Ryder's big day...

Tomorrow is Ryder's Norwood surgery, one of three open heart surgeries he will need to redirect blood flow; the 2nd is usually done at age 4-6 months and the final one at a few years.  In tomorrow's surgery he will go on heart-lung bypass while the surgeon creates a new aorta using a patch and his pulmonary artery (that normally goes to the lung).  Then the atrial septum is removed completely and the Blalock Taussig shut is placed (a piece of tubing allowing blood flow to the lungs).  The stent may be removed but it just depends on how well it is embedded; they might have to leave it for now.

Ryder will get taken to the operating room tomorrow at 7 am and the surgery is scheduled to last about 5 hours.  Thankfully [thus far] we had another quiet day!  Ryder got a blood transfusion and some pre-op labs; we are headed back to the hospital soon so we can spend some time with him, give him some loving and hopefully hold him for a little while...he will be on the ventilator and sedated for the next few days-week so this is our best chance to get cuddles in for a bit...

Obviously this surgery carries a lot of risk, but Ryder's course so far has been nothing short of amazing.  He has surprised all of his doctors and nurses with how well he has done and how peaceful his first week of life has been.  We are praying and hoping that he will keep doing this well.  He has a great surgeon and care team and I am very confident they will do everything they can to keep supporting him.  Ryder's life is such a precious gift and in his short time as a part of our family he has taught us so much - I hope you will pray with us that he makes it through this surgery with flying colors and that he will keep making progress and get to come home with us in a few weeks.  Thank you so much for all of the well-wishes and prayers so far!!! 

Love you so much sweet baby boy!!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1