The Next Step

We are so thankful to be at this point.

There were so many times we didn't think we'd be here.

So amazing to see all that God has done in just two weeks.

Jude has two heart defects.

We found out about the AV Canal Defect in May.

We found out about the Coarctation of the Aorta the day he was born.

Tonight, I wanted to explain a little more about the Coarctation.

Here is what a typical coarctation looks like:

Jude's heart looks different than the one in this image because he also has the AVCD.  In the top right corner, you can see a narrowing of his aorta.  That narrowing, the coarctation, prevents oxygenated blood from flowing to the lower extremities of his body.  It is fatal without the surgery.  In fact, if they hadn't done the echo to confirm the AVCD immediately after he was born, he would have died without this diagnosis.  So, we're obviously grateful they found it.

When a baby is in utero, there is a ductus in the heart that is used until the baby begins to use his lungs. After birth, it closes. Jude's ductus, however, is being kept open until surgery by something called prostoglandin (PGE). His ductus is acting as a substitute for that part of the aorta until they can get in and fix it.  Hopefully late this week. 

You can learn more about what they'll do to fix it here.  It is a brief explanation with a simple animation that was particularly helpful to us. 

So, that is the next step.  Have I mentioned that we're grateful to be here?  :-)

Tonight's updates: 

• They didn't remove the ventilator today because his blood gases weren't were they wanted them.  Maybe tomorrow. 
• His platelet count was up again.  So grateful for that. 
• His lung is still showing improvement.  The respiratory therapist is doing his "percussion treatment" as I write this.  She pounds his chest lightly hoping to free up all the mucus.
• His kidneys are still taking a beating.  Please pray for increased kidney function and decreased creatnine levels.  

THANK YOU once again

for walking through this with us.

What a blessing you all are to us!

:-)