The doctors have decided to do a catheterization procedure on Tuesday. This means that, if all goes well, there will be no surgery until 3-6 months from now. We are, needless to say, very happy and thankful.
The typical way to manage Caleb's heart condition involves three surgeries. The most important one is the last one, called a Fontan operation, which takes place around the time that he is four or five years old. Everything done before that is preparatory to making sure that the Fontan goes perfectly.
It seems that Caleb has a pretty good anatomy that will allow for a stent to be inserted into his ductus to keep it open, allowing for blood flow into his lungs since the right side of his heart does not function. We will not know for sure if this will be possible until they start to do the procedure. Our cardiologist, Dr. Mas, seems to think the ductus may not be straight enough for this. But Dr. Zahn is confident he can do it. If he can't, he will pull out and then Caleb will have to have surgery.
So the prayer request is that the stent procedure will go smoothly. If it does, it's likely that we will be out of the hospital by the end of next week provided that the recovery goes well.
We have had many opportunities to get to know other families going through similar and more difficult situations. Conversations have been good. We have prayed together, eaten chocolate together, and become friends. One of the cardiologists, Dr. Welch, introduced us to Ana, a seven year old girl who has a very similar heart condition to Caleb's. Ana saw me in the hallway last night and asked to see Caleb. Children are so precious.
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