A San Diego Christmas

We have all enjoyed being here in southern California. The weather has been perfect. The kids have been great. The girls have loved playing with their cousins Sammy, Dana and Emma. Both Philip and I have got caughten up on our sleep. Tomorrow we fly home to Utah. We are looking forward to seeing our friends again.

Update! Update!

December has been quite busy. Matt celebrated his 1st birthday on Dec 6th. We were just excited to be out of the hospital. It was fun to see how Matt reacted to having a large piece of cake in front of him. Our friend, Rebecca, feed him a bite size piece of cake. Matt ate the piece calmly. When Rebecca tried to feed him a second piece, he looked up at her with a look that said 'hello, I don't think so'. Matt then picked up the large slice of cake and shoved it into his month with a look of satisfaction.

Lillian promptly became ill with the flu and a high fever that lasted over a week. Marissa has been busier then ever making messes. Our church has brought in yummy meals and had teenage girls come over after school to watch the kids. This break gave me a little sanity. I have taken Matt out on errands only a handful of time. This is difficult for me to stay home all day with out outings. Tonight we are all going out with friends to see the movie Enchanted.

Saturday we will be leaving for San Diego to visit with family and friends for a couple of days. My goal is to get out Christmas cards before next year. Love to you all and Merry Christmas.

Girls are Home

The girls arrived at our house late last night. Nana flew them here and returned this afternoon back to San Diego. We are loving having Lillian and Marissa home. Matt is too. We have seen Matt smile, but his sisters bring out the really big smiles. Tomorrow we will be celebrating Matt's birthday. Tonight Philip and I are going to see Glen Beck. Busy, Busy. Thank you for your thoughts, well wishes and prayers.

We Made It Home!

The caption says it all. The echo cardiogram came back clean. Sometimes it takes 24 hours for the doctors to get back to you with the results. It took the cardiologists, on duty, about 15 minutes to let us know that we were going home today! Matt is on O2 at home and is so happy.

Going Home???

This morning the doctors rounded and Matt has a chance of going home tonight! The possibility rests with the echo cardiogram that should happen at 11 this morning. So fingers crossed.
Matt is still on O2 and doing well. He had a pizza party with his Aunt Kim. Then friends Mark, Rebecca, Sophie and Ike came to keep him company. Ike played peek-a-boo and Rebecca got to hold him.

CT scan

Today is the CT scan. This will determine whether Matt's surgery was successful or not. The CT hopefully will be at 2:30. Matt is on .12 O2. The doctors tried turning it off last night but he started sating in the high 80s. Matt also has only one IV line left in him. He is off all his IV medications so maybe after the CT scan they can pull it. The IV is on his right hand and Matt has a difficult time eating and playing with his hand on a splint. We could be home as soon as tomorrow but it is doubtful.

Life keeps getting good

Well Matt moved up a floor to the surgical floor and one step closer to going home. He is sitting up and playing with toys. Tomorrow he has a perfusion scan that will tell us how well his surgery went. The doctors will be looking for the blood flow too his lungs. Our goal is to be out of here by Matt's birthday on Thursday.

Happy Day

Last night we changed rooms. Our last room was a large private room. It was nice but without a window. So when a child was moved to another floor we asked for their room. It is private room with two large windows. I personally think that natural light plays a part in feeling better.
Matt is having a good day. They are trying to use a regular nasal canal instead of high flow. One more step closer too home. Currently he is sating is 97-98% on 3 litters of O2. The Milronon was turned off this morning (heart medication). The doctors took out his pacer wires. This are little green wires that come out of his abdomen and can be hooked up to a external pace maker if needed. They also took out his art line. This line goes into his wrist and gets a second by second blood pressure. This line is huge and very painful to have in.
Food is back into Matt's diet. He was able to have saltine crakers, apple juice and nurse this morning. Yogurt is on the list for later today if all stays down. Matt is really funny about his food. When he took a nap this morning he would not let go of his crakers (one in each hand). I really couldn't blame hime about holding on to his crackers. Right now, Matt is sitting in bed playing a driving game. A ride in the wagon is also on the list of things to do this afternoon. We have to stay in the ICU but at least it will be a change from his room.

Worn out

Worn Out goes for all of us. Matt has not tolerate going down on his high flow. He looks and acts exhausted all the time and no smiles. So Philip and I are sad and tired too just trying to keep spirits up around Matt. Today we will just be relaxing. X-rays looks clear. They will try to ween Matt down on the high flow.