Day 2

This day has started out very emotionally...the roller coaster is a harsh one, in one length of a hall way we go from skipping to on our hands and knees crying...

First thing this morning we met with Dr King who changed some meds for Hunter and made some adjustments...we discussed strategy and scheduled a visit from the surgeon later.

We had family visitation day; Auntie Ashley (happy B-day by the way), Grampa, Nona, Gigi, G'Pa, Kiki and Papa...and the anticipated BIG SIS! Stella came to meet Hunter. Megan was in the NICU when I brought Stella in...she was very shy as Megan held Hunter (tubes entact, but they didn't scare her). She wanted to touch him and she kissed his forehead...it was cute. Hunter gave Stella a lollipop and a Mr. Potato Head so that was that...it was cute to see them together...but hard to think that we won't be a "normal" family for quite some time.

After all of the guests were gone and I, Justin, ran home to shower and re-supply we met with our surgeon Dr. John (he is large man, with even larger Armenian last name). Dr John is very calming and re-assuring but explained the incredible process it will take in a 4-8 surgery that he will perform tomorrow. Oh, we decided to do the whole enchilada tomorrow and fix everything in one shot (God Willing). It was hard when Dr. John left, I melted and Megan held it together...Megan had been holding Hunter on her chest for an hour or so and was feeling at Peace. When I took him onto my chest after having heard what they were not only going to do to him but what his recovery would look like I cried like a little kid, while holding my little kid...I don't think we realized how Stella has taught us to love a child, and how fast we'd fall in love with this one...

The roller coaster hasn't stopped it has only taken a whole new path...we have some idea of what to expect tomorrow; Hunter will be in recovering with an open breast bone as his heart will swell due to surgery and they leave it open until it subsides (3-5 days), he will be swollen and puffed up, have drain lines, feeding and oxygen tubes...he will be medicated to the point of paralysis to keep him from moving etc...it will be traumatic to say the least. BUT we are happy that GOD WILLING this may be the only surgery...but chances are he will need others down the road, but those are chances not certainty...

Now we sit and wait...we'll go and spend some time tonight with him and then meet him at 5am to send him off and wish him well for his 7:30 start time...that's the hardest thing we can imagine doing in our young lives as parents. I would wish this on no one, but there have been many before us who have gotten through it. This to shall pass.