Update with Landon

Things are progressing very slowly as we were told they might.    Most of the statistics they are tracking look ok, but a few numbers are slightly lower than normal, which ironically is normal considering what he just went through and the changes his body is adjusting to.  I would post a picture, but right now is hard enough seeing him this way.  Maybe tomorrow or the next day when he is hopefully doing better we will post a picture of him post-op so everyone can see what a warrior this kid is.  He has woken up some and was apparently really mad at one point last night.  They have used sedatives to keep him calm for awhile longer until all of his numbers look better before they remove his breathing tube. 

Will post more later as hopefully his condition improves.  Thanks for your support!

Gary

Seeing Landon post-op

We finally got to get back and see Landon a few hours ago.  I knew it wouldn't be easy to see him that way and boy was I right. I didn't even count the wires and stuff that he's hooked up to (now that I've been away from work for a few weeks, I don't think I can count that high).  He was a little blue, which they said is normal, but his face looks peaceful, which is reassuring.  I know he's sedated and on enough meds that he can't feel anything, but it's hard to imagine that he could be comfortable with all the stuff attached to him. 

It sounds like they will gradually start to take him off some of his meds as he makes progress, but it's all on his timing and following his cues. I (Allison) hear he opened his eyes for a few seconds but I haven't seen it for myself yet. We just love him so much and we know that God loves him even more. God has truly sustained us through this day and we know he will continue to give us the strength for each day.

Thank you all so much for your messages, prayers and support today. It has been so encouraging that there are so many people praying for him in so many places! We know of people praying on at least 3 continents!  We'll continue to post recovery updates and try to update the current prayer requests often.

Finished - Everything Went Well... So Far

Everything went well with the surgery. No major surprises. They had a little difficulty with the various IVs, but nothing out of the norm for such a small little guy. His SATs are doing well right now and we will go back and see him soon. There is no timetable on when he will wake up. It could be today or it could be tomorrow. Now the recovery process begins and hopefully no major complications come up as we go. These are pretty major surgeries, especially for such a small guy, and complications are not too far out of the norm.

All of the grandparents are here with us in the waiting room. Landon got to meet his grandparents (Gary's parents) 20 minutes before the surgery. They drove 19 hours from Michigan over the last day and a half and got here 20 minutes before the surgery and got to meet him! More to come later, but both momma and daddy are feeling some relief. It is going to be hard to see him all outta sorts, but we just want to see him now!

Finishing up

We got word that they are closing him up and that things went well.  We should see the dr in about 30 minutes to get a report. At that time they'll also take him back to the cicu (cardiac intensive care unit) and we should be able to see him about an hour after that.

Thanks for all your encouraging messages and posts and prayers!

Surgery Update

We just got an update on the surgery and things are going well so far. There was an extra component of the surgery they needed to do which we knew about as of this morning, and that part is done and they are part of the way done with putting in the shunt. There are so many details that may not make much sense but the important thing is that things are going well.

We're not sure how much longer it will be, but we expect to continue to get hourly updates.

Back to Surgery

They took Landon back at about 11am. They are working on getting some IVs in and then they'll start the surgery, which they've told us will be about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. He did very well this morning- sleeping ever since we got here at about 8:15. We just got an update that they've done a few of the lines and have one more before they start surgery. We'll get updates as things so along during the surgery.

They pulled him off feeding by mouth early this morning and since then he's been on an IV to give him some nourishment. We both got some really good cuddle time with him this morning and Grandma and Grandpa Walenga made it in (they were driving from Michigan) in time to meet their grandson before he went back. Please pray for the decision making of the surgical team and that the surgery would go on without complications. Gary and I are holding up ok, but it was really hard to send him back to surgery. Thanks for your prayers. We'll post updates as we get them.

Landon Needs Your Prayers - Surgery Scheduled for this Morning

Things are moving really fast, which I guess we are thankful for but the doctors have already looked at him today and determined that he needs the surgery (BT Shunt) today. They don't want to wait any longer because they know he is still in good shape and they don't want him to turn south quickly. He has been on more oxygen over the past day, but was still continuing to have good enough SATs.

Dr. Jaggers will be performing the surgery. Please pray that God steadies his hand through this procedure. While our initial reaction is out of fairness and why this has to happen to him when he is barely a week old we know that God's plan and purpose is far greater than the negative aspects of this situation. Please also pray that Allison and I can be comforted and confident about this procedure and that little Landon can heal quickly and come home with mommy and daddy soon.

I wish I had time to write more... but I will leave you with this thought from God...

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We will post an update once his surgery is finished. Thanks for you continued support and prayers.