Our Peanut is Doing Well

Clare is in her cath now and so far so good. She was first case today, which meant a super-early morning for everyone, but also meant that Clare did not have to wait long sans food before being taken in.

Yesterday was a busy pre-op day with all the usual running around and multiple tests. All this hospital stuff has forced our children to be fairly easy-going and portable, so both Clare and Simon were good little troopers. (Jamie was at home basking in his hours upon hours of alone time with Auntie Erin - children's museum, slushies, blueberry bubblegum, and a rare treat of a can of Sprite - I wish I got to stay home with Auntie Erin!) The doctors were all very positive about Clare's cath and the outcome of it, which lifted our spirits somewhat. We ended up staying in Boston overnight, so we did not have to endure another hell of a three-hour car ride into the city (a ride which should only, based on miles, take 45 minutes - traffic is another story).

We arrived at the hospital this morning at 6:15am. (Yawn.) Clare was in her glory. I am continually impressed with how well she does sometimes. After a long day, late bed, early morning, and no food, I was a BEAR. (Shawn and I never eat on Clare's cath mornings since she cannot eat - how cruel is that to be chomping down on an egg sandwich while your daughter is starving.) But Clare was having a great time. The hospital lobby was fairly empty, so she walked around everywhere. Our parents arrived, so Clare was even happier surrounded by adoring grandparents. Once she was brought into the cath lab, she was given her "happy cocktail" of ketamine and versed. (I will have to post photos once we are home. Clare was ultra-mellow after her drink and insisted on wearing the hospital johnny, way-too-large latex gloves, and green sunglasses. It was very funny!) Shawn and I said our good-byes to our sleepy girl and handed her over to the anesthesiologist.

We just had our hourly update, and Clare is doing well. She has had some blood pressure drops, which they are controlling with dopamine, and is already receiving one blood transfusion. The cardiologists have started using balloon dilations in her left pulmonary arteries. The nurse reported that "there is a lot to do," so Clare will be at least another couple of hours in the cath lab. Thank you, everyone, for all the prayers. We know Clare is in good hands here at Children's, and even better hands with God.