~ The Closure ~

Timothy was not to eat solid foods or drink milk past 11:30 P.M. the night before surgery. From 11:30 P.M. to 3:30 A.M. he could have clear liquids only. After 3:30 A.M. he could have nothing.

We arrived at "Day Surgery" at 6:30 A.M. We were very stressed & Timothy was hungry. We were given a name tag for each of us that read "Timothy's Mom" & "Timothy's Dad". We sat in a room full of other parents & some children. Some were obviously very worried~ some were crying. Others were as if they were just waiting. After quite some time we were taken into an area where Timothy was given what the annestisis ("Dr. Jumbo") called a "happy drink". We waited for the drug to take affect. There were many other children ranging from infant to pre-teen waiting there. When Timothy began to act "drunk" we shook hands with Dr. Jumbo & Dr. Luppinetti, hugged & told Timothy we loved him. He was smiling & happy as they walked through the doors to OR. Kurt turned to me & said something to the effect of "I just shook the hand of the man that will hold my son's heart" and we both fell apart in each others arms. We composed ourselves & went to the area outside the chappel where we could sit beside a phone & wait. We had been assured they would call us often.

Dr. Lupinetti

Parts of our journal
7:30AM they took him into the OR.
8:30 A.M. First call. They were starting the procedure. Everything was going well. 8:55 A.M. Second call- started bypass/begin repair.
9:45 A.M. Third call- off bypass, repair done- ALL okay!
10:10 A.M. Talked with surgon- said all went well- Timothy had a hole larger than a quarter! About 1 inch.
10:54 A.M. Talked with the Annestises. Said he was happy with the way things went. Going to give "platelets" for bleeding. get to see Timmy in 1/2 hour!
11:30 A.M. Got to see Timmy. It was VERY scary. He looked very swollen and hooked up to *SO* many machines, tubes, wires etc. And he's COLD. They hadn't told me how he'd look, how he'd be cold etc... (my child looked & felt dead & it was a very big shock) We had to leave as the drs. & nurses were busy & we had to compose ourselves. Timothy's blood pressure rose as he heard us cry. A social worker came & talked with us about Timothy being so cold. I felt so much better after understanding. (his temp was lowered to 26 degrees to slowly stop his heart & would be slowly warmed again)
1:00 P.M. Get to see Timmy any time we want except shift change or as a new patient is brought in (the Drs/nurses are going over their case & ALL is confidential)

Timothy a few hours after surgery

MAIL

Timothy's Symptom's Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 I'm Outa here! Day 7 Days following release My scar today! More Photo's Family Album Home