Day Two With His New Heart

Two words. SO TIRED. I am looking forward to getting some real sleep tonight.

Nolan had a pretty good day. We are almost 2 days post op without any major complications. The morning started with Nolan's procedure to close his chest. This was actually done right in the room and everything went well. They removed the cannulas from the VAD and stitched up his chest. It is still so crazy to see the core of his body without the VAD. Throughout the day they have slowly been weaning his sedation and keeping a close eye on his vitals. He has been waking up and pretty angry because of the breathing tube. Through the night they will be weaning the o2 so he begins breathing on his own and first thing in the morning he will be extubated. I can't wait!

I really feel like this is all not real. Looking around his room, seeing posters and balloons for his Heart Day is all so crazy! Thinking back a week ago we were living in a world not knowing what each day will hold...and now, here we are. Every day is one day close to home. We will be home within the next two months! We have a timeline on our lives! And just to make all of this as overwhelming as it is, we have Faith, right next door doing well also. We have been longing for these days for so long. Every hour is one closer that we can see our babies with their eyes open, flashing us those adorable smiles. Nolan will be able to move around and be a 9 month old! Faith will be able to breath normal breaths and gain weight. I can't wait to get through the next day or so because I will know we are on the true road to recovery.

SO...all of this happened at such an amazing time. For awhile now we have been planning a surprise birthday weekend for my dad, who turns 60 on January 28. We invited friends of his from present day to back in the past when we were in the military. Ray and Terry Popp, great friends back when they were in their early 20s surprised my dad, along with Mike Kowalczyk, who's family moved along with us in the military for MANY years. Today others showed up who live in our area, Steve and Betty Uzupis, Fred and Janice Springman, and Billy and Melissa Martens - and my dad didn't know they were coming either. It was great to see everyone last night and today. Tonight they have a party bus and are hopping around to various bar/restaurants in Pittsburgh. Matt joined them in their fun and I am here with our boy and HOPING to get some good sleep. I am so thrilled all of these special people in our life got to be here for this amazing moment. A few of our friends are here too, Ashley and Randy Christ, Shannon Wiza, Matt and Courtney Hatchel...we are surrounded by so many great people this weekend.

I really am having a heck of a time even typing, that is how tired I am. To a FRESH start tomorrow. I will send an update once Nolan is successfully extubated...and I will include a photo :)

THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED PRAYERS!

#nhos
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