Smiles!

This was a good week for us. Kireta and I were a little apprehensive going into our cardiologist appointment on the ninth. If you've followed our previous post, you'll know that at Logan's last appointment they found some blood flow from Logan's left ventricle (bottom right chamber of the heart) to his right atrium (upper left chamber). Also, his pulmonary stenosis was a bit higher than we would have liked, at 46%.

However, this last visit proved to be very positive! Our cardiologist, Dr. Villavincencio, came into the room to supervise the echo-cardiogram. She was very pleased by the results, as his pulmonary stenosis was down to "ideal" levels at 33%. She explained that a zero level of stenosis would mean total leakage up and down his pulmonary artery, thus getting unwanted backflow into the right ventricle. Conversely, too much stenosis would mean his heart would have to pump to hard to get blood to his lungs. So, again, we're very thankful that his stenosis levels are "ideal."

Logan seems to be happy with the results as well:) Also, Dr. Villavincencio had to look quite hard to even find the blood flow from the left ventricle to the right atrium. She described this leak as "trivial," and that if it remains this size, it will only be something to monitor, and not correct. I asked Dr. Carrie if it would need corrected, would they be able to do so in the cath lab (correction through the femoral artery in the leg), and she replied that at this time, surgical correction would be necessary, but in five years, who knows?

When asked if this blood flow was, in essence, a new hole, or something that was overlooked, the answer is not so clear. Because Logan's VSD patch was very high up between the ventricles, it also happened to be very close to the aorta valve. This is a no-man's land for surgeons, because the potential risk for damaging the aorta is very critical. So Logan's VSD patch was sewn in near perfect, however, a little leakage still occurs because of a small area not sewn up adjacent to the aorta.

So here goes my thoery (best case scenario by the way): The left ventricle is very high pressure. A small hole in the VSD patch would mean that high velocity blood (from the left ventricle) would "spurt" through the VSD patch. Because of it's location, it's possible that the blood spurt would be directed at one of the leaflets of the tricupsid valve (a one way valve from the right atrium to the right ventricle) and thus jettison into the left atrium, explaining the blood leakage. If this theory is correct, then the leak should also be temporary, as the heart will grow around the VSD patch and seal off completely in time. Of course, only time will tell, but we remain optimistic.

Thank you again for your continued support and prayers. Logan is a true testament that prayers work. For those of you in the Denver area, remember Logan's walk for Down syndrome is on Sunday, September 27th. We're looking forward to a great walk, and will update the blog following the walk. That's all for now!

I'M THREE MONTHS OLD!!!

Ok, ok, so it's been awhile since our last post. Sorry to keep everyone waiting, but we've been enjoying our home time with Logan. I can't believe it's already been 2.5 weeks since the surgery. Time flies, but as you can see, our little Logan is doing fantastic! He's become prone to lots of smiles and making cooing noises!

We bought this "bumbo" seat which helps Logan with his head control. As a special feature, it also makes his neck disappear. Tada!!!

On August 30th, Logan was baptised at Parker United Methodist Church. We were able to give everyone an update at church and thank everyone for their prayers.

Logan's Grammie came out for two weeks to help watch over Noah during our stay at the hospital. This helped us out immensely as Noah was able to stay home and feel comfortable with his normal routine. One less thing for us to worry about!

Here's a great shot at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO. Logan's trying to do a jedi mind trick, and Noah's got his serious face on. We look forward to being able to particiapte in more family activities now that Logan has his surgery behind him. Logan's next cardiologist apointment is on the ninth. We remain a little anxious because on one of his post-op echos they found some blood flow from the left ventricle to the right atrium. We really don't have a whole lot of information for everyone as of yet, but we'll find out much more on the 9th. Hopefully, however, this is something we will just have to watch, or else something that can be fixed through the cath lab in the future, but like I said earlier, we should know more on the 9th.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support!

Home Sweet Home!!

Noah loves the wagon rides at Children's

Grandpa's visit

Free from tubes and wires!!

Logan was released to go home today at 10:15AM! Less than a week later, what a little rock star!! This morning he had another x-ray (which looked great) and had the final word from the cardiologist who did the 'rounds' for the day. He said by listening to Logan's heart you never would have guessed he had a heart defect. We are so blessed his surgery was a great success! Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers and concern for our Little Logan.

Ready to go home!

Yay Momma!! We're Outta Here!!

Going Home Soon!!

OUR AWESOME SURGEON DR. MAX MITCHELL!!!

GRAMMIE

GRANDMA AND UNCLE TY

AUNTIE ASH

We received some pretty exciting news from Dr. Mitchell himself this morning. He says Logan looks great and is doing very well and may be released to go home tomorrow!! As long as we feel comfortable, of course. He is only on a whisper of oxygen and taking Tylenol and Lasiks. We have to be sure to care for his incision by cleaning it with soap and water and 'scoop' him up when we lift him. We're ready to take our boy home!!

