Timothy's next surgery this week.
We just wanted to let you all know that Timothy's next surgery is scheduled for this week--Thursday Dec 4, 2008 (see new pictures). On November 19th, he had a heart cath lab where the doctors inserted a camera into his heart to see how things looked so they could make their plan for the surgery. Spencer was a great help on the day of Tim's cath lab on November 19th, 2008. Jeff was in Argentina for a month doing research, but he got home just before Thanksgiving. Spencer drove Kathy and Timothy to the hospital and was a great comfort to Tim and Kathy. One doctor even thought he was the dad. (SCARY!)
This surgery is called the "Fontan," named after the French doctor who came up with the innovation. Based on our understanding, in this surgery the doctors will attach a gortex conduit to the inferior vena cava (the huge vein that brings back used blood from the lower half of the body to the heart) and sew it into the pulmonary artery. This is essentially what they did with the upper vein--superior vena cava--when Timothy was four months old. So after this surgery, all of Timothy's blood will return from the body and go straight to the lungs to get oxygen (thus bypassing the heart). This will allow his only ventricle, the right, to pump oxygenated blood to the body.
Timothy does have a bit of a cough, so there is a chance that the surgery will be postponed because they are wary of operating on sick children. We are planning on posting updates on the day of the surgery and afterwards. They have told us to plan on 10-14 days in the hospital and then 6-8 weeks for recovery at home. We hope to all be home for Christmas. Recovery time varies widely depending on the case. We know one child who came home after five days days after the Fontan. Others, however, have been in much longer.
We ask again for your prayers on Timothy's behalf. We are grateful for all the faith and prayers that have strengthened Timothy and us these past two years.
5 comments:
We will be praying for your family - especially little Timothy!Please let us know how everything goes!!
Kathy, great job on blogging. Keep us updated. We will be praying for him for sure. Already put his name in the temple today when I went with James. Take care of yourselves in all ways possible!
Hi Kathy and fam,
I knew you were getting ready for another "big" surgery. My prayers will be with you. I just know he is going to do great, so, I just hope the rest of you survive! Hang in there, and know people care and love you.
Christy
Kathy, I too will be praying for you and your family. We have a family in our ward with a 1-year-old boy with the same condition. I have talked with her about your amazing little Timothy. His first birthday is actually on Friday and he has never been able to leave his home except for visits to the hospital because they can't risk him getting sick. I hope everything goes well and pray for a speedy recovery.
good luck! timothy is in our thoughts and prayers!
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