We are officially post-op!

We just met with Dr. Bradley and everything went smoothly. We are going to get some lunch and then will get to see him in about an hour. I am crying tears of joy! Praise the Lord!

Update # 4 12:10pm

They are about to take Zach to PCICU. Dr Bradley will be here to let us know all the details in a few minutes. I'll post again when I can. Keep praying as they get Zach settled in PCICU --- as they get everything stablized, begin pain management, and getting him off the breathing machine later tonight.

Update #3 11:18am

Just got a third update --- Zach is already off of the heart lung machine! Praise the Lord!!! They said they hope to be over to the PCICU (Ped. Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) within the hour. I guess Dr. Bradley will be out to talk to us then.
Thank you for your fervent prayers! We feel them surrounding us and strengthening us!
Heart hugs,
Pam and Bill

Update 2 10:07 All is well. on heart and lung bypass now thanks for your prayers
**Pam**

Update 1 905 All is going well so far should have a second update soon
**Pam**

Look out MUSC, here we come!

Someone really should call ahead and warn the docs and nurses at MUSC that Zach is about to crash their party. The wildman is about to enter the building! The BIGGEST flirt in the world is about to work his magic! They might never be the same...

We have made the most of our weekend at home. We spent some time trying to prepare Zach for what he's getting ready to experience. Anyone that knows Zach knows that sitting in one place to play with anything for more than 2 seconds does not happen, so getting him to listen and doctor on the doll they sent home with us is like trying to hit a moving target.

I apologize for the lovely picture quality here --- this was taken with a cell phone

Zach has decided, "I don't want to go to Chwalstron. I just stay here." Well that's the end of that discussion. Who can blame him, wanting to stay here when he has had so much fun? Look at what he has been doing...

This is an inflatable bouncy thing (yes, in our living room!) that we have had up to entertain Zach for the past week. He discovered, while I was occupied in another part of the house, that he could flip it over, propped on our ottoman, climb up on the ottoman, and slide down! Pretty ingenious, I have to admit! We've been calling him MacGyver! We just hope we don't have to go to the hospital for something different, like a broken bone or something!

We have to pack up, have some lunch and head down the road after lunch. MUSC, here we come!

This is the beautiful Ravenel Bridge between Charleston and Mount Pleasant

Pre-op

We are home again after a long day at the hospital. We had a hard time deciding about whether to come back home or not, but we figured it would be much easier to entertain Zach at home for the weekend. One thing is for sure, we WILL be purchasing a car DVD player for the trip back!!!

Pre-op went very well and all is clear for surgery on Monday. Praise the Lord! Zach was such a brave boy during his vitals, EKG, echo, chest x-rays, and blood work (the worst of all). He flirted with all the nurses, as usual!

We have to be at the hospital at 5:30am (Ouch!!!) on Monday morning. They will take him back at around 7:30am (after a good dose of versed!) and they expect the surgery to take about 6 hours. He will be in PCICU for 2-3 days then on the floor for several days (a week to 10 days). He loved going to the playroom today, so hopefully he will be ready to get up and around so he can go play.

It is such a blessing to feel the prayers that all our friends and family are lifting up on our behalf. We have also been blessed with a wonderful place to stay while Zach is in the hospital. Our host family is so sweet and their bonus room is a haven.

Thank you for your continued prayers!