After Surgery in the CICU

Around 1pm on 5/6/14 we finally got to see Silas for the first time in his CICU (cardiac intensive care unit).  I was so excited to just see him.  We had just talked to his surgeon and knew he had done well.  He was sleeping but started stirring and crying when he heard me.  Silas even knew I was standing there.  He wanted mommy!  So I actually had to sit away from him.  It was bitter sweet because I wanted to touch him and talk to him yet I wanted him to rest.  The nurses were great so I actually felt good leaving because he was in great hands.    

 I had to touch him and love him and pray over him.  

 Mark is the best dad and was able to calm Silas down.  I could see Silas literally calm when Mark talked to him and touched him.  

 He came out of the OR with a slight temp so that's why he had the cloth on his head.  But it came down while we were there with him. 

Here is his CICU room. 

Here I am talking on the phone updating our loved ones. 

 Silas and I stayed our first night in the CICU.  It was better then I expected.  He did great.  

Here's where I slept!  Mark made my bed for me before he left the night before.  He's so good to me. 

 Silas took some pedialight at first.  This was an exciting step in his recovery.  

 Then he was ready for breast milk!!  I'm so glad I had pumped for a few weeks before surgery and froze the milk.  I also pumped while he was in surgery and during recovery.  It was JUST enough.  This little guy was hungry.  When we were down to 6oz of pumped milk God answered my prayer to actually breast feed Silas.  He was struggling with it for the 1st 24hrs and finally he did! 

 One of the goals we had before leaving the CICU was to get me to actually hold Silas.  We did that on day 2 and that was the BEST feeling.  

I was so excited to hold him.  I tried to breastfeed him but he still didn't want to.  I was a bit emotional about that but everyone kept telling me it was normal.  But like I said he eventually did and hasn't needed a bottle since! 

Goodbye CICU! 

Day of Surgery

Early in the morning, 5:30am we said goodbye to the kids and my parents and left for the hospital. This was very odd.  I wasn't sure how long I personally would be gone while Silas would be in the hospital.  I knew that Mark would bring the kids over to visit but it's hard to say goodbye.  

 We got to the hospital around 6am and checked in.  Silas got his ankle ID and Mark and I got our parent ID's.  God was so good and gave us peace.  We were really excited to finally be here at this point so that Silas could get healthy.  

 This is where we had to wait before they took us back to our private waiting room.  There were a few other families checking their kids in for various procedures.  

 Then they called "Silas" and we were walked back to the prep room.  I got a bit emotional at this point.  They gave me a cleaning cloth to wipe him down one last time.  This is to prevent infection as best as possible. 

I got Silas dressed in his gown and now we just snuggled.  At this point it was about 7:20am.  

 We then talked to the anesthesiologists.  They then had to take him back it was 7:33am.  I thank God that Silas was happy and doing really well.  He didn't cry at all.  This helped me be ok and not cry too much.  I was able to enjoy the process as much as I could. He was all smiles and after the surgery they told me as they were walking him into the operating room he was waving to all the nurses and doctors.  This really made me happy to hear.  

They gave us a pager and updated us throughout the surgery.  At 8:45am we got our first page the they actual surgery has started. Mark and I were able to stay busy.  We had breakfast at the hospital's Starbucks.  Then we went to the family resource center and I got to FaceTime the kids.  This was really sweet.  Then at 11:15am we got a page that the surgery was done and the doctor wanted to meet with us!  Everything went well! 

Praise God. 

Preparing for Surgery

 Saturday, May 3rd we drove to Redmond, WA to stay with my parents for Silas' open heart surgery.  We arrived 3 days before.  So we were able to visit a bit and relax.  When we arrived we weren't sure how long of a stay it was going to be.  

My parents were so excited to have us there and they took such good care of us all.  

 Monday, May 5th Mark, Silas and I spent the entire day at the hospital doing all his pre op appointments.  I hate this picture but wanted to share it because Silas was such a trooper that day.  They took X-rays (that's what Silas is doing in the picture), did an EKG, took blood twice! and did a physical.  It was a long and busy day.  

 Here's Silas' weight....it's about 13.9 lbs.  He's gained almost a whole pound since his hospital stay for pneumonia 7 weeks prior.  

 We did this a lot!  

 Another picture I don't really like but he did so well!!!  

 Then after all the poking and tests we enjoyed a hospital cafeteria lunch.  Silas was a happy boy again. 

 Here we are waiting for our last appointment of the day with anesthesia.  They did another physical and determined he was healthy for surgery.  Praise God!

They required us to give Silas 3 baths with some special soap before surgery.  Two were the evening before and one was the morning of Surgery.  Since we had to be at the hospital at 6:15am his morning bath was around 5am!!!  Again he was such a trooper.