Waiting for Pic w/Santa

Adam and Aaron winter 2008

Doing a bad job of Speak No Evil

the force is with the Seiden Zoo

Adam with Yellow Power Ranger

In front of Cinderella's Castle

Boys in their Disney Hats

Adam's Booty Dance at Carillon

Zoo at Carillon Beach

Ben and Adam

Ben with a broken thumb and broken leg.

Ben with 2 Casts

Adam & Aaron - both a mess

Baby Aaron

Happy to be home

As comfortable as the hospital's accommodations were for us, we are so happy to be home. Daniel is doing so much better than the last time. I think it would be hard to tell he even had surgery. His surgeon's staff has called, and they could not be more pleased with his results.

So once I again we would like to thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. It is very difficult to enter into this type of surgery with four little ones at home. Daniel was very strong and I know that his strength was derived from faith. Mine was as well, and there was one verse in the bible that hit me. After reading it I was at peace. It is short and sweet, if any of you are ever in a difficult spot - I hope it helps.

Isaiah 40:31
those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Love,
Kathy

Good News

We just met with the doc on call, and she said that we should be leaving between 8 and 9 tomorrow morning. As you can imagine we are so happy. I just read Daniel's blog from this morning, and he really looks good - tubes and all. The thing in his neck is weird, but should come out today. Yea!

Leaving Soon?

Not quite sure when as I write this thatI am going to be able to go home but it could be pretty soon. The only things I've got left on me are a heart monitor which I simply wear around my neck and is attached just through snap-on leads, a small drain which is still catching leakage from some of the incisions (output has been dropping and has to get pretty low before they'll let me go), and the most Frankenstein-esque needle of all which is a really long one inserted into my jugular that runs down into my chest. This is a doozy of an idea much less to see it in practice. It's easy as they are able to draw blood and administer drugs without sticking me or me even having to be awake, but geez what a look it is. This thing will come out once they decide I am finally going home.

I've met all of the other physical requirements so at this point I think it's just the drainage from the one drain close to my belly. There's a longshot chance that it could be today but most likely is tomorrow. I've got my fingers crossed. I can't tell you how ready I am to see everyone, especially my boys.

Thanks again for all of your support; it is invaluable and hard to put into words.

Post-Op Day 2

Got up and took several laps around the wing this morning. Nearly every catheter and drain has been removed. The only real item remaining is the needle in my jugular that goes all the way down to your chest. It's hard to believe this is only the second day since my surgery.

I want everyone to know that I definitely felt your prayers and appreciate them. It's really touching to know there are some many people who have been so wonderful to us through this whole trip.

Love all of you,
Daniel

here is a picture of me strolling this morning.

Day 2

We are finally in a room - S524. Daniel is still doing really well and has been able to sit up and should be able to walk by tomorrow.

Post-op

Daniel is currently in the CICU, and his breathing tube was removed last night at midnight. He looks fantastic, much better than last time. He is alert - and joking a bit. I will let you guys know when he is in a room.
Kathy

In recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're in recovery - 6.5 hours instead of 4.5 hours!!! As you can imagine we are thanking God and beyond happy. Dr. McGiffin said that his heart looked great and his original surgery also looked really good.

Thank you all again for your prayers I know God heard you all, and we definitely felt it.

Nearing Completion of surgery

The hospital representative gave us the news that Daniel made it through the surgery fine. So now that I have composed myself - I can update the blog. We all cried and cheered. Now they are closing him and we found out that his pulmonary valve was replaced and his aneurysm was removed. So - Bobby - he'll be in football shape in about a month!:)

I'll update after I speak to the surgeon.

Daniel Doing Fine

Daniel's nurse gave us an update. She said he was in good spirits as he was wheeled into the OR. He is doing very well on the heart lung machine and seems to be tolerating the surgery well. It's a huge relief as you all can imagine - He has another 3 1/2 hours to go.

Surgery 9 a.m.

At 8 this morning, Daniel was taken back the pre-op area and after our dry run yesterday it wasn't quite as emotional. The waiting on Tuesday really drained us! So as I hear something I will update the blog. Thank you all again for prayers and good wishes - keep it up! We need it:)
Love to everyone,
kathy

Postponement

Daniel's surgery has been postponed until 9 a.m. tomorrow - this has been a really long day! His surgeon had to take an emergency case, and we were bumped from the schedule. Now we are the first case tomorrow and our surgeon will be fresh and ready to go! We will keep everyone posted...

Surgery day

Hi Everyone - Daniel's surgery is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. It is expected to take between 4 and 5 hours. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts. Please continue to keep us in your prayers this afternoon.
love you all,
Kathy

What I'm Having Done

While all of you may know that I'm having surgery some of you don't know exactly what I'm having done. Rather than have me try to explain I've included a link to a more lucid explanation from the Mayo Clinic. My aneurysm is of the ascending aortic flavor as you read the article. The only caveat to my situation is the surgery I had almost nine years ago. The aortic valve replacement surgery (Ross Procedure) I had at that point makes this surgery a little more complicated than what it normally would be.


http://www.mayoclinic.org/aortic-aneurysm/thoracictreatment.html

Here is some information on the Ross Procedure:


Here is the link to the surgeon who will be performing the surgery as well:

Daniel's Current Surgery Schedule

Sunday 1/20/08 - Leave for Birmingham
Monday 1/21/08 - Admission to UAB
Tuesday 1/22/08 - Surgery scheduled

Surgeon is Dr. David McGiffin.

That's as much as I know right now. It should be 4 or 5 nights in the hospital and home after that.

More updates to come.

Adam on New Year's Eve '07

Adam's first experience with fireworks. He loved the sparklers and still asks to do them nearly every day.

This picture made the front page of the paper in Mandeville. His first step to stardom is from the St. Tammany Farmer. Thanks to our super-talented friend Susan Sheehan for the picture