Day #1 - She's stable in the PICU

Sorry its taken me so long to update. We've been trying to get on the waiting room computer and we've been in for our first visit with Abbi since she's been settled in the PICU. She came back from the OR at 5:45pm. The surgeon said things went well. Her heart came off the heart/lung machine very strongly. Her heart rate has been slow since coming off, so they need to "pace" her heart just to keep a solid rhythm. Apparently this is quite normal after the Fontan. She was also able to be extubated before leaving the OR. This is a great step in the right direction.

But that being said, it also means she is a lot more alert than we expected. She was struggling a bit as they were getting her settled, and within minutes of us being at her bedside she said "Mama, can I have some water?" WOW! Not expecting that. Last surgery she was very sedated, but because she is breathing on her own, she obviously can't be too sedated. So I guess there is an upside and a downside to this. She is much more expressive in her discomfort, but it also means we are one step ahead without the ventilator.

So now the next 24 hours are fairly critical and will dictate a lot about the rest of her recovery. So far the nurses are saying that she is doing exceptionally well. That is all good news. Her being groggy, talking, and starting to move a bit are all normal. Although from our viewpoint, its very difficult to watch her struggling so much. The surgeon still anticipates a 8-10 day hospital stay.

She will likely be in the PICU for the next 24-48 hours. Her blood loss is considerable at this point, but that is fairly normal with the Fontan. She has 3 drain tubes (around her heart). Once the blood loss slows down a bit and she starts to stabilize a bit more, they will be able to take out the LA Line. This measures the pressures in her Left Atrium. Once that is out she could be leaving the PICU within about 4 hours as long as things continue to be stable.

We are all obviously quite tired as we have been here for almost 12 hours. Not sure what we will do overnight at this point. It really is tempting to stay at her bedside because she is so alert, and asking for people - but you also know that she is in the best care she could ever be in. So we'll see what happens. Obviously having Gabe forces you to keep somewhat of a schedule, but we are considering doing shifts overnight (between me, Rob, Ruth, and Rob's Mom, Marilyn).

We were able to get out to Denny's during the procedure though. Don't worry, we have eaten! Rob jokingly said he would take one of everything on the menu he was so hungry. So we are all still feeling quite full after our Denny's feast. That was a good break, but it was also very surreal to be leaving the hospital with a little bag that had all of Abbi's things in it.

Rob went into the OR with her until she was sedated. He got to "scrub in" with his cap, gown, and shoe covers. Looking very doctorly. Only one of us could go, and I honestly think I would have fainted. Rob said it was very intense and almost overwhelming being in there with all the machines, nurses, instruments. etc, etc. I got to ride up to the OR bay on the gurney holding her. Hard to let go.

Anyway, I wanted to get on here and post as soon as I could as I know many people are waiting to hear. I may update once more tonight, if not, tomorrow morning. The first night is always a huge indicator. Thank you all for checking in on us. As hard as this has been so far, its behind us now. Now we work on her getting better and getting home. Wow, something that we talked about for so long, is over. Strange.

Thank you all!
The Nepper Team