I know this is a late update, but we've had a busy last few hours. Sorry about the delay! :)
Bradley got wheeled out of surgery about 3:30, and he looked wonderful. When we were able to go back to see him in his room, he still looked great but it was a little weird seeing him just laying there unresponsive. But, after a while, he's begun to respond by shaking and nodding his head in response to our questions. He's trying to talk, but he still has the breathing tube in. They're trying to wean him off the respirator right now in hopes that they can take it out tonight.
He'll be in ICU for 2-3 more days, and then moved to his room on the cardiac floor for another 3-7 days. His stay depends on how well he is responding in his recovery.
We are so grateful and humbled by this experience and by the prayers of the saints. I will post a blog about the emotions of the day and what God is teaching me later. Right now, I'm going to go spend some more time with him.
Thank you Lord for bringing our Bradley back to us. You are good and you are faithful!!
Photo captured by Amanda Barker, Vivitography
April 4, 2011
Procedure Beginning
We just got an update from the nurse. Prep work took longer than what they expected but they're doing the ablation right now. There is a lot of scar tissue from previous surgeries so it's taking longer than they originally thought. He hasn't been put on the heart/lung machine yet, which will take about an hour when that happens. The surgeon will then perform the procedure. I think that's the next step. I will continue to update when we get them. Stay tuned!
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So It Begins...
They just took Bradley back to the operating nurse a few minutes ago (about 7:40am). The OR nurse said that the surgery could take anywhere from 8-12 hours. They will call us in the waiting room about every hour, so I will update on here, and on our Facebook profiles, when we get a call.
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April 3, 2011
Prayer List for Surgery
As Bradley's surgery is very quickly approaching (a little more than 24 hours away), there are some things we would like prayer for, if you feel led to pray for us in this way.
1. A successful surgery with no complications that will improve Bradley's pressure in his heart and lungs
2. Wisdom for the doctors, nurses, and others involved, especially in regards to his pacemaker leads (wires) in his heart
3. An undeniable peace that surpasses all understanding for Bradley, myself, our boys, and our family and friends; freedom from anxiety, fear, and worry - Philippians 4:6-7
4. A speedy recovery - managing pain, physical healing of his body
5. That I receive a supernatural spirit of service for my family during the recovery time (Bradley will not be able to lift more than 3 pounds or drive for 2 months)
6. That our sons, Cade and Blake, may adjust to their time away from us and that they may somehow come to know Jesus through this
7. That above all else, God's will be done in this and through this!!
I just realized that I haven't really specifically posted what is going to be done during this surgery, so if you're interested, this is for free. :) During the surgery, they are going to 1) widen an area of obstruction that is causing the high pressures, 2) do a procedure called an ablation that will help with his atrial flutter, and 3) possibly extract his pacemaker leads or add a second set of leads. It's not likely that they'll have to do much with the leads.
If you would like more information about visitation or anything else, feel free to email me - safer505@gmail.com
Thank you for reading this and for your prayers.
In Him,
Ashley
1. A successful surgery with no complications that will improve Bradley's pressure in his heart and lungs
2. Wisdom for the doctors, nurses, and others involved, especially in regards to his pacemaker leads (wires) in his heart
3. An undeniable peace that surpasses all understanding for Bradley, myself, our boys, and our family and friends; freedom from anxiety, fear, and worry - Philippians 4:6-7
4. A speedy recovery - managing pain, physical healing of his body
5. That I receive a supernatural spirit of service for my family during the recovery time (Bradley will not be able to lift more than 3 pounds or drive for 2 months)
6. That our sons, Cade and Blake, may adjust to their time away from us and that they may somehow come to know Jesus through this
7. That above all else, God's will be done in this and through this!!
I just realized that I haven't really specifically posted what is going to be done during this surgery, so if you're interested, this is for free. :) During the surgery, they are going to 1) widen an area of obstruction that is causing the high pressures, 2) do a procedure called an ablation that will help with his atrial flutter, and 3) possibly extract his pacemaker leads or add a second set of leads. It's not likely that they'll have to do much with the leads.
If you would like more information about visitation or anything else, feel free to email me - safer505@gmail.com
Thank you for reading this and for your prayers.
In Him,
Ashley
March 29, 2011
Surgery Rescheduled
Wednesday night (March 23rd), we got a call from the surgeon saying that he had come down with a fever and his cough had gotten worse and therefore could not do Bradley's surgery the next day. We were disappointed at first, but realized it was for the best. We definitely don't want a sick surgeon performing an 8-10 hour surgery. It's been rescheduled for Monday, April 4th.
While it threw a kink in our plans, God knew the surgery wouldn't be on the 24th, so we're trusting in His timing. Please continue to pray for the surgery and recovery time. I intend to post a detailed prayer request list if you feel led to pray for us in that way. On the day of the surgery and in the days following, I will try my best to update Bradley's condition on here, our Facebook pages, and on Twitter.
Above all, God gets the glory!
In Him,
Ashley
While it threw a kink in our plans, God knew the surgery wouldn't be on the 24th, so we're trusting in His timing. Please continue to pray for the surgery and recovery time. I intend to post a detailed prayer request list if you feel led to pray for us in that way. On the day of the surgery and in the days following, I will try my best to update Bradley's condition on here, our Facebook pages, and on Twitter.
Above all, God gets the glory!
In Him,
Ashley
February 15, 2011
Surgery Date!
We finally have a day for surgery set - March 24th! It's not as early as what we had hoped for, but at least we have a date now. On March 3rd, we'll be meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Forbess, to discuss the surgery and will hopefully have all our questions answered.
