Not a Great Day

We started off okay at 4:30 this morning, but we're having some pain now. We were told he couldn't eat after 8:00AM (which of course, is when he got hungry for the first time). They were supossed to take out the drain tube (hence the no eating rule) but Dr. Salazar came in and said that it was blocked (with a blod clot), so he stripped it, which was very painful for Brody. They explained that it created a reverse vaccuum which pinches pretty bad.

As soon as we got him calmed down, another nurse came in to draw blood which upset him all over again and when he cries it makes his chest hurt. The nurses told him he needs to be up and trying to walk around the floor today. We've taken a few steps but it hurts, so we'll try again later.

We did get a little breakfast and Brody was feeling good enough to record a message for his sister, Joey, who we're going to see later.

Hospital Time

Apparently, 4:30AM is the prime time to do some X-rays and weighing...forget that we went to sleep at 12:30 or 1:00. It seems to me that hospital time is a little off. So anyway, we're up! Brody's doing better still. He had some X-rays, some meds and a weighing in. The drain tube is coming out around 10 this morning and then we may try walking a little later.

We got a room!

They've moved Brody to a private room...we're on the 15th floor, room 26. He's doing better and acting more and more like himself every hour. The doctors say he should be here anywhere between 3-6 days. He says he's ready to go home, but he's being a trooper. He's calm and very agreeable. Keep up the prayers-they're working. There is no end to God's Mercy and Kindness. On a side note, please add Harrison to your prayers...he is a 16 yr old boy here who's heart is sudddenly failing and the doctors have no idea why. Please pray that God will provide the doctors with the wisdom to save him.

24 Hrs Later

We can't believe it's only been 24 hrs since he's come out of surgery! (It's been a looooong day) but he's doing so well. Thank the Lord! Charly and Brian took a pic with Brody giving everyone a thumb's up. We're still in ICU but only because they're too full on the 15th floor right now to move us. We'll get down there soon though. We don't really care where we are as long as he's getting better.

Lookin' Good

Brody's looking better and healthier each time we see him. This morning he's been talking more and definitely more lucid. He even gave a couple of half-smiles while we were taking pictures. His catheter has been removed and so have a couple of his IVs. He's also been taken off of the sleep meds and they're weening him off the pain meds as well. He's a strong boy and we're all so proud of him. Please continue to pray for his speedy recovery. We'll update again soon.

Video Proof-First Night in ICU

Here's our boy...

The Big Day

WE MADE IT!!!

Brian and I arrived at Texas Children's Medical Center this morning around 8:30. we got to spend a little time with Brody and then it was time. Charly and Brian walked him back to the prep area and Brody was given something to help him sleep...emotions were running high. Around 11:00 Dr. Salazar, Brody's surgeon, met with us all to let us know a little bit about the procedure and what to expect. Afterwards we all prayed in the consultation room and you could feel God's presence descend...it was amazing.

At about 12:30 we were given an update that things were going well and before we knew it (around 2:00) he was done. Dr. Salazar came back in, said Brody did great, and that there wasn't much to report because all went well. The procedure, he said, was to take part of Brody's pericardium (the sac around his heart) and sew it over the dime-sized hole he had. Things went remarkably well and Thanks be to God.

Brody was moved to ICU, Charly and Brian went up first, and then we were all given a chance to visit. He woke up a few times, groggy and grumpy, hurting some, but the doctor's and nurses took good care of him and gave him some pain meds, so for the most part Brody has slept.