Today was a roller coaster of emotions. The plan was to discharge Ryan pending a successful tissue expansion with plastics yesterday. Unfortunately, the plastic surgeon was called out of the office unexpectedly yesterday afternoon so wasn’t able to come until today.
I left the hospital thinking for sure they wouldn’t allow Ryan to come home the same day as the expansions as we like to observe him after each expansion for awhile. So, I felt a little disappointed this morning when I woke up and wasn’t quite sure what the plan for today would be.
Then, to my surprise, when I called Ryan’s nurse, she told me they were still planning on discharging Ryan after plastics came today. Yeah!! I set about getting last minute details finished, i.e., buying size 3 diapers and installing his car seat. Then headed downtown… where all the lights are bright, downtown, waiting for you tonight, downtown, you’re gonna be alright [sic] now… oh, sorry, I got distracted.
I arrived at the hospital around 2 o’clock and found a very peaceful, sleeping Ryan. He’s so darn cute! Then started waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I was waiting for two people – the man who was to deliver the oxygen and plastics.
The O2 man finally arrived around 5 o’clock to deliver the portable oxygen and teach me how to use the oxygen mixer, the home suction kit, and the pulse ox machine. Going over home care always makes me feel a little overwhelmed (like makes me want to say, ‘no, really, you guys can keep him here.’), but I know that in a week or two all these new toys will become old hat.
By now, I began realizing Ryan might not be coming home today. For one, when the oxygen man arrived, I realized he only had the portable oxygen, not the home oxygen. The company was set to deliver the home oxygen to my house, but unfortunately, I haven’t figured out how to be in two places at once. And being that their hospital delivery man was supposed to arrive at 2 p.m., but didn’t until 5 p.m., there was no way for me to get home quickly to meet the home delivery guy.
It wouldn’t have mattered anyway because the second problem was that plastics still hadn’t arrived and I was told the cardiology team wanted to observe Ryan for FOUR hours after his expansion. Aaaggghhh!
Dr. D, the cardiologist, stopped by while the equipment man was there and we decided being it was so late and the oxygen wasn’t even at my house yet, it was best that Ryan stay another night and be discharged first thing in the morning.
Dr. B, the plastic surgeon, arrived around 6:15 p.m. Ryan physically tolerated the expansions, but boy does he hate them. He started crying as soon as Dr. B started prepping the site for the injection.
I drove home without my baby in the back seat, but that’s okay. A little down after being so excited about bringing Ryan home, I realized how tight my emotions are wound. It is times like these that remind me that although I don’t feel as if I’m under a great deal of stress, my emotions are running in overdrive and the littlest thing can be devastating. I’m not devastated tonight – since I know Ryan is coming home tomorrow. Today just made me realize how ramped up my emotions are.
BUT there is good news – no – great news. Dr. D did an echo today and for the first time e.v.e.r, she saw Ryan’s… drum roll please… pulmonary arteries. Whether they were too small to see before or if we just never got a good look, who knows, but today, there they were and they are measuring within normal range.
Um, did you catch that? I said, Ryan’s pulmonary arteries are measuring within the normal range of 4 – 6 mm. They are a 4, but I’ll take that. They were roughly 1.5 mm when he was born. What does this mean? THEY ARE BIG ENOUGH FOR THE GLENN PROCEDURE!! Ok, time for a big hallelujah.
That about sums up my day. The new target for homecoming is tomorrow. The pulmonary arteries are ready for the next heart surgery. We are simply waiting on the skin to expand.
I know I promised to post on how the skin expanders work. I will. And will try to get you pics of our new toys as well. But that is for another day and another post. For now, I’m going to rest up so I can bring my boy home tomorrow.
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(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (14)
I am sorry that baby boy did not come home tonight but tomorrow is soon coming!!! YAY! PRAISE THE LORD about the pulmonary artery. That is great news. WOO HOO!!
That is awesome!! Prayer works.
We’ll keep on praying!
Yeah I’m totally sorry that your baby boy didn’t come home when you were so hoping he would. But I am soooo glad that his pulmonary arteries looking good. Praise Jesus!
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! What wonderful news. Congratulations. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow so you can bring your little bundle home.
Congratulations again.
AMEN!!! That is wonderful news, about Baby Ryan coming home and the arteries!
Prayer works adn we’re cont to pray for your baby and the family!!
Hip Hip Hooray for pulmonary arteries!!! What a huge step for the little guy!
whew that really does sound like a roller coaster!! i’ll be praying for y’all as you come home TODAY!!
I am sorry for the ride yesterday BUT….
I am totally CELEBRATING the NEWS!!!!!!!!!! OMGosh …. at a loss for words girl! So exccited. That is such awesome news, I just started crying and then quickly posted a celebration update on my blog! I wish I was there to squeeze you all and cheer with you!
Rejoicing with you today adn will rejoice even more when Ryan is back home with you and Henry and the girls! Praying for that all day!
Sorry he didnt get to come home but boy what a great way to end the post! I am so excited that his arteries are where they should be. I cant wai tto read that he is home and doing well tomorrow 🙂
*puts down the laptop to do a happy dance*
Yeah for normal pulmonary arteries!!!
Yay, Leighann!!! Praise the Lord!!! This brought tears to my eyes…so excited for you!!
Richelle
yay!! i have chills!!! {why??? why do i ever doubt our God??)
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God! Life is so much better after the Glenn. We are praying for more and more good news. God is so good and His timing is perfect.
Yeah for a growing pulmonary artery! Double yeah for God!! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow….