What a difference a week makes.

So this time last week we were still in the waiting room as Patrick had his heart surgery.  Today we are talking about a discharge date.  AMAZING!!! Coming into this we knew that we were in the hands of the most capable physicians in this country, but even so, Patrick's repair was a BIG surgery and even the best doctors have patients that don't do well. Fortunately, Patrick has done better than we could have ever imagined.  All of your prayers have definitely been answered by a most gracious Heavenly Father.  We went from surgery, to the ICU, then now to a regular room all within a span of 7 days.  His cardiologist did an Echocardiogram today among other tests and both he and Patrick's surgeon feel that he is doing well enough to leave the hospital Wednesday. We are having a few other tests tomorrow that are really unrelated to his heart.  As most of you know Patrick's heart is on his right side, and all of his other organs are on the opposite side as well.  It is a condition known as situs inversus totalis.  Some of these children have other abnormalities that need to be watched long term so the plan is to test his spleen, lungs, and GI tract tomorrow to see if he does or doesn't have these extra conditions.  After that we will verify that his meds are dosed perfectly, and Wednesday we will be discharged.  It would be great to be home with the rest of the family for Thanksgiving, but will have to wait one more week.  We need to follow up with our cardiologist next Tuesday before travelling back to Alabama Tuesday evening.  Three weeks is a long time to be away, but it has been 100% worth it for Patrick to be able to receive the care he has received from the preop testing to surgery to post operative care.  I'll add a few pics to the post, and if anyone is in Boston for Thanksgiving let us know!!!

Happy that his Mommy is back from Alabama

Walking just a few days following surgery

Patrick and his new buddy, Frankie, a fellow heart warrior

Getting a little love from Mommy at Wahlburgers

Patrick and I with Dr. Emani, Patrick's surgeon.

A 3D printed model of Patricks heart given to us by Dr. Emani.  Eventually this type of technology will help surgeons better plan when repairing complex heart repairs like Patrick's

 

Clean smiling boy!

Still in the ICU but smiling with a new gift

A pretty pink foot immediately post op

Coloring while wearing his new Boston Red Sox hat

Patick, Frankie, Olivia, and AnnaLei, all fellow heart warriors

A boy gets tired waiting on his Mommy

Check out my new truck

Just chillin

A boy and his blankie!!