Rise and Shine

Here is Mary this morning at 6:30 am. That's the baby I love to see! She slept really well last night. I was a little worried how the whole sleeping in a crib would go - we don't own one - Mary is used to sleeping in the big bed with the rest of her family. But she is actually doing okay. She is still on oxygen - her respirations go up when she's asleep. There is nothing unusual about still needing the oxygen, but the sooner she gets off it, the sooner she can go home. She'll have an echo tomorrow, and hopefully we'll be home in the next day or two. Although, it's not too bad being here, with smiles like the above!

Road to Recovery

This morning they extubated Mary. The surgeon was so sweet, rocking the bed to comfort Mary when she first came off the ventilator. One of the other doctors even commented on what a good job she was doing calming Mary.

This experience has really restored my faith in the medical community. Every single person who has cared for Mary has been so incredibly loving. They always, without fail, comment on what a cute baby she is, before treating her. Each of them seem to truly love babies and children! When Mary was going back for surgery, I actually placed her in the anesthesiologist's arms. It was much more comforting than seeing her roll away crying on a stretcher. The surgical nurse describes the anesthesiologist as a great big teddy bear. And she really is!

Charlie and Sam were able to visit this morning right after she was extubated. Mary was still out of it, but it was nice to have our family together again.

Also, Mary had her first post-surgery meal tonight at about 5:30. She nursed like a champ, even though she is still pretty sleepy.

Here's a picture of her right where she belongs - back in her mama's arms.

Joyful Update

Mary is done with surgery! We are right now waiting for her to make her way up to the PICU. The surgical nurse came out and told us that she came off the bypass machine perfectly. Her heart started right back up, as if it had never missed a beat :) Also, they were able to save her pulmonary valve! Praise God! He has blessed us, again and again. She may still need a replacement in the future, but for now, this is the best news possible. Soon she should be in her room, and we can kiss her chubby cheeks. Hopefully she will come off the ventilator soon, and then recovery happens quickly after that. Thank you for your many prayers and messages of support!

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God

Scott, my sister, and I went to the chapel just now to pray for Mary. I was looking around and my eyes landed on the stained glass with the 6th Beatitude on it. I immediately felt a peace wash over me. I know that Mary is seeing God right now! I can see this time in the operating room as a gift to her. God is making himself real to her in a way that many of us may never know. This is much harder than I expected, and also not nearly as terrible as I feared.

Good Morning

Here we are on our way to the hospital. Mary does such a good job of keeping our spirits up!

She was very happy when we woke her up at 5am this morning. She was all smiles at the hospital until just before they took her back. At that point she was just really tired and hungry.

Emily planned this for me to keep me busy during my hospital stay.

'Twas the Night Before Surgery

Here we are. I know it's going to get a little bit worse before it gets better. Yet, God is good. All the time.

More tomorrow...

Pre-Op

Oh, this baby is so innocent. She trusts us to meet her every need. She expects that we will always make the best decisions for her. We're trying, Mary girl, we really are.