Back in Surgery

Just as everyone else is putting their halloween costumes on, Chase is changing out of his.    He was doing so well they took him back in to surgery a little sooner than expected to close his chest.  Another big step!  This also means he can have more visitors than just his Mom and Dad.   It has been a good day!

Happy Halloween

For Chase's family today is a happy but tense one.  He is still doing well following surgery. They were able to fix the aortic arch and repair the holes in his ventricles.  Fortunately, the narrowing of his Aorta was just mild enough that they didn't have to surgically repair it at this point.  His parents were able to see him yesterday afternoon.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard they try to prepare you for how they look afterwards words can't really do it adequately.  It was pretty overwhelming for them to see him last night with his chest still open and tubes everywhere.  Sadly it is the scariest halloween costume he will probably ever wear.  Someday they will show pictures, but Brandi says she just isn't ready to yet.   He is in amazing care.  His body temperature is good and he is stable.  Brandi says it is amazing to watch the nurses.  They never sit down because they are constantly checking him and adjusting meds etc.  They have to precisely balance his blood pressure to keep it from getting too high that it puts too much strain on his stitches and tears open his incisions, to preventing it from dropping too low that he crashes.  I am sure it is a delicate dance with a painful, sedated newborn baby. It takes a special type of person to willing take on that kind of pressure.  Brandi says they are so calm though , and she is trying to follow their lead and not freak out unless they do.  Chase has passed one major hurdle but he still has a long difficult recovery ahead.  So far, it is just one hour and day at a time.  Keep praying.

Tears of Joy

Everything went according to plan, surgeon just spoke with them.  They look forward to seeing him in about thirty minutes.

Coming Out of Surgery

Chase is coming out of anesthesia now.  Currently being warmed up and Ben and Brandi will get to see him in about ninety minutes.  No details yet, but the nurse stated she thinks things went according to plan because they are on schedule.  Just grateful he is still with us.  Tears pour down my face as I type this and realize what a difficult day this must have been for him and his family.  As always, still praying, not just prayers for healing and strength for Chase, but gratitude as well.

In Surgery

Chase went in to anesthesia about 8:45 AM.  Surgery and recovery should take 3-4 hours if all goes ideally.  He will have to be put in deep hypothermia while his heart and circulation are stopped.  This can only take place for about thirty minutes before his body temperature has to be brought back up.  If they do not complete the parts of the surgical procedure that require hypothermia they will then have to relower his body temperature to finish.  This will obviously take considerably longer.  Will update as soon as we have more information.

Today is the Big Day!

Just heard Chase is being prepped for surgery.  He will being going in about an hour from now!  Praying it goes smoothly and he begins a quick and successful full recovery!

Chase Got the big suite

Transport went well. They love the new facility! You can tell they are just so much better.

Preparing To Transport

Chase is now being prepared to be loaded up and transported over to the Children's hospital.  Still hoping surgery will be tomorrow.

Third Ambulance Ride

Chase is looking good and will be transported today by ambulance to Children's hospital to prepare for surgery.  Three ambulance rides and a helicopter ride in less than two weeks.  Someday he will think it is so cool he got to ride in a helicopter.  Right now, I am sure his parents are a little less enthusiastic.  Will let everyone know when he is settled in at the NICU there.

Being put on the Life Flight Helicopter Saturday 10-20-12

Snuggling with daddy Sunday 10-28-12

Little Super Man

     It has been a week since Chase was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects.  For his family it has been a draining, exhausting, emotional test of endurance.   He is now off the ventilator and staying beautifully pink as well as maintaining weight which is excellent.  He is showing signs of struggling a bit more as time passes, an unneeded reminder of the necessity of this surgery and the miracle of modern medicine.  Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and will take a few hours.  On a scale of 1-10 it is a 7-8 in complexity but his surgeon is confident. Afterwards he will be sedated for at least a few days to manage his pain and keep him peaceful in order for his body to heal.
    Chase now has a central line so that his IV lines don't need to be changed every few hours and his IV has been placed in his head in order to give his arms and leg a chance to heal.  Even for a baby he has very sensitive skin.   He was able to be visited by his older brother Saturday.   Following surgery it will be several weeks before Chase recovers and it may be a long time before his siblings are able to snuggle him again.  I am sure when they are both older it will be a cherished memory for Caden.      
    Brandi has told me following Chase's birth this was a much more difficult recovery for her physically.  She was in much more pain than she had been with her other babies.  Despite having a house to move and family to take care of she was in too much pain at times to do anything more than lay and snuggle with Chase.  I am sure at the time my sister felt she should have been up and doing more, but she was given that time to enjoy and soak up her baby while she could. She later said it was heaven to just have to sit and hold him, a precious blessing now that she gets to have him in her arms only short periods of time each day. Despite not being able to be with him all the time Chase still responds to his mother's touch and voice, a sweet gift for  anxious tired mom I am sure.  It is amazing the way Heavenly Father sees the details and blesses us in the strangest ways sometimes.

     I struggle to understand why he and his family have to go through this.  At this time I am grateful they are able to see the miracles that come with it.  First and foremost we are grateful for the prodding of the spirit letting them know something was wrong despite the fact the signs were not overly apparent.  Secondly, it is a tremendous blessing modern medicine can keep him stable; and caring, trained, competent people are courageous enough to walk into the operating room every day and literally take babies hearts into their hands.  Third, it is an overwhelming blessing to see the good in people.  As my sister's family has had to carry this tremendous burden they have been overwhelmed by the people willing to reach out in any way possible.  For me, feeling so helpless hundreds of miles away it is an amazing gift to know there are other people willing to step in and do what I can't.  When I wish so badly I could be there they have shown Christ-like love by performing a service I can't.  Last, of course we are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  For the knowledge that families are eternal, and Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  I am grateful to know that when my sister can't hold her baby in the NICU and has to drive home and leave him there, he has two angels watching over him.  I have mentioned it before, but just knowing Chase needs my Mom and  Dad more than we do right now, makes it okay to not have them here with us.  I am grateful for the power of the priesthood and the amazing comfort that can come from priesthood blessings, as well as the power of prayer.  I am grateful that despite an uncertain future we can still have peace and enjoy each precious moment here and now.  As Wednesday approaches I hope we all will continue to pray for Chase and his family that they can be strengthened and comforted.  If you would like to send an encouraging word or thoughts to Ben and Brandi please leave comments here so they can read them as they get the time.