WHEW!!!

We are constantly amazed by the sheer strength and determination of a little babe we call "Dinky". I tell you what, today the name just doesn't fit. I can't even think of a name that does him justice. He did great. Everything in the 4-1/2 hour surgery went great. First they dilated his esophagus which went okay although they are anticipating having to do it again in the future. Then the surgeon came out to let us know since that went well they were going ahead with the aortopexy. He described that as "touchy" and said he couldn't really give us a time estimate. We sat in the waiting room and waited...and waited. We were imagining a movie where they show images of the clock to show the passage of time as other parents come...and go. We waited. Finally the surgeon came out and told us that everything went well. They were doing a bronchoscopy as they did the procedure so they could see how things were going and, right on cue, they watched the damaged part of his airway open up. Dinky tolerated everything great and didn't even need blood! They took him back to the NICU where everyone got him settled back in and glowed as we all celebrated his strength. One doctor said, "I've never seen a baby come back from the OR looking so good". And then one doctor, our surgeon, smiled. That smile spoke more than words ever could. In the 2 months we have known him we haven't seen that and today, let me tell you, it was sweet.

So...because things went so well they are wasting no time in moving him along. The plan is to let him wake up throughout the day and night and keep him comfortable but not "snowed". Starting at midnight they will give him steroids to decrease any swelling in his airway and tomorrow they will try and remove the breathing tube. Wednesday was a big day, today is a big day, and tomorrow will be a big day. Thank you ALL for your prayers and positive thoughts. They worked.