Tomorrow is a big day for this little guy...
When Levi was two weeks old, his pediatrician noticed that Levi had a heart murmer. At two months, Levi had his first visit with his pediatric cardiologist and we found out that Levi has a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Basically, before a baby is born, there is a blood vessel in the baby's heart that goes between the pulmonary and aortic arteries. Shortly after birth the blood vessel is supposed to close, however in Levi's case it did not close. He has had periodic check-ups with the cardiologist and since the PDA has not closed on its own, tomorrow Levi is having a heart catheterization procedure to insert a plug in the blood vessel to permanently close his PDA.
Today we spent a few hours at the hospital in preparation for tomorrow's procedure. Levi was a real trooper with all the testing, needle poking and X-rays, but he was tuckered out when it was all done - he fell asleep in the van within minutes of getting on the road.
The procedure tomorrow is outpatient and technically not a surgery, but Levi will be totally sedated for it. We have to be at the hospital at 7 AM and the procedure is scheduled for 8:30 AM. It should take approximately 2 hours (but it could be up to 4 hours) and then Levi has to be in recovery/observation for about 5 hours (or until the doctor says we can take him home). During the recovery time at the hospital Levi won't be able to walk or crawl, so we're hoping that he will still be sleepy from the sedation since he's quite the active toddler these days!
We have already felt the prayers of our family, friends and church family and we covet them especially as we prepare for and go through the day tomorrow. We trust that God will watch over and take care of Levi, that He will guide the doctors and nurses during the procedure, and that He will give Matt and I the patience and strength to get through the day tomorrow.
3 comments:
I can only imagine the anxiety the two of you are feeling right now. Just because it's "technically" not a surgery, and it's "technically" outpatient, doesn't make it any easier to watch your baby go through. It's still his heart they're dealing with - that's a big deal!
We're praying for you guys today! May God bless you with the "peace that passes all understanding"!
Love you guys!
My mom always says, "From womb to tomb... once you have a child you wear your heart outside your body for the rest of your life."
Praying for you guys today as it still is a scary thing to go through. Keep us posted!
You have been in our thoughts and prayers today. We'll continue to pray for all of you as Levi recovers.
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