Discharged

I'm sorry I haven't been the best at updates here.  Not sure if many follow the blog as I know most follow on Facebook.

Will try to fill in some gaps soon, but for now wanted to let you know Mitchell was discharged this afternoon.  We are settled at the hotel and looking forward to a good nights' sleep.

Overall, everything looks good.  He will continue with 3 diuretics for now as well as aspirin daily and pain medications as needed.  Anticipate not needing all of them long; and hopefully able to return to no need for routine diuretics long-term.  Expected the need short-term as he adjusts to more blood volume to his lungs.

Thank you again for your love and support!

❤️

Post-op Day 4

Apparently, I forgot to submit this morning's post.  I guess that's ok because things have taken a surprising turn.  

Will try to summarize-  been watching a couple things- chest tube drainage and his underlying heart rate and rhythm as he was being paced by an external pacemaker via wires attached during surgery.

Mitchell has handled everything very well, but began to get a little concerned about anyone's reason to be in his room and if it would hurt.

Yesterday they were able to discontinue 1 chest tube that wasn't draining much.  The 2nd had an output of 400 ml on post-op day 2 and 300 ml on day 3.  Because of this we anticipated a few more days to maintain fluid balance.  Too soon to say for sure, but after the 300 ml ahift end at 0700 today (130 ml of which was from night shift) Mitchell has now gone 7 hours today with only 10 ml of drainage.  Anticipate chest tube #2 it will be removed tomorrow.

Dr. Kanter rounded today around 1 p.m. & turned off his pacemaker- his rate is holding in the 90's and regular.  He is still attached to the pacemaker, but at a setting of 80 (if his rate would drop, it would pick up). 

Progressing quicker than we imagined.  He was told if everything continues the same HE CAN GO HOME TOMORROW! 🎉

So thankful for a smooth recovery this far.  

Will attach a couple photos after M received his happy news. 

Moved to Step Down

We are thankful Mitchell moved to step down 24 hours post-op.  He is doing well.  Will be working on managing pain- need to start eating and switch from Morphine to Lortab.  Also gets an anti-inflammatory every 6 hours.  Chest tube output has been about 200 ml each 12 hour shift for the last 24 hours.  That is anticipated with the Fontan.  His length of stay will be determined by how long they are needed- really can vary.  His underlying rhythm has returned to a junctional rhythm (not uncommon with this big surgery), so we will look for a return to a regular sinus rhythm and appropriate rate to discontinue the external pacer wires.

Overall, Mitchell has done wonderfully.  And we are very thankful.  Thank you for your love and support! ❤️

Surgery complete!

Surgery is done!!  Lots of scar tissue, but everything went well once started.  Pressures in lungs low (good) for passive blood flow.  We should be able to see him within an hour. ❤️

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

3rd Update

Been on bypass about an hour.  Going as expected.  Traditional Fontan not Y graft due to pulmonary stent.  

2nd Update

2nd update- still working through scar tissue.  Almost ready to go on bypass.

Specific Request- procedure

Specific Request- this surgery is the Fontan.  Short version- attachment of Inferior Vena Cava will provide more passive blood flow to the lungs= more oxygen.

Praying they can do the Y-Fontan vs. traditional Fontan that would divide the blood flow and lessen the pressure of blood flow (hopefully minimizing complications from the high pressures).

The stent in his Left Pulmonary Artery makes it more complicated for the Y procedure.  To be determined in the OR.

Thankful for Mitchell's surgeon and his ability to determine what is best.