A Kathleen/little David update....good

[Dan Murphy]

Keeping in line with the good news postings of late here on the CB, a little update on David and his heart sugery of earlier this week. Quoting Kathleen..............

March 29, 2004 at 04:11 PM EST
ANOTHER SUCCESS!!!!!!
GREAT JOB DAVID!!!! You did it!! We are so very proud of you. You are so brave and so strong.

It's already over and David is on his way to the ICU for recovery. The surgery began at 2:00 pm. At 4:00 pm, Dr. Mayer came out to tell us the good news - they did what they wanted, the ligation of the collaterals...and the surgery is now complete. We are now on our way upstairs to the ICU, where we can see David in about an hour.

Dr. Mayer did say that David's SATs did dip very low a few times during the surgery, but they think it was from a combination of being in surgery, the anesthesia, the breathing tube, etc. At any rate, they will watch him closely for the next few days to see what his SATs do. At this point though, he doesn't think we will need another procedure right away.

Thank you all for your never-ending love and support. It means the world to us. Please keep David in your thoughts and prayers over the next week too, as the next 24-48 hours are critical.


March 30, 2004 at 12:25 PM EST
David had a good night. He is doing really well so far. We're still in the critical period, but he really seems to be doing great.

Today they are taking steps to slowly wean him off the paralytics, get him more alert, get him to try to breathe on his own, etc., so they can extubate and everything. He is also going to have an echo today. He had 2 chest x-rays and both have looked good. Smooth recovery so far.

We just saw him open his eyes for the first time too - a great feeling...well, it was at first! -- He opened his eyes, looked at Norm, looked at me, and then promptly looked away from us, and wouldn't look back! Who can blame him for being mad at us though?

March 31, 2004 at 11:09 AM EST
David had another good night!! In fact, he has already been extubated! He was awake and breathing on his own, so they took the breathing tube out during rounds this morning.
His swelling has gone down and he looks like himself again too.
He is still on morphine and other drugs to keep him from getting too upset and also for the pain, but he's definitely doing well.
We are probably even going to get to hold him later today.


Dr. Lang and Dr. Mayer are both happy with how things went and how things are going now. The next step with be another catheterization in 3-6 months. After that will be a surgery to replace his conduit and then a surgery to close his VSD/hole. And after that he'll have more surgeries as he grows to keep replacing the conduits as he outgrows them, and plenty of catheterizations. But of course we are just taking one step at a time, and this "step" is going very smoothly!

April 02, 2004 at 06:23 PM EST
Hi everyone,
David is still doing very well, his recovery is going smoothly.
He's very sad though, very grumpy. Understandable, of course. He's still in a lot of pain, so he is on plenty of pain meds. The type of incision he had this time, being across his side and up his back, is harder on the kids as far as pain goes. We can't pick him up the "regular" way for 6 weeks. But other than that he's doing well. His SATs are okay and he's eating very well. Just sad and sore.
We might be going home tomorrow, or maybe Sunday.
Thanks again everyone.

And another picture of the little champ, David............

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Continued prayers and good wishes, Kathleen.

Dan

 

[kasar]

Wow, that sweet little face sure doesn't show what a tough fighter that little boy is. I don't know this family or their history with little David but it sure looks like they have a great attitude despite their long road. Best of luck to all of them. It sure does put the petty little disagreements around here into perspective, doesn't it?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oh, a link or so for those new to David.........

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=453067

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489652

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=511044

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=535806

Older pictures links do not work.

 

[Big V]

That's good news Dan! Thanks for the update. I will keep little baby David in my prayers.

 

[FINFAN]

Oh, thanks Dan for the latest on sweet David...I am so amazed at what medical miracles are constantly happening. He is one tough cookie, as well as Mom and Dad! Being able ot take him home will be so nice.

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks for the update Dan.

 

[eeyoreforever]

This is the first time I have read any of these threads. I will add my thoughts and prayers for this sweet baby and his family. Thanks for the links Dan - you are the best.

 

[always quiet]

Thanks for the update Dan!! Continued prayers for little David and his parents.

 

[Serena]

Thanks Dan,

Prayers sent for David and Kathleen.

 

[Kitty 34]

Thanks for the update, Dan.


Still saying lots of prayers!

 

[GreenEyes0205]

Bless that little one. I hope his recovery is quick & less painful. I will say prayers for him.

 

[helenabear]

Thanks for the updates Dan, my prayers are with them all

 

[janette]

Thanks for the update! Prayers that he continues to do well.

 

[nativetxn]

I continue to keep our David in my prayers. Thanks for the update, Dan.