Home and doing great!

Blaise did a great job yesterday in the recovery room. They actually entered his body in three places, once in his neck, and once in each groin. Traditionally they only need one, but he needed two because he has a vortex shunt in his heart, so I believe they needed to go in from two different locations since maybe they couldn’t pass through that. The third location was due to going into his right leg before realizing his femeral artery was blocked there. Anyway, those entry spots are not stitched closed, but clot on there own, shutting it off. He had to lay flat on his back and not move his legs for six hours, not even to use restroom. They did not want these clots to move or break open and bleed out. He did excellent laying there, watched the Little Rascal movie had a few of our favorite nurses stop by to visit and played the hospital iPad. He never took a nap! Around 6, he was released to go home. We did a quick Burger King stop, and got him tucked into bed around 730 when we got home. Sutton and Holten were both very concerned loving caring siblings who noticed all of Blaise’s “owies.”

I went to work today and Mike stayed home with Blaise who was on bed rest. They did make it to Bomgaars to pick out any farm toy he wanted, our bribe for going through everything. He choose a JD 4020, with a mower. He did really good today, took a nap, played nicely. We got his pressure dressings off and I’m sure that has to feel better!

It sounds like the heart department at Children’s blew up into a chaotic hot mess this week, with lots of emergency cases being admitted. Since Blaise is doing fine, his case is not considered emergent. The findings from his heart cath will be presented during one of the meetings all of the cardiologist, surgeons and heart depts have every Monday morning. Due to all the emergency cases taking priority and a 2 hour timeframe, we don’t think they’ll have time to discuss Blaise this next Monday, so we will have to wait another week. Nothing that we are aware of should limit Blaise from having his big open heart surgery yet this summer. Thank you for all the prayers, thoughts and messages! There is nothing better then small town Iowa or Nebraska!! A few fun “small world” notes from yesterday- Dr. Danford and Dr Delaneys main nurse, who has been there with us since we got the diagnosis, all our check ups and yesterday is married to my elementary p.e teacher. We also learned that Dr Delaney’s (the heart cath surgeon- he’s done all three of Blaise’s) has a marathon coach and she is originally from Treynor and babysat me when I was little! #godsigns

P.p.s. If anyone is better then me at blogger apps on your phone let me know- mine isn’t letting me add any photos

Heart cath updates

Noon- Thanks be to God! Everything went good! There were no repairs that needed to be made. His anatomy remains the same, so while he has odd coronary arteries it’s working for him. One of the early surgeries the fixed a valve and it doesn’t seem to be narrowing, however during Fontan there may be somethings done on this area. The only other thing we learned was his femeral artery in his right leg is destroyed, most likely from his first heart cath at 24 he’s old. There still is plenty of blood flow to his leg. Mike is currently with him, and they think he should go home tonight. Thank you thank you for the prayers. They will present the findings to Dr. Danford but think he is s candidate for the fontan!!

11:00 they just called to say there were done! Waiting for dr Delaney to come talk to us

10:57 no current update

9:08 Blaise has been taken back for surgery. He got his versed, and after throwing a small fit about taking it, got it done. It started to kick in, and the only one with tears at the surgery door was mom!


we are checked in. Blaise is pretty anxious and nervous. I think the whole hospital could hear him screaming during his blood draw. Dr Delaney has been in, and it sounds more likely that they will keep him over night. Also sounds like they will access him in two spots both the neck and groin, and likely they will have to perform some repairs while in there. The surgery is currently pushed back an hour as his blood has an antibody in it and they are looking for a match.

Heart cath in the morning!

Just a quick update from my phone before tomorrow’s surgery. Blaise is tucked in bed, after a swwwt prayer asking Jesus for a good surgery and good news tomorrow. We told Blaise Monday night after his tball game about his heart cath surgery. We told him the doctors would put him to sleep, take him to the operating room so they could get a better look at his heart, then he would wake up and be done. He immediately got upset crying, burying his face in the couch and saying I’m scared. We tried our best to reassure him all would be fine, and he could pick out any tractor at bomgaars when he was done. He’s steadily asked more questions especially tonight and is very anxious and nervous. He’s very concerned he’ll get a shot- which is about all a six year old can comprehend surgery means. He’s got his John Deere blanket, stuffed tiger and pillow ready to take with him.

We are dropping Sutton and Holten off at 445 am at Jessie’s, as we have to check in at 6. His procedure begins at 8. Many prayers, fears, and reassuring thoughts running through my head right now. I think all in all our family is taking it all in stride, letting the hope for positive outcomes override the incredible fear. Join us in prayer tonight. “Dear Lord Jesus, we ask that you be with Blaise and Dr. Delaney tomorrow during his heart cath. Please keep Blaise safe and calm, please use your hands to guide Dr Delaneys and please let the surgery be successful with no complications, or unwanted discoveries. God, please provide us with excellent news. Amen”