Visit To The Cardiologist

Today we took Brennan to the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic. We had noticed that he was starting to look more purple, especially when he got mad. His saturation levels dropped from 98 last week to 69/70 today. We were expecting a drop in his saturation levels but not like this. His right ventricle pressure has tripled since leaving the hospital. This causes the blood to flow from his right ventricle through the VSD(hole) and into his Aorta. It's supposed to only go through the Pulmonary and into his lungs. He's only getting fast flowing jets of blood into his Pulmonary right now. Right now he's on oxygen which is helping to get his saturation levels above 80. Something has to be done very soon. It's looking like Brennan will have his surgery very soon, maybe next week. The surgeons and cardiologist will decide if he's big enough to do the total repair, or if they'll just do a temporary fix with a B.T. Shunt. We are hoping they'll do the total repair, a surgery that would have to be done no matter what. Avoiding the shunt would mean 1 surgery right now instead of 2.

The past week with Brennan!

Here are just some pictures of Brennan we have taken in the past week. He has jaundice and so we have had to keep him sleeping in a bed with lights. It is pretty much a suit case. We think he looks cool in it with his Zorro mask on. My sister also had a baby last week a day before we had Brennan. She is so cute and very little. I hope they become good buddies.

We Are Home!

We got home about 9:45 this evening! Brennan keeps doing awesome. Today the cardiologists came again and talked to us. They said his ductus arteriosus had closed yesterday morning and his saturation levels continued to be high. They saw no reason for him to stay at Primary's so they let us go home. In newborns the pulmonary artery relaxes in about 2 weeks so we just have to watch out for cyanosis. So far so good!

As far as visitors go....

As with all newborns, you don't want them to get sick. That's the case even more so with heart kids. We would like to limit visitations as much as possible and if you have any sign of sickness please stay home. We're not trying to be rude, we just want to stay out of the hospital as much as possible...he's going to be there enough already.

Janalee and I are feeling extremely fortunate and blessed right now. So far this has been the best possible outcome. Brennan still has a very serious heart condition that will require an open heart surgical repair, hopefully not for 6 months. We still need all the prayers we can get. And please, pray for all the children and parents continually battling up at Primary's. Paul Cardall, CHD survivor and accomplished musician says it best: "Never, should we live in our own little worlds because other folks need our love, service, and care."

Quick Brennan Update

The move from the PICU went really well. He's actually in his own little room on the children's surgical unit because they are better equipped to monitor heart babies. They took his IV fluids out because he's starting to eat pretty good. We hope we get to go home tonight!

Update on Brennan

Brennan is doing awesome! They took him off the prostaglandin at 2:30 am this morning. He has been doing really well, keeping his saturation levels in the mid to high 90's. His pulse is strong and all other vital signs continue to be great.

We talked to the attending pediatric cardiologist Dr. Sue. After their analysis of Brennan they do not think he will need the B.T. shunt and will not require his repairing open heart surgery for 6 months! This continues to be the best that we could have hoped for!

They are moving him from the PICU to the normal nursery here at Primary's. If he starts eating good(we haven't even attempted to start feeding him yet) then we will get to take him home in a couple days.

As with all heart kids, his conditions could quickly change but he is looking really good. Thank you so much for all your prayers and fasting. We are truly blessed.

Brennan is Here!

Our special guy is finally here! Brennan was born on October 6th, 2009. He weighed in at 7 pounds 9 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Janalee did awesome and was a real trooper. Looking at her now she doesn't even look like she just had a baby.

Brennan is currently doing well. All of his stats are good but as with a lot of heart kids it can quickly change. They've started him on the prostaglandin which will keep a duct open to better circulate blood to his lungs. We won't know if he'll need the shunt until tomorrow.

This is as good as an outcome as we could have hoped for. Brennan came out screaming and bright pink. To be honest I was expecting more of a shade of blue. After he was born they literally passed him through a window into the NICU at the U. Once they made sure he was doing good I got to walk along with him in a cart that is basically a mobile NICU. They transported him to the PICU(pediatric ICU) where he is now comfortably sleeping.

We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for blessing us with this beautiful baby boy. Thank you so much for all the prayers and fasting so far, it really has helped. Check out the cute pics: