The Next Surgery

Well, it has been quite a while since I've updated everyone on Jacob.  Needless to say, he's done great.  After his last surgery in 2014, we did have to go back in due to fluid around his lungs, but after a week or two in the hospital and a change in diet (to a horrible formula called Enfaport - terrible memories).  He did have a cath a couple of years ago to check out some narrowing and they were able to ballon it and that did the trick.

In the years since, he has grown up into quite the little man.  He started Preschool last year and he's just a sweet little boy.

Hiking at Graveyard Fields (9-23-17)

He and his brother love each other and play all the time.  Jacob loves Paw Patrol (and every other cartoon just about) and monster trucks.

A couple of months ago, we had a scheduled cath to check everything out in anticipation of having the Fontan surgery, which brings us to today.  As I speak he is back in surgery.  The Fontan essentially re-routes the blue blood coming from the lower body directly to the lungs (it is currently going into his heart and mixing with the red blood, which is less efficient).  You have to wait for this surgery as the lungs need to be fully developed and the heart/ body at a large enough size to put a big enough tube in there to last him a long time (so he won't outgrow it).  The surgery does take quite a while -  most of the time involved is cutting through scar tissue though (3 hours they said).

There is a new surgeon here at Levine, Dr. Kirshbom, who replaced Dr. Peeler who did his previous two surgeries.  He is supposed to be an excellent surgeon, which is why we are back here!

We aren't excited to be here by any means, and it was really hard to leave Ethan behind with his Nanna and Pops, but it was also good that they were there to take him to school and take care of him while we are gone!  Of course, Ethan got a fever the night before we left, just to add to all of the excitement...

Our prayers are that everything goes well and he recovers quickly.  The main concern for recovery is fluid around the lungs (remember that?), which is a result in the change of pressures in the lungs from the redirected blood flow.  So we'll be in the hospital until all of that stops.  It could be anywhere from a week to a month +, so we'll pray that he doesn't drain too bad. That is about all of the update for this moment, I will keep you posted as to how everything progresses!