All Patched and Pumping!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Pardon any typos- I have never been so tired as I am right now.  But this exhaustion is worn with a smile!)

This was a day of many "mosts".  This was the most scariest, amazing, thankful, and appreciative day we have ever lived.  Miles sailed through his surgery- both defects repaired without a hitch.  We got glowing reports from numerous staff sources once the operation was done.  

Our experience was mainly compounded by two major delays in starting- we had to wait 2 hours after our initial start time to have anesthesiology start their work.  An additional 2 hours were added on because Miles' surgeon was called to cover an emergency situation.  The actual operation didn't start until 2 p.m.  I held my breath from then until 5:30, when our surgeon met us in the waiting room.  Have you ever dreaded and longed for something so much at the same time- well, I did.  Jesse and I longed for the procedure to be over, but then we were very nervous of the outcomes. 

 All that additional hand wringing and stomach acid was put to bay- Miles had no complications from the operation.  His heart, as I type, is pumping on its own.  Not 5 hours ago, that same heart was open and empty of blood.  Now it courses with new blood and a renew strength for life.  In fact, Miles blood oxygen levels are now higher than before the surgery.  We are already seeing improvements, and it's only been 4 hours since he was released from the OR!  

There is a good chance that Miles will be taken of the ventilator tonight!  He is breathing on his own, though his lung pressure is a bit low.  There is no rush to remove it; managing his pain is the top priority.  Miles was stirring when we first visited him around 7 p.m.  When we returned at 9, his eyes were open!  However, our little man was a bit too hyper for all the tubes and wires attached.  He was given a sedative; can't have him remove his own chest tube seeing that he's not quite finished with med school.  We were not allowed to spend the night tonight.  He is in a special cardiac PICU bay with his own nurse.  He will have 1:1 attention tonight.  That will certainly make me sleep more soundly.  As soon as he leaves the cardiac unit and moves to a private PICU room, Jesse and I will take turns spending the night.  Additionally, the hospital offers Wi-Fi to parents on our floor.  Many updates to come. . .

But for now, I bid you dear friends good night.  As our heavy eyes hit our welcoming pillows, know that are hearts are filled with gratitude for all the love we have received.  Our son Miles is a blessing.  His strength and fortitude are blessings.  Our network of care and support is a blessing, a blessing you all have made possible.