We're Home

We got a call last night asking us if we could come in earlier this morning since the case before us got canceled due to a fever. So, instead of our 9:00 appointment, we showed up at 7:00 instead. It made for an early morning but was worth it since we were discharged by 5 pm.

First of all, thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes. I don't think I realize how stressed out and emotional I am until I find myself getting choked up and tearful from all of your kind thoughts and words.

As far as the actual procedure goes, it went well. There were no complications and he was out of the cath lab a lot sooner than we had been told. Dr. Cowley performed the cath (he did his last one as well) and said that Ethan's function looks good and that his lung pressures were low. What that means, is that he is healthy enough to have the Fontan. He went on to tell us that he has never seen a repair as well done as his. We are so blessed to have had Dr. Hawkins as our surgeon and I am terribly saddened that he won't be performing Ethan's Fontan.

After the echo and the cath, we spent the next 5 1/2 hours in recovery to watch for bleeding or other possible complications (they put catheters in both his groin and neck this time). He was supposed to lay flat this whole time, but the truth of the matter was Ethan was agitated, grumpy, and pulling all of the cuffs, lines, and monitors off of him. They finally took everything off (since it wasn't going to stay on anyway) but left his IV. He kept pulling at it and would break down in tears when we would scold him or tell him that he couldn't have it out yet. In light of seeing all of this, I am very scared for the Fontan. Ethan just wanted to be held, but was not comfortable or content when being held. I don't know how he'll react when he'll be in a lot more pain and with more lines and tubes to contend with. I just hope they keep him pretty sedated until we can hold him. I can tell already that this is not going to be pretty.

Anyway, here are some pictures of today. Thank you again for your kind words and support.

This was taken in pre-op. He was having a great time blowing bubbles and didn't really have too many cares at this point.

He LOVED the wagon! In fact, he wanted to ride in the wagon to go home and we couldn't find one. He was VERY sad and didn't want to go home. Needless to say, Tim is at WalMart with Ethan buying a wagon. I think he earned it today.

They gave him some Versed to calm him down (he was climbing all over the place and was seeming anxious). He spit out the oral dose, so they gave him a nasal dose instead. They said that even though they put it in his nose, it leaves a bitter after taste. He obviously wasn't a fan.

However, AFTER the Versed was given, he was obviously a BIG fan!

Sorry, this picture is crooked. Ethan insisted on holding his own oxygen mask up to his face. He would put it on like it was supposed to be, but he would also put it up to his ear like he was talking on the phone (which didn't help his oxygen levels much).

He only threw up once. But as you can see, he wasn't a happy camper.

After a couple of hours, he started to perk up a little bit and was acting a little more like himself.

But as you can see, it didn't last for very long. This was the look he gave the nurse after she took out his IV.

All in all, it was a good day (for what is was anyway) and we're glad to be home.

---Allison

Heart Cath and Sedated Echo Tomorrow

I just wanted to let you all know that Ethan will be going to PCMC tomorrow morning (Monday) to have the pre-op testing for his 3rd heart surgery (the Fontan). Tomorrow he will be having a heart cath and a sedated echo (although, I am not sure in which order). We have to check in at 9 am into Same Day Surgery and should be home later that night. I will be posting when there are any results or if there are important updates. Overall, I don't expect any surprises and feel that everything should be OK. However, since Ethan's birth, my innocence is lost. I know that there can be upsets, surprises, and complications that can't be anticipated. Please keep Ethan in your prayers tonight. We hope that things will go smoothly and that the test results will be positive. Thanks for your love and support.

----Allison

Brothers

Since the older kids have been at school during the day, these 2 little guys have been having a lot of fun playing with each other. Can you see how much Ethan looks up to (and copies) Gavin?

By the way, Gavin thinks he is "Mr. Cool" and pulls these "moves" often. In fact, at his first soccer game this week, he pulled one of his "Mr. Cool" poses (as seen in the picture just above) right before he was ready to kick a goal kick back into play. There are variations to the "Mr. Cool" poses such as facial expressions and the finger positions (like maybe the "rock on" fingers, with the thumb, pointer, and pinkie fingers up). He is such a funny kid.

---Allison

It's That Time of Year

I have to say that this was a fun summer. However, all good things must come to an end.

Spencer was VERY nervous to start Jr. High and wanted me to take a picture of him before he came home black and blue. I guess he had the impression that everyone gets beat up in Jr. High. I think I would have been nervous too if that is what I was expecting. Luckily for Spencer, he came home in one piece and with a smile on his face. He says Jr. High is MUCH better than elementary school.

Miss Emily was so excited and in such a rush to get to school, we forgot to get her picture taken. So, needless to say, the photos of her were taken on her 2ND day of school. She really likes her teacher and has made a "friend" named Tyler which she seems VERY excited about. They play with each other at recess and eat lunch next to each other. Don't worry, I've told her she can't have a "boyfriend" and she reassures me that they are "just friends". Really. She is only 8. This crush thing is happening WAY too early. I've always known that she is going to give me a run for my money. Wish me luck!

---Allison

Say Cheese!

Do you think Nutella and cheese will fatten him up for surgery? We're crossing our fingers!

(By the way, neither of these items were given to him, but really, whose going to take it away?!)

---Allison

Starvation Reservoir

About a week and a half ago we went on a 5 day family vacation to Starvation Reservoir. This was our first real camping trip since before Gavin was born and the kids LOVED it. Tim wasn't able to come up for a few days but it wasn't too bad. The kids played a lot with their cousins and I had a lot of help from my parents and siblings. Although I have to admit, it wasn't too fun setting up tents and camp without him.

We spent most of our days trying to keep cool. It was MISERABLY hot and to be honest, I was concerned about how the heat would effect Ethan. There was only a little bit of shade and we stayed in it as much as possible. We also spent most of our days in the water, and would even take an occasional drive in the car just to get some air conditioning. Luckily, the last couple of days we were there, the heat mellowed out a little bit and we got the occasional rain.

Also, this just happened to be the 24Th of July weekend (a State holiday here in Utah) and so one morning we went to the local "parade" which consisted of some 4 wheelers, a few horses, a goat, some kids on bikes, 2 candidates for the local election, and was completed by the firetruck and ambulance. It went right down the main street (it was just detoured for a few minutes) and lasted no more than 10 minutes. Although short, the kids came away with more candy than any of them needed.

While at camp, the older kids had a fabulous time being pulled on the tube behind my Dad's boat. Gavin and Ethan were content just playing in the sand. Surprisingly, my Gavin (who usually has no concern of danger) was scared of the boat and after just 1 ride, he refused to go on another. I think we found my Superhero's kryptonite.

Anyway, we came home tired, dirty, sunburned (we went through 3 bottles of sunscreen and we still ran out), and full of a lot of fun memories. Despite the heat, wind, and dirt, Emily told me that she wants to make this a "family tradition". Good times. Good times.

I don't know why Emily is wearing this hat sideways. It looks really goofy that way. But honestly, no one cared what they looked like. We were all just happy to keep the sun off of our faces.

Ethan was really good about wearing his hat, however, he kept turning it around which didn't help keep the sun off of his face.

Spencer was not into getting his picture taken. This is one of the few that I was allowed to take.

Gavin is in this "Mr. Cool" stage. When he sees a camera, he automatically assumes this stance. Silly kid.

---Allison