Two Weeks Since Surgery

It’s been two weeks since the surgery and we are still here at Texas Children’s Hospital. The recovery is taking a little longer than expected. The last tube has been draining alot of fluids, but has slowed down in the last three days. If the drainage keeps slowing down in the next few days the tube can hopefully be removed by the end of the week. If it doesn’t slow down the doctors have to figure out why it is still draining so much and another heart catheterization will be done. We really hope to avoid this. James is feeling good and his pain has subsided. He is up and moving around several times a day. Yesterday he made slime with the Child Life Specialist and had a really good time.

    

One tube left

James just removed a second tube from his chest and we are waiting for the drainage to slow down in the right tube so it can be removed. Unfortunately this tube started draining more then twice as much in the last few days as it did in the beginning so it looks like it will take a little longer before we can leave the hospital. The tubes are causing him some discomfort, so we are working on managing the pain and trying to control all his fluids. Besides that, James is doing great, he is eating, walking around, and playing lots of x-box and Nintendo Switch. 

Visit from brothers

           

Up and Walking

James got out of bed today and started walking. Everything is moving along and he should be moving out if ICU tomorrow. One chest tube was removed today and hopefully a second tomorrow. Two IV’s were also removed. He is looking alot better already.

Recovery

 

James is awake and is sitting up. They want him to sit up so his fluids will drain through the tubes. He has three drainage tubes and one be will hopefully be removed today. He just needs to be up and walk around a little, but that will be later today. Everything looks good and he is doing as expected. 

 

Surgery Completed

We just spoke to Dr. Heinle and he said the operation went well. Dr. Heinle said the transfer from the heart lung machine went smooth and the breathing tube is removed. He said James Fontan pressure looks good and his oxygen levels are in the 90s’. James is in the ICU and getting situated, can’t wait to go see him. He has done so great! So proud of our little man.

Surgery in progress

 

James surgery has just started. 

They think it will take around 6 hours.

If they have to make adjustments on his 

tricuspid valve (which has a small leak) 

it will take an additional hour or so.