Happy Birthday Grandpa

Looks like Chase wanted to give us something to celebrate on an emotional day.  Today his grandpa Burningham would have turned 61 years old.  I am sure the best possible present he could have would be to know that Chase is doing great.  They are weaning him off the ventilator and planning to remove his two chest tubes today.  His numbers are great.  Now he just needs to lose the arterial blood pressure monitor, PICC line, Central line, IV lines, Kidney pressure monitor, brain pressure monitor, EKG, naso-gastric feeding tube, and start eating.  Obviously, that is a lot to do in the next couple weeks.  One step at a time though.  GO CHASE!!  You're a rock star!

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!