Today we are preparing to move into the Ronald McDonald House in Camden (just over the bridge from Philadelphia) where we will spend the last month of the pregnancy so that the baby will be delivered at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Everything is going perfectly with the pregnancy and James is already 6 pounds.
We are told that he has a hole in his heart, and that is a good thing for the procedure that he'll need to have done. The hole means that he won't be born blue, that the blood pumping through his heart will be oxygenated just enough that he won't need to be rushed immediately into surgery; he'll (hopefully) be able to wait a week.
Then he'll need open heart surgery to transpose the arteries and veins into his heart and his chest will need to stay open for three days for the swelling to go down. He'll stay at the hospital for up to three weeks before we can take him home. Then we'll need to take him back and forth to Philadelphia for weekly and then monthly check ups for the next few years.
We're extremely lucky to be so close. I don't know what we'd do if we weren't just an hour away. There are only three hospitals in the country for this type of procedure.
I know it's not the happiest news in the world, but it could be much worse. We see children and their families on each visit there who have a much longer road ahead of them than we do.
So, for right now, we have to trust that we are in good hands, that we have done all that we could and hope for the best.
Clownalley.net hasn't been a priority for me the last few months, and given the idea that James may arrive as soon as tomorrow or as late as the end of next month, means that it will become even less of a priority in the foreseeable future.
So, if you find that things here get erratic and the blog is updated hourly (while I'm sitting around with little to do) or not at all (because I've got too much to do) please bear with me and we all get through this and get James home safely.
Thanks,
~P
We are told that he has a hole in his heart, and that is a good thing for the procedure that he'll need to have done. The hole means that he won't be born blue, that the blood pumping through his heart will be oxygenated just enough that he won't need to be rushed immediately into surgery; he'll (hopefully) be able to wait a week.
Then he'll need open heart surgery to transpose the arteries and veins into his heart and his chest will need to stay open for three days for the swelling to go down. He'll stay at the hospital for up to three weeks before we can take him home. Then we'll need to take him back and forth to Philadelphia for weekly and then monthly check ups for the next few years.
We're extremely lucky to be so close. I don't know what we'd do if we weren't just an hour away. There are only three hospitals in the country for this type of procedure.
I know it's not the happiest news in the world, but it could be much worse. We see children and their families on each visit there who have a much longer road ahead of them than we do.
So, for right now, we have to trust that we are in good hands, that we have done all that we could and hope for the best.
Clownalley.net hasn't been a priority for me the last few months, and given the idea that James may arrive as soon as tomorrow or as late as the end of next month, means that it will become even less of a priority in the foreseeable future.
So, if you find that things here get erratic and the blog is updated hourly (while I'm sitting around with little to do) or not at all (because I've got too much to do) please bear with me and we all get through this and get James home safely.
Thanks,
~P
12 comments:
Pat,you and your family - Terry, Shane and baby James will be in our prayers and we will light a candle at Mass tomorrow. All the best.
John Peters
well wish u bucket loads no lorry loads of love from x cross the pond n as u said u in good hands and hope it all gos good 4 u .............. take care lots of love bobby/gill/logan.... ps ours dew in dec
obviously, tend to your family and yourself before you worry about the clown community and blog. all the best wishes for as smooth and gentle a process as possible. thinking about you lots!
~marni
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging time.
Miguel Angel Juan.
We're thinking and praying for all of you.
All the best,
Don & Jan Covington
Pat,My family and I will pray for yours its an uphill battle but with your strength an courage you can do it and everything will be fine. god bless Rob Nacu...
Pat, mama and baby James, and Shane and you have our prayers.
Take care of family first, like you always do.
Make sure you get enough rest, too, k?
Love,
Mark and Nini
Our prayers and good thoughts are with you.
Don't worry about the blog, Pat. You've got your priorities straight. If you fall behind on postings, that'll just give us time to catch up on past video postings!
I'm glad you're able to get such good medical care. Best wishes for a safe and speedy delivery!
Sending thoughts and prayers...
Toto
Pat-my thoughts and prayers to Terry, Shane, James and you. Dave
Good Luck Pat and Family!
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