So...in true Jaggersian fashion, our surgeon (Dr. Jaggers) just spoke to us and was only partially reassuring.
The surgery is now finished, and Sam is headed to the CICU for recovery. The Glenn portion of the surgery is over and looks pretty good; however, there is one tiny snafu...the vegetation next to his tricuspid valve has gone missing! Where is it? Nobody knows! If it left the heart, that means it went somewhere else in the body; possibilities include the extremities, the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs, or the brain. The brain would be the worst-case scenario. There is some concern that it went there because the oxygen saturation levels on the right side of his head were somewhat low. Now (of course!) that may mean nothing--lots of possible causes.
On the positive side, there are cannulas inserted into the heart to provide suction during the procedure; it is also possible that once the vegetation came loose, the tricuspid weed got sucked up by a cannula. That would be best-case scenario. And bless our friend, Anne, who actually managed to make us laugh by saying, "It sounds like a bad student essay: 'The Machine Ate My Blood Clot!'" You have no idea how close I was to using that as a title for this post.
As far as where we go from here, Sam is now back in his CICU room, and we are not allowed back yet. We hope to see him soon! Only time will show what happened to the rogue vegetation. We are hoping that (for once!) Sam will do what he is supposed to and respond favorably to the surgery.
You'll know more as we do...
Will be hoping and praying that "The Machine Ate {Sam's} Blood Clot" and that it is gone f-o-r-e-v-e-r! Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tammi-! thanks for the updates lots of xoxo's to SAM!
ReplyDeleteI just came home and read your updates. I'm praying it will be the best-case scenario and Sam will be his cheerfull self again soon.
ReplyDelete"The Machine That Ate Sam's Blood Clot" could be a dr. Seuss book ;)
Maybe Sam's trying to get you ready for his toddler and teen years by never doing what he's supposed to do! Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Praying as always.
-Kendall in Oklahoma
Strassers are all thinking of you and rooting for Sam xo
ReplyDeleteI love how much Sam seems to like looking at himself...it is like he knows he's looking at a rock star. Sending prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteI admire you guys for keeping up in an upbeat fashion that perhaps helps alleviate a little all the real stuff that goes on, on the inside, while all these large, meaningful, life-altering things are happening to Sam... Praying for your very best case.
ReplyDeletein all of sam's pics, he looks absolutely adorable, perfect, cute, everything a baby should be; however one thing really stands out: the zest for life in his eyes. this kid's a fighter, fo shizzle!!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the updates and praying for a best case scenario. he's absolutely adorable in the bear hat (well, in any picture).
ReplyDeleteSending prayers and love from Alabama. Keep fighting little Sam! You and your parents are rock stars.
ReplyDeleteI'm also the proud mom of a cardiac baby.