Surgery Day

Today was the big surgery day. Dr. Spray performed an arterial switch open heart surgery to reposition the pulmonary artery and the aorta. They were in the opposite position of where they should be (transposed). When the aorta and the pulmonary artery are in the opposite position, the body receives unoxygenated (blue) blood instead of the oxygenated (red) blood it needs. The lungs receive the red blood rather than the normal blue. The arterial switch surgery moves the two main blood vessels to their proper position.

We got to the hospital at 7 am to spend some time with Lily before her surgery. Her surgery ended up being pushed back because of another case but that just gave us a little more time with her. We met with Dr. Spray prior to the surgery. I felt like all I did that morning was watch the clock with mixed emotions- part of me wanted the time to stand still while the other part of me wanted the surgery to get started. We've prepared and prepared and now it was here. Lee and I were able to walk her down to the OR and saying good bye may have been the single most difficult thing either of us has ever done before. I tried my hardest to be strong but that was just next to impossible. The next several hours seemed to last an eternity. Our nurse, Christine, was wonderful and updated us with every major development. It took an hour of prep work with Dr. Stevens and his anesthesia team to get Lily ready. The arterial switch itself with Dr. Spray took about two hours then another hour to close. We were updated throughout the surgery and met with Dr. Spray post-op. The surgery went well, there were no surprises, the coronary arteries (which are the size of hairs) did not present too much difficulty when they were repositioned, they were able to close her chest (sometimes because of bleeding they leave the chest open for a day or so), and overall things looked good. The next 48 hours are critical and Lily still is not breathing on her own. They hope to take her off the ventilator tomorrow. Lee and I got to see her tonight. Nothing can prepare you for seeing your baby the first time after heart surgery. Lily's machines around her crib had multiplied, life saving medication was being pumped into her body, a chest tube was draining from her chest, and the surgical band aides running down her chest were frightening. She looked so helpless laying there but I have to remember that all of this is there to save her life. I think one of the saddest things for me was seeing two little tears in the corners of her eyes. She definitely has the Devinney tear ducts. Lee and I would have traded places with her in a heart beat but we just have to keep in mind that she will not remember this day even though it's one we'll never forget.

Thank you everyone for keeping Lily in your thoughts and prayers. As I said to Dr. Spray, the words "thank you" just do not seem adequate in this situation. We are eternally grateful that he saved our daughter's life. We feel the same way towards all of you that have been closely following Lily's story and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.