Just a quick note tonight to let you all know that there’s not much change today. Christopher is definitely having some trouble feeding but managing to get enough – just not enough to feel really full, so he’s pretty cranky. Otherwise he looks pretty good today. We’ve spent the day snuggling lots and just enjoying time with him. He has really woken up to the world this week and is starting to mimic facial expressions, which is adorable.
The hospital chaplain anointed Christopher with the oil of the chrism today, which was a lovely and comforting moment for us, as well as being very difficult, as it certainly made us face the reality of what is happening to our little guy.
Medically-speaking, there’s not much news from today. Christopher had some pre-operative bloodwork drawn today and he will have a pretty serious bath tonight where they scrub his chest very clean in preparation for the surgery. Otherwise, we’ve spent the day feeding him and snuggling him. We had lots of visitors to help break up the day: friends, family, and his grandparents from both Saskatoon and Belleville. Katie also came in with the grandparents for a visit, which was great for all of us.
One of the cardiologists stopped in this evening and told me that about 30% of coarctation repairs will “recoarct” (narrow down again) but mostly that happens around the 6 week mark. She said that it is absolutely extraordinary for it to happen within a week. No one seems to know what to make of the speed with which this happened. Once again, I find myself wishing that Christopher wasn’t the “interesting” patient around here. In medicine, it’s better to be boring.
We have had an absolutely overwhelming number of phone calls, emails, messages, and so on, and although we haven’t found time to answer them all, we really appreciate every single one. We know that prayers are being sent our way from all over the world and we know that will help all of us through the coming days.
Many people have asked what they can do. A few people who are here in town are planning to deliver some meals to the hospital for Brad and I, which we really appreciate. We are thoroughly sick of hospital food, and while it’s edible, it’s not the kind of healthy fare that helps us to stay strong through this time. Thank you to all the food delivery people for fuelling our bodies!
There is one other thing that might help. Christopher will require blood transfusions during surgery tomorrow and likely afterwards as well. Summer is typically a time of shortages in the blood supply and blood banks are often running quite low. So, if you are able and eligible to donate blood, please consider doing so this week. Your blood won’t make it directly to Christopher, but it will help to bolster the supply in general, which certainly helps him indirectly.
Christopher goes to the operating room around 7:45 tomorrow morning. He can’t eat after midnight so I am anticipating a night of snuggling a hungry little boy. We will post updates to the blog when there is news tomorrow. The surgery is anticipated to take most of the day, so please don’t be alarmed if there is no news until suppertime or later.
Thanks for keeping the prayers and positive thoughts coming. Your love is keeping us strong.
Sending so many good thoughts and prayers to your family, Christopher, his heart and the surgical team. You will be in my thoughts tomorrow.
Posted by: Farandolae | 07/05/2011 at 09:32 PM
Niki and Brad, words cannot express my heartfelt thoughts for you and Christopher. Words are little consolation at such a very terrifying time for you both. I can only refer to the phrase that "Jesus loves the little children, and holds them in the palm of His hand." May He give both of you and baby Christopher the strength that you all need to survive this ordeal. I will be with you in Spirit and Prayers tomorrow. Healing hugs from Luanne!
Posted by: Luanne Legault | 07/05/2011 at 10:03 PM
Nikki and Brad - I'm following the updates and praying for all of you every day. Nikki, thank-you for posting so often and letting us all know what is going on. Lots of love, prayers, and best wishes.
Posted by: Rebecca Kruisselbrink | 07/06/2011 at 07:07 AM
Niki, Brad and extended family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. Babies are very resilient and he will pull through this. Cuddle that baby as often as you can, he truly is a miracle baby. Lots of long distance hugs being sent your way~Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Carr Myers | 07/06/2011 at 07:44 AM