Big Red Heart Day

That's what we call it.  Any visit to Children's Hospital is called a "Big Red Heart Day."  Ever since an enormous, red heart was put up at the hospital, it's become a special thing for Camdyn.  We drive over the overpass just off the exit in Madera and she waits for it...that moment when she can spot the giant, red heart across the field.  We promise to drive by it on our way out if her behavior during appointment time is positive, obedient, kind.  A time or two, we've taken her picture in front of it.  It may be nominal, but somehow it's this special thing she looks forward to.  Kind of a lot.

Camdyn after her last routine cardiology visit on March 25th.

This girl has a tender heart that's so big towards her loved ones that it puts that giant red one to shame.  She loves fiercely and has more compassion in a day than I could probably give in a lifetime.  She is so in touch with people's feelings for a 5-yr-old that it blows my mind.  She's intuitive, intelligent, and thinks things through logically.  Not with 5-yr-old logic (well, maybe sometimes), but with surprisingly adult logic.  

"I'm this tall compared to the heart!"

She asked me to tell her the details of surgery day (again).  We've been discussing it already for months.  Months.  She had questions like how long she'd be in the hospital, what the doctors and nurses would do, and if, when they open up her chest again, they'll need to use a knife (her words verbatim).  It's so hard to give her straight answers (we're kind of big on that), but not scare her at the same time. Sometimes the "not knowing enough" can freak a person out.  (Deep breath)..."They'll do whatever they have to do to make your heart healthy, honey," I remember saying.  

Yes, they'll reopen her chest where her scar has marked each of us with the reminder of His goodness and grace.  That part takes 4 or 5 hours before the Fontan procedure can even begin.  Four or five hours.  Her surgeon has to make sure he goes in very carefully not to disturb or injure the veins and arteries that are behind all of that scar tissue that's built up after 5 years.  The actual procedure itself is only an hour or two process, and then with all the activity of stopping the bleeding and closing everything up, it's about 8-10 hours, start to finish.  The day will begin with a 5:30am arrival time, and by about 7:30 or 8, she'll be headed to the OR, after receiving anesthesia (that will prayerfully be much more effective than when she had her cardiac catheterization).  The Fontan should begin around noon or 1pm, and she could be out of the OR anywhere from 4pm - 9pm.  Such a wide window.  We will get a recap with her surgeon once it is finished and a glimpse of her in the hallway before she heads to her room in ICU to get settled before we can be with her.  

That is one long day.  Only two other times have we ever had a day that long...both other surgeries.

Did you know that some surgeons train their bodies to eat only one meal per day?  Naturally, since, you know, they can't just scoot out for a quick lunch break during surgery.  I'm overwhlemingly thankful for her surgeon and the hospital team that takes such wonderful care of my sweet pea.

There's a few big things that we'll be praying about:

1) That her lungs will be strong enough for them to extubate her before leaving the OR.

2) That the fluids will drain from her chest well and not collect.

3) That the anesthesia works really well and her superhuman-fairy strength (aka adrenaline) does not break through at the last minute when I hand her to her nurse.

4) That she not freak out but stays calm upon waking up from surgery (because of everything that will be attached to her).

Big red heart pins, all ready to be worn!

Surgery day (and thereafter), I will be wearing a big red heart over my own heart in her honor (thank you for those, Chelsea!!!).  Will you join us in wearing red and/or hearts for Camdyn on the 11th, and sharing her battle with others for prayer?  If you do, please share your picture on FaceBook and Instagram and tag me.  I'd love to be able to show her how many people love and support her.