Home Sweet Home!

Guess who's excited to be home!

We were released directly from the ICU this afternoon. Lucy did so well, we are so proud of our warrior princess. This kiddo is stronger than an ox!

Healthy Heart Club, Update 6

Lucy had a big day yesterday. Her chest tube was removed, arterial line was pulled, pacemaker wires were pulled and sedation was stopped. She woke up a happy, smiling girl. It was so nice to see her beautiful blue eyes again.

We left the ICU and were moved to the Heart Center.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Lucy's blood pressure was really low all night even after receiving dopamine. And in true Lucy fashion, we are back in ICU. Been awake for way too long and we're all in a delirious stupor.

Healthy Heart Club, Update 5

Not many changes today. We started G-tube feedings which she has been tolerating just fine. Trust me, you don't want this girl to go too long without any food in her belly, because if she's anything like her mother (she is), she gets mean as a snake when she's hungry (I'm a dead man).

The main thing today obviously was letting Lucy rest. She slept for 5 hours straight without moving an inch this afternoon. Followed by 3 hours of pure wiggling. It's 10PM now and she's once again fast asleep.

Speaking with the doctors, tomorrow we hope to start taking away some of the toobies that plague our sleeping beauty. On her right hand she has an IV and arterial line, which is boarded and wrapped up. This is referred to as her "clubbing hand", as it works best as a bat. The other hand is covered with a sock secured down with a velcro restraint; child's play for our little Houdini.

She has been doing well on 1 liter of oxygen all day long, which is where she was before surgery. The million dollar question is, will she still require oxygen after she has healed? Time will soon tell.

Healthy Heart Club, Update 4

SHE'S A GRUMPY GIRL DON'T TOUCH HER MOM AND DAD NEED SLEEP SEND HELP

Our little wiggle monster had an okay first night. She was very restless, trying to find that fine line of just the right amount of sedation.

She is on Fentanyl (among many others), a narcotic pain killer, which causes itchy skin, especially in the nose and face. Poor thing will stop at nothing to scratch her nose, which she literally rubbed raw last night with a sock-covered hand.

Should be an interesting sock puppet show today.

Healthy Heart Club, Update 3

Lucy resting peacefully (for now) in her temporary home in ICU. She doesn't plan on staying long so we will skip the decorations this time around.

Lucy is currently on a hefty dose of three sedation meds to keep her from tearing the ICU apart. She's basically one step away from a horse tranquilizer.

She kicked butt today and we couldn't be more proud of her. She's the toughest little soul we know.

Sleeping Beauty

Our gentle giant is asleep for now. We are not responsible for damaged property from this child once the sedation wears off.

Healthy Heart Club, Update 2

Good news, Lucy is off of bypass! Her little ticker is pumping again and they got her chest closed and stitched.

The best news of all, is that she's comfortably breathing on her own on 2 liters of oxygen. We are absolutely thrilled that they were able to pull her breathing tube so quickly after surgery this time.

We are still anxiously waiting to be reunited with our little peanut and can't wait to see her. More updates tonight.

We Heart Lucy

Thanks everyone for the prayers, wishes and warm thoughts for Lucy. We're sending her awesome thoughts for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Healthy Heart Club, Update 1

There are few things as a parent that are as difficult as watching your daughter go through open heart surgery, especially twice. Putting her life literally in the hands of surgeons and doctors is a feeling far beyond overwhelming. Indescribable heartache.

They often say that life isn't fair and for Lucy, that statement rings true. We would give anything in the world to trade places so she never had to feel pain again. She has endured and been through so much already, it breaks our hearts to put her through it again.

Lucy is in surgery now and we are nervously waiting for updates from the rounding nurse. Every time someone walks by, our hearts sink further into our stomachs. It's going to be a long day.

And so begins the second chapter in Lucy's life. A healthy new beginning. For as much love and joy that little bug has in her big heart, she certainly deserves a healthy one.

Come back to us soon, sweet girl.

Heart Surgery II

Our sweet little Lucy undergoes open heart surgery number two tomorrow at 7:30am.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.