Update 16

The Chest Is Closed!

Thaddeus has had a very good post operative recovery. He has steadily improved and made very good strides. In fact, early today it was decided that the chest would be closed today. The only thing they were waiting for was the surgeon. The surgeon just walked by to tell us that he is done and everything went well. We are now waiting for the rest of the team to clean up so we can see him. The attending physician (we have a different one for the next week) told us this morning that with the chest closed he would be a new baby. What he means is that closing the chest changes a number of things and starts the balancing act all over again. The pressures in his chest will change and the heart will have to compensate. He will also have to get used to different pressures as he tries to breathe. His body has just started to get used to its new cardiac "plumbing" and this is one more step on the way.

In different news, earlier today he came out of his chemical paralysis. We were very excited to see him wiggle first his feet and then the rest of his body. He even opened his eyes. I am not sure how much, if anything, he was "seeing" but his eyes were moving around the room. This was very neat for us after having him being completely unconscious and paralyzed for the past few days.


Obviously Thaddeus will continue to be closely monitored over the weekend. This is a huge change for him and we don't know how he will respond. We pray that he will continue to make strides as he has the past few days. The next big hurdle, as far as I know, is getting the breathing tube out, but that may be a while. Then we can work on teaching him how to eat. This can be a problem for cardiac kids. Apparently it is tough for them to learn to suck, swallow and breathe.

Dede and I would like to thank everyone for all of the prayers. We are touched and flattered. Please keep it up!