or not some of these people, especially Dr. Mendeloff, ever sleep.  

Sometimes I seriously feel like I am in an episode of Grey's Anatomy (sorry, its the only hospital show I've seen) as every few minutes something is beeping and people are saying words that have no meaning to me.  I told Sarah that I want to yell out "give me 10 cc's, Stat!" just to see what happens.  And one last thing.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!  I LOVE YOU!  

OUT OF SURGERY

Dr. Mendeloff came out and to meet with us around 3:45 and let us know that Charlotte had made it through her first surgery.  Overall he was pleased with the way that things went but stressed that the next 48 to 72 hours are the critical time.  

We got our first look at her as the team rolled her from the OR to the Intensive Care section of the Congenital Heart Surgery Unit.  We only had about 15 seconds, her chest was still open (though covered), she had more IVs in her than I could count, and she was being given air by one of the doctors because she wont be able to breathe on her own for a few days but seeing her alive after surgery was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  

I'm sure Sarah will provide a much better update in a post in the next few hours.  

2 IN 1

UPDATE: Dr. M's NP just reported that Charlotte's procedure is going well!!  PRAISE JESUS.  She is being sewn up now and her body is being warmed back up in preparation for her to be taken off the bypass.  It should be about 230/3 when we can see her, before she gets settled in her room.  We hope to hear more details about the surgery once Dr. M starts talking, but he is still very focused and hasn't started "sharing" yet.  Soon...

......

Around Noon, Dr. Mendeloff was halfway through the surgical portion of today.  Little Miss is still on the bypass machine during this time.  Once he has finished sewing, he will stay with Charlotte as she comes off heart/lung bypass.  We pray specifically that God gives her the vigor she needs to get through this critical stage of her heart and lungs doing the big job without the machine.  We anticipate the surgical process to be completed by around 3, hopefully sooner!  Once the surgery is completed, she will be wheeled through the hallway from the OR to the CHSU (Congenital Heart Surgery Unit) where she will be until we HEAD HOME.  We'll get to see her for a minute or two and "give her a kiss" before heading back.  She'll need about another 90 minutes to get settled and then we're free to see her ALL THE TIME.  Word.

As always, Patrick and I appreciate your kind words, treats and prayers.  They continue to carry us throughout.

SHORTEST UPDATE EVER

The nurse called and said everything is going well but didn't provide any details. Said she would call again in an hour or two.

PICTURES