MaryEllen's surgery! Is behind us!!

[mesmom]

Dear all, Thank you for your support concerning MaryEllen's open heart. She is home, and we are so greatful to have this behind us. She had it on Tues. and was sent home on Friday. She had a checkup today, and everything looked beautiful. Thanks be to God. Can anyone tell me how long before they ventured out again following surgery? I have heard different thoughts on this, Thanks again. Diane

[Valerie]

Wonderful news! So glad everything went so smoothly. Isn't it a tremendous relief to have it behind you??

Nicholas was around our family, but we didn't take him out in crowds for 2-3 wks. Not sure if that was necessary, or just us being cautious!

[Emilysmom]

Diane,
WONDERFUL news!!! I'm so glad MaryEllen's surgery is over and she's on the road to recovery.......what an answer to prayer!
Keep us posted on her progress!

Susan

[ALLISA]

Diane,

I am so glad to hear it all went smooth and well ! I was wondering about you !!

I don't recall being overly cautious after the surgery.....I would guess I stayed homebound for a week or two anyways....catching back up with my 2 boys and laundry, etc while we were gone !!

I also recall Erin HATING to be on her tummy for therapies, etc for a couple of months AFTER the surgery......

And to answer a question you MAY have....because I had it, and I see it posted here quite often AFTER surgery is regarding the "bump" on her chest......ME may or may not have one.....Erin did....just a slight protusion that felt very vunerable to me....but docs insitst that it was the way it should be & it would go away ....well here we are at 5 & 1/2 years and it is less noticeable, but still there if you feel for it.

I had also wondered about the "other" scars Erin had...drainage tubes, etc....they do stay....but are very small and very faint.

i'm sure you are so happy to be home.....breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy her now !

Allisa

[dannysmom]

Wonderful news!!! I can't wait to hear how amazingly she progresses!! Phew..big sigh of relief that it is over and you are home safe and sound!!!!

Well we were VERY cautiuos about taking Daniel out after surgery. My husband owns his own business and his office is only 1 mile away so we really are able to time things so I don't have to take him out too much.

We are 7 weeks after surgery and I have only recently began taking him around (resturants, grocery store etc). We have a nice backyard that is fenced in...so I brought him outside alot with my daughter and for walks, but if my husband and I could coordinate one of us staying home..then we did. Thank goodness the weather has been great and we have spend a great deal of time outside.

We were just so fearful that we made it through surgery..we didn't want to take any chances. I feel comfortable now showing him off all around town. He is quite a hit wherever we go. He has a full head of hair, so that catches peoples eye pretty quickly!!

Do what's comfortable, but if you don't have to take her out..then I wouldn't for as long as you can.

Congrats again and can't wait to hear about how she is doing!!

[Ericsmomma]

Great news....so glad everything went well.
As far as going out, whenever you think MaryAllen can handle it. I think I waited a few weeks before I took Eric out after bowel surgery. I would definetly avoid crowds, like malls, grocery stores, etc. only because we are coming up on cold and flu season. And I'm sure she's a beautiful little thing and people may want to touch and hold her....just make sure they (and everyone else) wash their hands. Dolly

[momofrussell]

THAT is GREAT news all went well with the surgery!!!!!!!!!

Hugs!

A.

[marisa]

So happy to hear MaryEllen's surgery went well!!
Laura hasn't had her heart surgery yet and I love to hear all the success stories. She will probably have surgery at age 2 or 3.

Marisa

[Chris]

Wow! That was a fast stay in the hospital. Sarah was in for 10 days after her heart surgery. She was extremely frail so we kept her inside for almost three months. It was also winter and she had a really hard time breathing in the cold air. I am so happy that MaryEllen did so well.

Chris

[Valerie]

Hey, I just wanted to add a comment on the bump on the chest. I'm sure most of the time, it is normal and absolutely nothing to worry about. Nicholas also had one, at the top of his incision site. We asked about it at his one week follow up after surgery,(1st wk of Feb) and were told it would go away.

His was a rather LARGE bump. By April, we took him back and asked about it again. Then we were told that the ends of the top wire in his chest had turned outward and needed to come out. They didn't want to do it that soon after surgery and disrupt the healing process, so the bump stayed!

Anyway, he's going Oct 5th to have it removed. They said simple procedure, small incision and pull the wire out. With an adult, they'd just use a local anesthetic. With him, so he won't get all anxious, etc. they will be using general anesthesia.

Like I said, I'm sure MOST of the time the bump is nothing to worry about. Just thought I'd share our story!

Keep us updated on ME's progress!!!

[donnita]

Congratulations!
I took Cassie out within the first week after she came home, but not out into any large crowds.

donnita