James' Recovery Begins

James is a trooper. He began the Fontan this morning at nine AM. Five hours later, Dr Chai comes out to tell us James's surgery went well. Six hours later, the surgical team finishes up, getting him ready for the move to the PICU. Seven hours later, docs in the PICU tell us James is sedated heavily, sleeping peaceful in the PICU, while they put in lines of various fluids and meds to stabilize and hydrate him for the recovery ahead.

Eight hours in, they tell us he's still not stable and they're working hard to get him there. We haven't seen him yet as they try to get him to a happier place - "hopefully soon" has been the mantra for the last few hours. 

And James has a hearty recovery in store, probably won't be lightened off sedation or woken up until he's more stable, most likely will be here a week or so as his body adapts to the new plumbing, but they plan to make the first big step and take out his breathing tube by tomorrow evening, possibly as early as tonight.




Meanwhile, mommy and daddy wouldn't mind a walk and a nap :)


PS Weill Cornell, mommies and daddies might also not mind if non-medical folks here decided to treat parents who are here with and for their children less like criminals and vagabonds hitching along for the ride, but that's for another post another day...