Open Heart Surgery

Josie was born with two holes in her heart called Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD's).  We knew that she would require surgery around 3 months of age and it was scheduled for July 8th.  Yesterday we spent all day at the hospital in pre-op appointments with various physicians.  Josie got weighed, had blood drawn, and had her urine tested.  I decided to only photograph the weigh in (you're welcome):

9 lbs 7.7 ounces

Proudly showing off what Daddy likes to call "baby biceps"

Getting a pre-surgery pep talk from the World's Best Dad

We all woke up super early and delivered Josie to the hospital promptly at 6am.  Travis put on scrubs and carried her back to the operating room with the doctors.  He watched them put her to sleep while she held the anesthesiologist's hand (finger).  She is such a sweetie!  Then we joined our families who were kind enough to travel to support Josie during this important day. 

Seven hours later, the surgeon met us and told us that Josie did great.  He said that her two VSD's were very large but he was able to patch them both!  Shortly after being taken off the heart and lung machine, her heart was beating on its own - without the help of a pacemaker.  We then joined our little trooper in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where she was wide awake, albeit, quite stoned from her anesthesia and pain medications. 

Blood, tubes, and glassy eyes notwithstanding, she looked wonderful!  It was a successful day and we are so glad to have our sweet Josie on the road to recovery.  The next step is to do well enough to get off the ventilator.  We'll keep you posted! 

P.S. Thanks to everyone who prayed for Josie.  Your love and support mean so much to our family.