Preparing for Iraia's surgery

Well the time is finally upon us for Iraia to have his heart surgery. Most of me wishes we could postpone it forever but he needs it and it is the best option out there!

Here are a few facts so all of you know what is going to happen and how it will help our sweet boy. He is having the 3rd in a series of surgeries to make it so his body can survive with only half a heart. The surgery is called a Fontan. Iraia's blood vessels from the lower half of his body have already been(from a previous surgery) diverted to run directly into his lungs thus decreasing the work his heart has to do. In this upcoming surgery the veins from the upper half of his body will also be diverted. He will also have a shunt put in to help blood flow and decrease pressure in his lungs. There is a lot more to it but that is the basics summed up. He will be put on a heart bypass machine so the surgeons can work on his heart at rest. 

There are risks involved and I am too emotional to discuss them here. If you have specific questions please send me a note. The benefits will be more oxygen getting into his little body which will decrease his blueness and increase his strength. It will also almost eliminate the clubbing of his nails of both his feet and hands.And his heart will not have to work so hard.  There is a possibilities of more surgeries in the future but we will take them when they come.

He will be in the hospital for 2 weeks at a minimum and then home for the rest of his recovery. Here is a link to the visitor guidelines for any who want to see him at the hospital http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/primarychildrens/forpatients/Pages/forvisitors.aspx .He will be in the critical care unit for the first week and so we are asking that only grandparents and us come see him. Anties and Uncles we will keep you up to date as much as possible. Please remember that if you are sick or have been around sickness don't come see him while he is at the hospital. We have skype and would love to visit that way if we need to. Iraia loves his family more than anything and you are a part of his success as much as we are so if you can see him he would love it. 

Lily, Mario and I, along with Mario's parents, will be staying in our trailer up at the hospital for his stay. Only one parent can sleep in Iraia's room so the other will be close by if needed. 

This is an emotional time for us and we are so grateful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort us and remind us of the Plan of Salvation. Mario and I know that this life is temporary but that as a family will will be together forever. Iraia and Lily have brought us so much joy and peace and we know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us.

I will be posting pictures and more news as I have it. His surgery is scheduled for January 17th and we hope He will be in your prayers. 

Love, Meg