Moving on Up...to the CPCU!!!

Thursday, 11:55 AM (Day 4). Well I am pleased to announce more good news! In the next hour Logan will be moved up to the ninth floor of the hospital, and upgraded to the CPCU (Cardiac Progressive Care Unit). This is great news!

I am pleased to report that Logan's lungs are doing great, and that he is almost off oxygen completely (he's on just a whisper). This is also great news, as the high-flow oxygen they had him on yesterday mixed a little too much with his formula and he spit up twice yesterday. Logan's normally a great eater, and has never thrown up before, but he hasn't had a problem since yesterday afternoon, so we're on the right track:)

Logan also had most of his tubes removed yesterday! They had pulled one of his drain tubes early yesterday, and they pulled the second one this morning! They also got rid of some sensor tubes, as well as an IV line and an arterial line. What this all boils down to is seeing our baby boy returning to normal and that he is quickly becoming healthy again! (It also makes it MUCH easier to hold him:)

His color looks great, his blood pressure is great, heart rate, oxygen, everything is really positive. As we walk through the CICU we are reminded how extremely lucky we are, because there are many other small children who are having some complications and our hearts break for them. We've met some incredible parents, and realize that Logan is really quite lucky and, of course, special:)

Here's a great shot of how Logan's scar looks. The top gauze is simply to protect his incision from drool and sweat. The bottom two gauze are where they removed the drain tubes. The pink irritation adjacent the incision scar is simply from the tape being removed and will heal within the next day or so.

This morning Pastor Terry stopped by for a quick blessing and prayer over Logan. Logan is certainly a testament that prayers work:) Look at how content and happy he is! The CICU nurses of course love him to death! (By the way, the staff is simply incredible at Children's. We have yet to run into a nurse or doctor that we don't like!) He's only cried a few times in here, and we've noticed his cry seems a bit clearer and not as raspy, although higher pitched.

Logan has gotten back to his normal expressions, including the random smile and smirk! Overall, we're extremely pleased at how well he is recovering, and we look forward to bringing him home soon!

Day 3

Logan right out of surgery. This is with his breathing tubes still in.



8:50 AM. Yesterday was a very progressive day for Little Logan. He's healing impressively well and on his way to making a full recovery! The biggest feat yesterday (by far) was getting his breathing tubes out. He was also able to get his catheter out, also a plus. At one point yesterday afternoon, he went 8 hours without peeing, and they threatened him to reattach a catheter to him, at which point he promptly peed freely.

Logan has also started to eat again. We started him off with some sugar water, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Throughout the night he drank one 2 oz bottle of formula, followed later by a 4 oz bottle. Logan's never really had a problem eating:)
This is our most wonderful cardiac doctor, Dr. Carrie Villavincencio! She has stopped by to check on Logan very frequently, and we're simply amazed at her level of compassion for him.

One area of concern for Logan is that his right entrance to his lung is slightly collapsed. This is not uncommon after surgery, especially with Down syndrome patients. It's typically caused by shallow breathes and not being picked up and handed all about. The drain tubes in the void spaces between his lungs and heart are more than likely causing him to take shallow breaths, to avoid his lungs contacting them and causing irritation. So, in order to counter-balance this, they simply put him on a different cannula of oxygen, providing him with slightly more oxygen. This problem should be go away on its own within 24 hours.

Logan will have one of the drain tubes removed today (both were about to be removed, but he's still got some fluid draining from the right drain tube) and both are expected to be out by tomorrow. Logan will more than likely spend today in the CICU, with hopes of going to the CPCU (the step-down unit) tomorrow.
On a final note, we finally got the opportunity to hold Logan!!! I can't tell you how happy that makes us:) It's really great to have him in your arms, and Logan really seems to have missed it! He's right at home being held! He's got such a great temperament, and really has only cried twice since he's been here. We can't to get him all better and eventually home! Thanks for everyone's healing prayers; Logan is a testament that they work!

Breathing tube out!

9:38 AM. They just pulled Logan's breathing tube out (a process called extubation for all you nerds out there...)! This means he is recovering at an incredible rate! The breathing tube provided positive pressure for his lungs, but it seems our little super-hero continues to beat the odds! Currently they have him on a cannula of oxygen (just a small clear tube that's slightly inserted into his nostrils), but he'll be off of that soon too. Now that the tube is out, Logan will be able to "eat" relatively soon. In two hours he can have clear liquids (we'll give him Pedialite, a baby gatorade so to speak), and in four hours some formula. We personally can't wait to hold our little guy!