Check up with Dr. Teodori

"Thank you, Dr. Teodori, for saving my life. Love, Andrew."

Andrew had his check back with his surgeon today. He is doing wonderful: off all medicine, oxygen saturation at 100%, weighs 10 pounds, slept 6 hours in a row last night. He truly is Super Andrew. 

Thanks to each one of you for all your love and support!

G R A T I T U D E

We want to send a BIG THANK YOU to each one of you for the part you played in Andrew's recovery. Kind words, cards, packages, emails, texts, prayers, fasting, and positive thoughts pulled us through those difficult eleven days. We have felt at peace and Andrew was blessed with a miraculous recovery because of your strength, faith, and love.

On Saturday, I was taking a break from the hospital. I took a minute to research a bit more about the arterial switch operation (ASO). The ASO is one of the most complex surgeries for congenital heart defects--a 9 out of 10 according to our surgeon. Typically, babies stay in the hospital 14 days after the surgery. Andrew was released on Sunday after only five days. He has had no complications so far. What a miracle!

Thanks again for your love and support!

Love,

John, Elise, Paul, Megan, Ivy and Andrew

HAPPY

I'm going home!!!

Quick Update

Just a quick update on Andrew's progress.  His central line came out today, so the only thing attached to him besides monitors is his nasal cannula with O2 running at 0.05L per minute (not a typo).  Once he weans off of that, he's golden.  There is still a chance he'll go home tomorrow, but I'd guess more likely on Monday.  He's still eating like a champ - he put away 50mL at his last feed.  Andrew had an ECHO yesterday.  The tech said it looked like a 'near perfect repair.'  I am so glad things have gone so well so far.  What a tough kid - I feel so blessed...

A couple pictures from the kid's visit yesterday - it was their first chance to hold their new brother:

Andrew's Heart Defect

At his twenty week routine ultrasound, Andrew was diagnosed with transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). At a fetal echo a few weeks later, the diagnosis was confirmed and further found to be simple d-TGA. Simple d-TGA means that Andrew didn't have any other defects (simple) and that the cells that would become his aorta and pulmonary artery twisted to the right instead of the left (d) as they were forming.

I like Mayo Clinic's picture and description of TGA. 

It can be found here:

Postop day 3

Andrew continues to amaze.  He is off all meds and fluids.  Pacer leads have been removed and his last line is hep locked.  Just basic noninvasive monitors remain.  Nasal cannula will come off after the next echo shows normal function.  He has been eating like a champ as well.  The biggest concern of the day is his bilirubin is a touch high.  It's nice to worry about normal newborn stuff for a change.  He is on track to be home on Sunday barring a setback.  Hooray!

Here's a couple photos:

Andrew shows what he looks like under the cape:

Lack of tubes this morning:

Andrews first postop feed (two nights ago):

Mom holding baby for the first time since surgery (yesterday):

Thanks again for your support everyone!! 

Post Op Day 2--Evening

Medical stuff: Dopamine is done. Art line will be removed shortly. Continue feeds and add in nursing if tolerated. One last IV medicine will be stopped in the morning. Andrew is taking two medications by mouth that he will continue for a while at home. He is also on Tylenol for pain as needed. If my chest has been pried apart, I'd want something a little stronger. 😉

Mom stuff: I was able to hold Andrew for about two hours this afternoon. It is so fun to feed him, talk to him, read to him, and see him more alert. 

I think his doctors are pleased with his recovery. I know I am happy as can be. This morning, Dr Teodori, Andrew's surgeon, told us to get his room ready at home. The time may be getting close.