It has been 2 weeks since the day of Kaden's open heart surgery for his AV canal heart defect. I've had a hard time trying to figure out how to write this post. So I've decided to let my brave, strong Kaden tell you the story of his surgery and hospital stay with his pictures:
(Day 1 - Right before they took me back before surgery)
(Day 1 - Right after surgery)
(Day 2)
(Day 3 - The day my chest tube was removed. Owch.)
(Day 3 - Riding around the ICU in a wagon with my sis :) )
(Day 4 - Closeup of my incision.)
(Day 4 - I'm getting ready to go home!)
(Day 4 - Going Home! :) :) :) :) :) )
Since Kaden has been home he's been so energetic. His heart no longer has to do an insane amount of work. He's been throwing balls far, getting into absolutely everything, and standing up on his own! Maybe he'll walk soon now that he has the energy to do so. He's still on his heart medications (enalapril, and lasix). But his cardiologist said he should only be on them for a few months while his heart heals. While he heals we have to scoop him up like a newborn to hold him, instead of picking him up under his arms – which has taken some getting used to, especially trying to get him out of his crib. And we have to keep him home and away from crowds until early September, so that he doesn't risk getting sick at this time. His condition will require lifelong follow up – but pretty soon in the form of only one visit to the cardiologist a year! :)
We are over the moon to have him home, and have the surgery over with. I believe that all those many wonderful prayers from family and friends were the sole reason he has been recovering as quick as he has been. We will be forever grateful for those prayers, and good thoughts, and well wishes.
