Yesterday, I got to clip Louis' finger nails and change his diaper. Funny how those chores are usually dreaded but in my current reality, they're a treat. Things seemed to be on track. Louis had his chest tube drain removed and stitched up. His arterial IV was also removed, which means he's on lower medications. But I'm really frustrated today. There's no where to put my frustration, and no one to blame it on or anything to take it out on, so bear with me.[...]

It's so difficult to sit in a waiting room. There's a tv screen that shows patient numbers and what part of the procedure they're in; "in pre-op, surgery, to post-op recovery" etc. It's agony watching the screen, so today Dan and I decided not to look at what number Louis was. [...]

Today was a good day. The last few days have been long and hard. Louis was put on the bypass machine (ECMO). Don't google it. The google definition is scary. Let me tell you it's specific purpose in our case. Louis' heart had a lot of stress this week so to help him rest and heal better, they used the ECMO to oxygenate his blood for him. This allowed both his heart and lungs to rest and recharge after a busy week of invasive procedures (though, his lungs are in great shape and we aren't concerned with their ability to get oxygen to his blood). [...]

Today, our team of doctors decided to adjust Louis' heart rate with temporary pacing wires. This is to improve the synchronicity of his ventricular contractions (allows his heart to squeeze all over at the same time). It's working well.[...]

The doctors intended to resect Louis' left coronary artery and shift the position a bit to improve blood flow. Once in surgery, they found the position of the artery was good, but there was some tissue pushing on it which was restricting the blood flow. [...]

Louis is currently undergoing an additional open heart surgery to resect a coronary artery. 

If you pray, please keep praying. [...]

Louis is two months old today. 

Dan and I stepped away from the hospital so we could go vote. I forgot to change my address after I moved in with Dan so I am waiting in line, alone. The line isn't too long. I see a mother in front of me toting her child in a stroller, and one behind me wearing her newborn. Everyone is coo-ing over their new babies.[...]

I waited and waited to write any sort of update once we were home because I wanted to be sure things were really looking up. And I was starting to believe they were. [...]

Louis' surgery was October 17th, and he has been home since October 26th. He had his first check up with his surgeon on November 3rd. They weigh him and measure him and listen to his heartbeat and check his pulses. We changed his diaper 4 times before our one hour appointment was up (he's a healthy eater). And that is basically what they told us! Louis looks and sounds great and what's important now is his growth. He weighs 8lbs 15oz, probably more now, and he is just over 22in long.[...]

Happy Halloween! 

I've never been really excited about Halloween but last year, I had just gotten laid off from my photography job and had a lot of time on my hands so I made these costumes for Dan and myself to wear to an art gallery opening on Halloween. This year I had the brilliant idea to use them again and add Louis to the mix. It was perfect too because Louis is our little Strong Man! Dan is the Circus Ring Master and I am a giraffe. [...]