Make sure to check the link above for more pictures from the day if you're interested!
So yesterday (Day 2) was the big day where Ashley was able to visit Landen for the first time. The night before, after Ashley fell asleep, I came over to sleep in Landen's room because neither of us could stand him being without us on his first night. He was amazing all night and absolutely the talk of the 8th floor here at the CICU. SO much so that when I woke, I could overhear a flock of nurses at his bed swooning over him....what a blessing that was, and every parent's dream. After taking some pics, it was time to get some breakfast and get back over to Ashley and help here get up and about for the big day.
I would love to say that I was ready to go when I got back to her room, but sleeping (if you can call it that) in the CICU was like sleeping in a hospital surgical unit that never goes to bed....because that's what it was! So I grabbed another hour in Ashley's room and we were up and at it. Of course, Ashley's recovery to walk went so much faster than the girls....I guess she had some added motivation :). So it wasn't long before she was ready to go and just as she was getting out of bed, Landen's nurse called me and said that he was doing well, but the child in the room next to us was just starting a procedure. We needed to wait another hour or two before we could come....so Ashley sat down in disappointment. Considering the situation, she was amazing! But in moments like that, I don't get sad, I get frustrated that there is NOTHING I can do to help her deal with those emotions beyond pray (which is probably the best thing anyone can do anyway I guess).
An hour and a half later, Ashley had her big moment! She was so happy of course to see her son for the first time without being on an operating table. To make this moment even more special, he had been showing signs that he may be hungry so Ashley made the attempt at breastfeeding for the first time with him and he latched immediately!! How cool is that :) (no pics of course, but you can imagine how amazing that moment was). Ashley's milk isn't in completely yet, but he did get the colostrum during feeding and we followed up with some that she pumped prior to that visit and some formula. He continued to feed through the day at semi-regular intervals and is on his way to a strong start to the next steps!
The remainder of the day was a pretty eventful time as well! It was also the families first time seeing him and Ashley after his arrival. The girls couldn't wait to see Mom of course, but also couldn't help ask if they could go see Landen shortly after arriving in Moms room :) They are going to be amazing big sisters, and the next hour proved that! Both girls were so good with him. They were gentle, quiet and calm the entire time. For those who know my girls, they have an abundance of energy so harnessing that energy takes work on their behalf! I was proud to see that not only were they patient with the process, they were both completely appropriate when seeing the other kids as they walked by each room. It was pretty obvious to them (especially Maddie) that this is a pretty amazing place, with a lot of sick kids who could use prayer. Maddie actually stated this and said that she would be praying for all the other kids on this floor when she prayed for Landen at night....what a blessing that was to hear!
As I write this, it is currently the AM of Day 3. Landens Cardiac team has already done there echo today and the results look to be very good! Everything looks to be unchanged regarding the ASD and other valves, but the ASD is still much smaller than we would like. Currently the plan is uncertain, however it is likely that Landen will go into the catheter lab today to undergo a procedure to open the ASD just a bit more ensuring he gets adequate blood flow. Landen's night nurse on Day 1 was amazing, and she draws her patients hearts for fun and to help her understand the complexities of each case. Below is her version of the challenges he faces. I can't explain all of it, but the small hole that you see between the two arteries is the most critical defect/issue at the moment. This is the only thing that keeps pressure from building up in the left atrium. As you can tell, he is still pretty complex (I would compare it to this image) yet God has obviously orchestrated things perfectly so far. Our hope is that he will need minimal procedures moving forward.
With all that said, we are waiting to hear what the next steps are. If the procedure does happen today, likely he will have a central line put in along with potentially being intubated and many other side affects to this process (we will learn more when we need to). This is expected, yet it will mean that spending time with him over the weekend would likely be very different as we may not be able to hold him. Time will tell, but if the past couple days tells me anything, its this. God answers prayers, SO please keep him in your prayers. Keep Ashley in them as well as this could mean the beginning of a tough transition for her (and for me...but I have a box that those emotions will go in, and Ill pull it back out when I need to deal with it). And for me, pray for patience, a supportive and loving heart, along with a peace that God will continue to hold Landen in the palm of His hand as he obviously already is!
We love this little man! And thank you for your continued loving support.
Enjoying the journey one hour at a time :),
George, Ashley, Madison, Lyla and Landen!
I love reading your story and seeing the pictures of his precious self and loving family. He is in God's hands, our loving prayers, and many guardian angels are watching over him too. XO Kathy & Brian
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