Priming the Pump

They just wheeled Zack out of surgery, and we were able to see him briefly on the way to the PICU. He was semi-conscious, and was not intubated (good news). His color looked really good.

We had a brief consultation with the cardiothoracic surgeon. Not only was his VSD repaired without complication, but his tricuspid valve did not require any surgery. Once the VSD was repaired, there was no longer any regurgitation against the tricuspid valve. So the valve is functioning normally.

Once they have him situated in the PICU, we'll get to join him...hopefully another 45 minutes or so.

Posted by Chris at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

The OR just called again, and Zack is off bypass. They said he came off bypass gracefully. They are now closing him up, and we'll see him soon.

Posted by Chris at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

We just got another call from the OR, which was surprisingly quick. The repairs to his VSD has been completed, and Zack's cardiologist is reviewing his TEE. Once he has given the thumbs-up, they'll take him off bypass and close him up.

Posted by Chris at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We just received a call from the OR. Zack is now on bypass and they are preparing to complete the repair of his VSD.

Posted by Chris at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Getting ready for surgery this morning well off without a hitch. Zack got right out of bed (at 5:30 am!) and hopped in the car. We got to the hospital around 6:00 and went through a few last-minute checks and sign-offs. The nurse gave him some Versed to help sedate him. The medication took hold quickly, and he was in a drunken state within minutes. We gave him hugs and kisses just before 7:30 am — right on schedule.

The surgical staff will keep us updated as the surgery progresses.

Posted by Chris at 07:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We'll be at the hospital by 6 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. surgery start time.

First surgery of the day is always a good thing -- even better knowing your surgeon has just returned refreshed from a relaxing vacation.

Zack will be given a sedative and then ride a tricycle or be pulled in a red wagon down the hall into the OR around 7:30 a.m. where he will be given a root beer flavored oxygen mask with the special sleeping medicine.

He has one assignment from his doctor tomorrow morning. He has to name three brands of root beer for his cardiologist before the surgery.

Anesthesia will take about an hour, then cardiopulmonary bypass will take about an hour, and then the actual surgery will take maybe another three or so. We'll get hourly updates from the staff and will post them to this blog.

Stay tuned.

Posted by Holli at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)