Done!

We just got visits from both Dr. G and Dr. M. Surgery is done, E's chest is closed and he is in the ICU. Everything went great! He now has a 16-18mm human valve, but Dr. Moga isn't certain that this will be his last open heart surgery. :( He said it could be, but most likely will not be. We should have another 5-10 years before deciding that and I will take that. 5-10 with no open heart surgeries seems absolutely heavenly.

Elijah's old bovine valve was at the very end of its life, so it is good we are here now. We even have pictures of it (gross and hard to look at, but kinda cool). The valve stretched so much to accommodate his increasing pressures that it was distorted and large. Replacement was most definitely necessary.

We should be able to see him in a little bit, although he will still be on the ventilator. Depending on how he does in the next few hours, he'll either come off the vent tonight or in the morning. I'm praying so hard for him to be well enough to to be extubated tonight because the less time the breathing tube is in his airway, the less severe his croup will be. His post-extubation croup is a concern, so please send that up as a specific prayer!

We have one hurdle behind us and now we will focus on recovery and making our brave boy as comfortable as possible. Thanks again for the prayers!