surgery update #2

Carson is holding his own so far. We got news again of successful use of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) (heart and lung bypass). We also heard the first incision has been made. The rest is just waiting and praying, because there is extensive blood vessel and nerve dissection.

Posted by Sarah

surgery update #1

Sarah just called me a few minutes ago. I am hoping I get this correct. They were able to secure a central line and also were able to get Carson onto a 'heart/lung' machine (I believe this is what she said) - life support - that he will need to be on during the surgery. They were successful in doing this so this is HUGE. Had they not been able to successfully accomplish this it would not be good at all.

We so appreciate your continued prayers and we will pass on updates as we hear. Please feel free to share the information.

Posted by Alice

update #3 for today

It was supposed to be 11:30 but we are still waiting for the surgeons to come and get him. Liz and Preston were able to spend time with him and Kellen got some brother time. It was precious. The surgery could last into the night.

Posted by Sarah

update #2 for today

Carson will be going to surgery in about 45 minutes. It will be a miracle if he survives!

Please pray for him as he has wiggled his way right into everyone's heart and is such a joy to be around. I will never be the same and he is forever in my heart.

It will be a long surgery.

Posted by Sarah

update #1 for today

Just an additional update on specific prayers to be praying... Carson's breathing has not been as good since 4 am. He is requiring 100% oxygen instead of 50% which he was using. They took a chest x-ray and he looks like he is getting pretty hazy in his lung fields... lots of fluid. We are going to increase his vent settings and see if we can get him better that way. Good news, a little pressure is helping some but if you could add in prayers for his breathing that would be awesome! Love you all

Posted by Sarah

update #2 for today

Okay, in last two hours Carson peed out 10 cc each hour!!! YEAH!!! Celebrating over the little things in life : ) All I can say is it is a rollercoaster with babies in the NICU. Now, the surgeon is wanting another test, he says he can't do it until Monday and then surgery on Tuesday. I really just don't see how Carson can make it that long. And all of us that work in hospitals know, things get bumped... for emergencies. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY in my mind! Working on being a slightly squeaky wheel (but kind at the same time) to get this study completed faster and Carson on his way to recovery. Kellen, by the way, is doing marvelously!!! Getting 10 cc of real formula every 3 hours and doing fantastic on his nasal cannula.

Posted by Sarah

update #1 for today

Here is the situation. They have a wonderful staff of multidisciplinary doctors working on the best way to have a successful surgery and not result in life-threatening loss of blood or injury to nerves. The mass is more extensive than really anyone expected and not something that has really ever been seen before. There is not a lot of precedence so they are all working together to help Carson. As a result, Dr. Yang, the main surgeon is ready to perform surgery. However, several of the cardiologists feel it would be very beneficial to get an angiogram and consider clotting off certain arteries about 1 day before surgery to prevent major blood loss. As a result, they need special catheters to do this procedure and can only do it one day before surgery. It is not optimal to do any of the surgeries on the weekend, so we are left with waiting for Monday for the study an the surgery on Tuesday. Carson has held his own today but continues to struggle a great deal with swelling which results in increased fluid in his lungs, more work for his heart, and skin breakdown. Dr. Yang, Dr. Naguchi (the neonatologist), ENT doctors, plastic surgeons, cardiologists, and other surgeons consulted feel it is best to wait since he has stabilized. They are all keeping a very close eye on how he is doing and Dr. Yang says he is ready to go at any time if he makes a turn for the worse. Each surgeon has come by and talked to us and I am very impressed with their compassion, caring attitudes, and willingness to pitch in. I feel much more confident after talking to them than before when we were not sure why we were waiting.

Kellen is doing AMAZING!!! He is getting 10 ml of formula/breast milk (what Liz has been able to pump) every 3 hours and doing quite well. He is off oxygen and just has a little pressure through a nasal cannula to help him remember to breathe. Actually, they feel by morning he will not have any respiratory support he is doing so well. He also is off antibiotics and no signs of any infections. He opened his eyes and smiled and Mom and Dad today. We also got to put Kellen in Carson's bed with him for about 1 hour today and it was beautiful. I was completely impressed that they both had better oxygen saturations than they had all day when they were together. It was their first sleepover : )

Elizabeth is truly one of the strongest and bravest women I know and I couldn't be anymore proud. She has a huge incision but hasn't complained once and none of the surgeons can believe she is up walking let alone visiting her boys. She amazes me.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Guidance for the surgeons to know when they need to do the surgery, God's skill and wisdom directing them in their procedures and ability to work as a group
2. Peace for Liz and Preston and continued healing
3. LOTS OF PEE from Carson
4. No infections and stable lung/heart function in Carson
5. Ability to make it to Tuesday for Carson
6. For the mass to not die anymore creating toxins circulating in Carson's blood
7. No serious nerve/muscle/brain injury from the surgery
8. MIRACLES

Posted by Sarah