Man, this is getting pretty rough now..
So yesterday rebecca and i took logan in to get his labwork done. We got home, i went to work, then i got a call from rebecca saying that logan has to go back to the hosp asap.

he is on blood thinners, they prevent his blood from clotting around the mechanical valve. The "level" they want him to be at on his lab results is around 3. Logan is sittin at 1.6.

great. So we get him to the hosp and he is there overnight. Today i go to the host and the nurse says they will probably release him back to us tomorrow. They just finished an echocardiogram (ultrasound on the heart). They said first impression is it looks great. We should get him back tomorrow, however, he will have a port in his leg for a medicine that must be done in shots. The port is basically a flexable closed up IV that we inject into. No problem.

So i head off to work, rebecca is there at the hosp. They found something that concerned them on the echocardiogram so they were going to give him some radioactive stuff in his blood then run a moving xray and look at the valve.

Half of the ******* valve is stuck. It isnt moving. it is stuck SHUT. So they are not too worried at this point, they say they will keep him on meds and see what happens.

one of the head cardiologists starts reviewing the past lab results, EKGs, and ECG's and guess what?

THIS ******* THING HAS BEEN STICK FOR OVER 3 WEEKS AND NOBODY CAUGHT IT.

(before anyone even mentions anything about malpractice that is the last thing on my mind right now and i wont discuss it, i will look into what happens and make my own judgement when my boy is ok)

So, this is either stuck open for 1 of 3 reasons. 1) the valve is faulty, 2) blood cobgealed around it and stopped it, 3) his left ventrical which was expanded due to the prior valves regurugitation has shranked and cause the valve to work improperly.

as for now, he has been moved from the Porgressive Intensive Care Unit and been upgraded to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where he will undergo a rough treatment of medications designed to get rid of any buuildup on the valve. this will take several days to see any results.
On the other hand, the surgeon who did this surgery feels that he will have to go back in and either fix/replace it manually right through logans chest which is almost healed up.

looks like were out of the woods and back into the kettle again.
wish us luck

 

damn Jack...thats gotta be hard as hell...I can't even imagine. you and your crew will be in my thoughts.

 

hell man. everything was looking good, logan was eating up a storm, he looks so healthy,. everything seemed on the up and up, we were finally ready to put this behind us.

now this... i feel like im 100 years old. i about used up my PTO from work, i dont have much time off left at all. i went from 120 hours, now im sitting around 30 hours of pto. not even a full week.

rebecca is just about numb to everything with this news. just as we seem to feel it is ok not to worry, it turns right back around.

this has been pretty rough financially, rebecca has been filling the tank to her saturn about 3 times a week, add that to the stang and honda we are blowing through almost 150 bucks a week on gas alone. that really adds up.

now we just sit and hope that the medicine works, or it is back under the knife and at least another 30 days in the hosp.

this really starts to beat you down. all the fear all the stress is right back again

 

as soon as i get off work in buying some vodka. i need to drink. i know it is the worst thing to do really, but sometimes the worst things make you feel a bit better

 

Hey Jack,

I'm so glad I got to read your post tonight, because you took my mind off my own situation, and got me to realize that I'm not the only one going through a tough time medically right now. I broke a hip and a right arm in a fall at work, and I've been laid up for 4 weeks, and have 3 more to go before I can begin walking again. I pretty much feel guilty right now for thinking and acting so selfishly, as if I am the only one in the whole world, who is having a rough time right now. Thanks for posting, it brought me back to reality.

I hope Logan gets that valve fixed, and he can get back to being a healthy growing boy again, and I hope you and Rebecca find the strength to make it through this ordeal. You'll all be in my prayers tonight, and I'm sure the rest of the guys on the board here will be doing the same. Remember, whatever happens for better or worse, is the will of the Good Lord, and He knows best.

Good Luck and Godspeed!

Andrew

 

THanks mixedbreed! i hope your hip and arm heal quickly. Im sure you know how much i wish life to return to normal. lol...

 

How can there possibly be anything wrong with such a cute little kid?

these pics were taken today..

 

your son will be in our thoughts man. hope he gets better quickly.

 

thx man! appreciate it! life will get back to normal...check your pm's i just sent ya something that i hope helps.

Good Luck mang!

 

i took so long to write that post i didn't see the pics of your little boy...he is a handsome little dude! I got faith he will make it, I can see determination and joy in that boy's eyes!

 

I hope the valve starts working tonight and he comes home to you guys tomorrow.

All the best, more power to you and your family.

 

i feel bad for you man best of luck to ya things will turn around soon i know it.

 

I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old and my gut wrenches everytime I hear bad news about kids. Not sure about your company's rules (tenure, pay, etc)about PTO and FMLA usage but look into FMLA coverage for the time out. Some companies are very supportive in those situations, others stick to the letter of the law.

 

Jack, I hope the little man gets better he looks like a real trooper. we have two oof our own and do know how it feels when any of them get bad sick. We will keep you in our prayers keep your heads up and be strong.

 

Damn slappy. that sucks bro. Don't worry though...I'm sure he will be just fine..

 

Update:

He will need to have the whole heart surgery redone.

now it is a waiting game. the longer they wait the bigger he will get and the better chance he will be ok. However, the longer they wait the bigger risk of the heart valve ceasing to work entirely.

So it is a balance of risk.

However they ARE treating this as an outpatient issue, so we have him back at home.

He looks great, he is getting bigger, smiling, laughing. this doesent seem to be slowing him down in the least.

 

Hey Jack,
Just keep your faith. It will all end up okay, as good things happen to good people. This will make your family stronger, and the love that you share will multiply. Before you know it, everything will be perfect again. Heck, before you know it, he'll be asking for your keys to drive the Stang around town. ;-).

Good luck with the surgery brotha.

 

Jack:

I am really at a loss for words. You are certainly in the middle of a roller-coaster ride. I am feeling sick just thinking of your little boy and hoping and praying for the best.

 

He will be in my family's prayers.

 

hang in there buddy, it's gonna get better...there is way too much positive thoughts and prayers for the little guy in here for it not to get better..so keep your chin up!!!

 

Jack,

I have been a member here for about 3 years, I just never post, but when i read about your problems I just had to.

From someone who has first hand experience with what you are going through, I would tell you to keep the faith. I understand you feeling stress and the need to get away from everything, but you and Rebecca just need to lean on each other and trust that God will take care of the little guy.

No to be a downer or to scare you or anything of that nature, but I have lost 2 children from heart disease (cardiomyophty) totally different that your son. With that said the technology is so further advanced that in the 1980's when my kids passed away. My middle son also has a defibralator and he is now 29 years old and I just thank God he left us one. So he is all my wife and I have left, but God grace has carried us through.

Keep you head up and rest assured that you, Rebecca and your son are in our prayers. I have faith you son will be just fine.

Glen Halbert

 

Thanks for sharing that Glen. Sounds like you not only know what were going through but know it to the worst result possible. Sorry to hear that. Thankyou for your support though we definatly appreciate it.

 

As always man, you and the family are in my prayers.