If you feel led to pray for us, please pray for the following:
In Him,
Ashley
If you feel led to pray for us, please pray for the following:
- That God will give the surgeons and doctors the wisdom and skill to perform the surgery and care for Bradley.
- That the surgery will be successful in lowering the pressure in his heart and lungs.
- That Bradley recovers well with no complications.
- That above all God be glorified in this.
In Him,
Ashley
February 2, 2011
Bradley's Heart Catheterization Results & Treatment
I know that there have been a lot of people that have been asking for updates on Bradley and his procedure on Monday. I'll try my best to explain it in a way that everyone can understand. (Even I have trouble understanding it all!)
The last time I posted, back in June, his cardiologist was thinking that the blood clots in his lung were causing the pulmonary hypertension. (You can read that post here.) In the time since then, Bradley has been having trouble breathing and some other heart-related symptoms. So, he had a diagnostic heart catheterization on Monday to check out exactly what's going on. We were looking for answers, and praise God, we found them.
Dr. Dimas, a pediatric cardiologist at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, did the catheterization and got precise measurements of pressure in all chambers, veins, and arteries in his heart. She determined that there is a severe obstruction or narrowing in a passageway above the tricuspid valve draining into the right ventricle, which in Bradley's heart, pumps the blood to the body. This is causing a back up and increased pressure in both the right and left atria and the pulmonary artery (a.k.a., pulmonary hypertension). This narrowing (most likely due to a baffle that was put in when he was 11 months old) can only be repaired by open-heart surgery.
While open-heart surgery is not something that gets us excited, it does mean that this problem is fixable, and that gets us very excited. Once the passageway is opened up, his lungs will hopefully heal and reverse any damage that has been done from the pulmonary hypertension. In the long run, this gives him a better chance of only requiring a heart transplant, instead of a heart and lung transplant, which is infinitely more complicated and rare. So, the results we got Monday were the best we were hoping and praying for, even though it means open-heart surgery. We're waiting to hear from the doctors about scheduling it, but I anticipate it will take place within a month or so. Also in the surgery, they will attempt to fix a spot in his heart where his atrial flutter is originating from.
I think I've covered the basics. I tried to keep it short, but I'm sure I've left out something crucial. We have had over 24 hours of information overload, so we're still trying to sort it all out. Thank you to everyone who has lifted us up in prayer the past 2 days, week, month, and longer. The outcome of his procedure could have been much worse, and we praise God that we received the news we did. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as the surgery approaches.
Also, Bradley is having a difficult time recovering from the procedure. It was only expected to be a 3-4 hour cath, but he ended up being on the table and under anesthesia for 9 hours. His body did not handle coming off the anesthesia very well (nausea), and he's still having a lot of tightness in his chest from having to lay flat for that long. Please pray for his remaining recovery. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask one of us. We'll try our best to answer. :)
The Lord is sovereign and in control of our lives. We trust in his plan and know that He is good and does good. We pray that all of you may come to know the comfort and peace that we have experienced during these trials. Love you all.
Blessings,
Ashley
The last time I posted, back in June, his cardiologist was thinking that the blood clots in his lung were causing the pulmonary hypertension. (You can read that post here.) In the time since then, Bradley has been having trouble breathing and some other heart-related symptoms. So, he had a diagnostic heart catheterization on Monday to check out exactly what's going on. We were looking for answers, and praise God, we found them.
Dr. Dimas, a pediatric cardiologist at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, did the catheterization and got precise measurements of pressure in all chambers, veins, and arteries in his heart. She determined that there is a severe obstruction or narrowing in a passageway above the tricuspid valve draining into the right ventricle, which in Bradley's heart, pumps the blood to the body. This is causing a back up and increased pressure in both the right and left atria and the pulmonary artery (a.k.a., pulmonary hypertension). This narrowing (most likely due to a baffle that was put in when he was 11 months old) can only be repaired by open-heart surgery.
While open-heart surgery is not something that gets us excited, it does mean that this problem is fixable, and that gets us very excited. Once the passageway is opened up, his lungs will hopefully heal and reverse any damage that has been done from the pulmonary hypertension. In the long run, this gives him a better chance of only requiring a heart transplant, instead of a heart and lung transplant, which is infinitely more complicated and rare. So, the results we got Monday were the best we were hoping and praying for, even though it means open-heart surgery. We're waiting to hear from the doctors about scheduling it, but I anticipate it will take place within a month or so. Also in the surgery, they will attempt to fix a spot in his heart where his atrial flutter is originating from.
I think I've covered the basics. I tried to keep it short, but I'm sure I've left out something crucial. We have had over 24 hours of information overload, so we're still trying to sort it all out. Thank you to everyone who has lifted us up in prayer the past 2 days, week, month, and longer. The outcome of his procedure could have been much worse, and we praise God that we received the news we did. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as the surgery approaches.
Also, Bradley is having a difficult time recovering from the procedure. It was only expected to be a 3-4 hour cath, but he ended up being on the table and under anesthesia for 9 hours. His body did not handle coming off the anesthesia very well (nausea), and he's still having a lot of tightness in his chest from having to lay flat for that long. Please pray for his remaining recovery. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask one of us. We'll try our best to answer. :)
The Lord is sovereign and in control of our lives. We trust in his plan and know that He is good and does good. We pray that all of you may come to know the comfort and peace that we have experienced during these trials. Love you all.
Blessings,
Ashley
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