Fotan Surgery Date

I guess I will start by saying our consult with the surgeon on Friday went REALLY well.  Overall, I am truly impressed by him and know he will take the BEST care of our sweet Stephen.  We had a nice conversation, got all of our questions answered, and left with peace that he is the right surgeon for our son.

That being said, we have been given a date, July 2nd...3 weeks from today.

3 weeks.  I have 3 weeks to get everything "together."  I will be spending much of this coming week getting things settled at church, next week working on my house and the final week just soaking up family time.

I knew it would be "soon", and prayed for God's perfect timing, but it still felt far away before we had an actual date.  Now July 2nd is on the calendar and in 3 weeks my sweet 6 year old boy will undergo his 3rd open heart surgery.

I am often asked how I am doing.  The answer: As good as anyone would be doing 3 weeks before their child's major surgery.  And honestly,  I'm just not thinking about it.  I can't.  Thinking about the reality of what he will undergo is just too much.  It hurts.  So I am just focussing on God, His promises, and what I need to get done.

Most people are gearing up for a summer of sun, beaches, pools and vacations while an open heart surgery and a hospital stay are our big plans.  Yuck.  Matter of fact the surgeon said it will take a month to heal mostly, and then will be another 3 months or so before he could play soccer or baseball.  So I am sure this summer will be pretty disappointing for our sport loving little man.

Therefore, we are trying to look at the positives.

1.  He needs this surgery.  The prayer is his oxygen saturations will go up to the 90's and he will have more energy and stamina to keep up with the other kiddos his age...and make it to 2nd base without being too winded...huge win!  And while I wish he didn't have to go through it, I am grateful that it exists (but still praying for a better future solution!)

2.  He gets to Make a Wish!  Stephen's official Make a Wish packet came and our little buddy will get to Wish his hearts desire...and that is something fun and exciting to look forward to!!!

How cute is he is his Angels hospital gown?!

3.  It may not be a fun summer vacation, BUT he gets to go to one more Angel game on June 24th...and gets to sit in a suite!!!!  Joe's work rented a suite for the employees and their families, and though we should be staying home away from germs a week before surgery, we just can't pass this up!  Stephen LOVES the Angels.  He would watch and/or go to EVERY game if he could.  We have already talked about how he can watch all the games from his hospital bed, had a special Angels baseball hospital gown made (and a matching one for his custom Mike Trout doll) and were gifted a special Angels blanket to take to the hospital.  So having one fun family night before this all begins is pretty GREAT!!!

Stephen's special Mike Trout doll made by a fellow heart mom
and his own little hospital gown made by Wishers & Dreamers!

Prayers for our little heart hero and our family are greatly appreciated.  Please pray that we ALL can remain healthy over the next 3 weeks.  As hard as it will be for July 2nd to come, I really do not want it to be delayed due to sickness.  He will go in on June 29th for his pre-op apt and I pray that he is in perfect health and can move forward.  So, if you are sick (or have just been sick) or your kids are sick (or have just been sick) the BEST thing you can do to help (other than prayer) is stay away.  Well wishes from afar will mean MUCH more!  I cannot emphasize this enough.  We are basically going on lock down (minus the Angel game...yay!)  And then needs to remain healthy so we can be with I'm in the hospital, so his siblings can visit, and so he can have a safe environment to come home to.   Getting sick right after open heart surgery is NOT ideal.

I will try to write a little more on the actual surgery soon, but for now please be praying for health and peace for our household =)

Thanks Friends!