Thursday, January 22

Today when we went to the hospital we were hoping that nothing had changed in regards to Caden having surgery on Friday morning. The nurse told us she thought things looked good, but couldn't guarantee it. She said that the lab work had been ordered for early Friday morning and that was a good sign. However, she said they had not ordered the blood from the bank yet. So, they were hoping that would still happen this afternoon.

While we were sitting with Caden, the nurse asked us if we wanted to hold him and we jumped at the chance. We haven't been able to hold him since they put him on CPAP last Sunday. She thought it would be nice for us to hold him before he goes in for surgery. So, Greg held him first while I ate and pumped. Then when I got back, we switched and I held him. Over all I think we held him for about 2 ½ hours. It was really nice to be able to do that.

An anesthesia fellow came by while I was holding Caden and talked to us about what to expect when surgery happens. She told us she didn't know whether we would have surgery tomorrow or even Saturday so that made us a little nervous. We so desperately want to get through surgery so Caden can begin the healing process. But, she told us if it is tomorrow morning, they would come get Caden from NICU around 7 or 7:15 am. She said we could walk with them to the doors of the operating room and then we have to say goodbye. We will get a pager that works anywhere in the hospital so we can be notified as soon as surgery is over. She said if the surgeons say it will take about four hours, that is for their part and doesn't count the time it takes for anesthesia to get Caden ready in the beginning. And, she said once surgery is over, the anesthesiologists will take Caden to CVICU and get him settled there and get his care transferred over to the staff in that unit. So, she said we should anticipate it would take an hour and a half to two hours above and beyond surgery before we can actually see Caden again.

This evening when we went back to the hospital, Caden had a new nurse and we talked with her for a few minutes. She said the blood had been ordered from the bank. That was the last hurdle in preparing for surgery. And, the medical staff we have talked to say that being scheduled for the first surgery of the day is the best position to be in. That is the least likely position to be bumped for something else. That is reassuring as we are ready for this to be done with!

Greg and I plan to go to the hospital around 6 am tomorrow so we can spend some time with Caden before they take him to surgery. We would appreciate your prayers for the surgeons as they work on Caden. That they would have steady hands and there aren't any complications. And, we ask for your prayers for us as we wait during surgery. Give us the peace, strength and courage to get through the surgery as well as post-op recovery.