So I don't know about you, but there are certain themed blogs I love to follow. While it is sewing and cooking for my SIL, or crafts for my friend; I tend to look at other 'Heart Mom' blogs. When Braden was born I knew of one other person who had a heart baby, but I didn't know them. I had no support system in place, besides a very caring extended family eager to learn everything about how to care for this precious baby.
This week marks the 6th anniversary of Braden's 2nd and final Open Heart Surgery. This surgery was specifically to repair his Mitral Valve that was still leaking even after the first repair. While our first stay at Stanford had been extensive, we were shocked and excited that he healed so quickly the inpatient stay was only four days.
I remember,despite being NPO (no food or water) all night, that he was in such a good mood that morning. Even being a good sport taking pictures in the hotel before we left.
I remember having our final pre op meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Hanley, and being grateful that Braden was in such amazing hands, yet hating that we were back there again.
I remember him walking around the 'day room' where you waited your turn for preop, with his cute diapered buns hanging out of the back of his tiny gown with pink animals on it. I remember him cutting teeth and how it bugged him more than the surgery. I remember that since he was 10 months old, he got an actual tray of food brought to him- it was so cute- it had jars of baby food and a bottle of formula on it. I remember he didn't sleep at all after they extubated him until the afternoon we left. Meaning I didn't sleep at all. I remember him sitting up in his crib in the step down unit two days post op and how cute he looked reading his "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" book and playing with toys. And I thought he was Superman.
And I remember when we brought him to the hotel, my MIL asked if they knew we had him out of the hospital.
So while I am blessed and lucky to have all this behind me. I am so grateful that I can be there for new friends going through Heart Trials for the first time with their precious babies. Some of the blogs I follow are strangers but I still cry with the setbacks and dance with the progress. I think back to the support staff at the hospitals back then and wish I had known a familiar face among the parents there too. Some of the stories I follow are very personal to me, because I grew up with the parents, or went to school with them. And I hope my words of 'wisdom' from everything like "bring slippers with soles in them" to "become friends with the Charge Nurse" help some. Being a HeartMom makes you an honorary MD (Mom Doctor). My friends used to laugh that I needed a white coat for all the medicines, dosages, procedures I knew.
So, it is just amazing to me that this little sick kid started FIRST GRADE today. He is getting so old. He was so excited last night he couldn't fall asleep. And this morning the only concerns he had were over what shoes to wear. He walked inside on his own, no tears, no hesitation. He ate lunch at school for the first time ever, and sat at a table of kids he didn't know. He tried hard to remember the names of the kids in his class. And he only gave me a minor panic attack when he forgot where he was supposed to meet the neighbors after school for pick up. After searching the school, he was still with his teacher and had finally remembered the spot. Whew! I am so proud of him. He is so happy to be back in school. I am enjoying this last week of just Berk time while it lasts. I am set for induction on the 17th - if this little guy doesn't mind his Momma and come sooner.
