Summary of the Last Few Days at Primary Childrens Hospital

Friday, June 17, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 15)

Snuggled tightly in bed...Dreaming!
Look at the size of those lips!!

Waking up...This kid loves to stretch. It takes him 5 minutes to get it all out!
The wires attached to him are monitoring his oxygen levels, heart rate, and breath.

Tritton had a nice nurse for the night shift, but we felt really nervous, since there was not the need for the 24 hour watch, since he was doing better. But we felt he needed a more watchful eye so neither of us slept well.

We had decided to stay one more night at the Ronald McDonald House and then I would take the morning to clean up the room (you have to do all the cleaning work) while Jess would go to be with Tritt.
It took me most of the morning to clean, do our laundry (since we didn't know how long we would be staying at the hospital with Tritt), and then repack it all. I was glad to have it done when Jess can back to get me. We definitely had a car FULL.

Jess informed me that, that morning after being taken down to x-rays, Tritton threw up everywhere. Not a good sign. And again that afternoon he did it again.
He has got to quite doing that so we can keep food down and go home! Little stinker!
They will probably be sending him home on a medication for his acid reflux.

Tritt had his hearing test in the afternoon. Normally they do this test when they are born, but since we didn't have a "normal" entry to life, he got today.
I was concerned since all of his trauma/surgery and various medications can cause hearing loss. But he PASSED with flying colors! It was a long and quite process, but he was so good and let the gals do what they needed without any fuss. We will have to have his hearing checked again in 3 months just to make sure he is still Ok, since he will still be on some meds and the effects can not show until many months later. So we will cross that bridge when we get there.

He also had speech therapy come and work with him some more on his sucking from a bottle. He is doing well, but tires out quickly. It will just take time for him to build the stamina for it.

We spent the rest of the day with Tritt hanging out in the room. We didn't dare leave his side, but his day-time nurse coaxed us into going out for an early dinner. Which was a needed

break. We actually made dinner plans with Brett and Alena (friends we made while at PCMC-their little boy is 5 days younger than Tritt and he also has heart troubles).
We ended up going to Applebee's and met their other two boys! It was a nice evening, but we were eager to get back.

We slept on the make-shift beds they have at the hospital. We both didn't sleep too well since we could see his oxygen levels drop and rise, which was very haunting to me, but the nurses said that was "normal" and it would even out eventually. WHATEVER! I still worried. So between that monitor and the 3 hour feedings (first trying with the bottle and then the feeding tube) who slept??!!

~~~~~~

Saturday, June 18, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 16)

After the doctors' and attendings' rounds that morning, we were given some terrific news. They proposed that if Tritt's blood work came back good and if he didn't throw up too much today we could possible be heading home tomorrow! Which tomorrow was FATHERS DAY!!
We have never wanted to hear those words so much!
We prayed for a good day...but in all things there is opposition.

When they came to take him blood, most of his veins were not good anymore...since he has been a pin cushion for a month. So they had to draw the blood they needed from the top of his head.
That was so hard to see and hear.
We had to hold him down as they tried to get what they needed. And Tritt was not having it!
He fought the whole time and because of all the struggle on his part, threw up all over...and it was everything he had just ate the 30 or so minutes before!

They eventually got the blood and off they went. We were feeling quite upset at this time since he would have not thrown up had he not been so upset himself. We were coming to the conclusion that it seem that every time he threw up (in some cases) he had just ate and not long after they were working on him. Well I would throw up too!
So needless to say...STRIKE ONE!

The blood work came back a few hours later and his levels were not what they had hoped. So he had to go back on another medication to help level it off.
STRIKE TWO!

No strike three in this game...we were not going home in the morning.
We were quite put down, but we had a feeling it was a long shot.
So we hope for Monday if all goes well....hopefully!

We hung out with Tritt the rest of the day and Jess was good to let me go with Alena shopping to get a break. We had both wanted to go get our husbands something for Father's Day. It was a good break and I needed the "girlfriend support" as well.

~~~~~~~

Sunday, June 19, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 17) FATHER's DAY!

Dad organizing the tubes and wires. This was a constant happening. We are not going to know how to hold him without bling hanging from him... :)

Dr. DAD listening to his heart!
ALL Business!

LEAVE ME ALONE!!
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!

Jess loved to snuggle him. And Tritt loves his daddy's voice.

Poser! Sleeping and posing for a great photo opportunity!!
What a Kid!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY JESSE!
You are a new Daddy!

We woke up this morning, got ready, and went to the LDS sacrament meeting that the PCMC branch. It was a nice meeting and much needed.
When we got back to the room and I Tritt and I gave Jess his Father's Day presents! He loved it as we both made a fuss over him!
We called our families and wished both our Dads Happy Father's Day.
Since the loss of my dad a few years ago, this day had always been hard. But now with the birth of Tritt, I can have a new outlook on the day.

Later that morning, Annie, his attending doctor on the 3rd floor, came with good news. If Tritt had a good day...kept food down and was passed by speech therapy, his blood work leveled out, and if they could order and complete the order of spinning out the fat of my breast milk (since he is on a strict no-fat diet for 6 weeks-due to the accidental cutting of lymphnoids during surgery), then we could go home tomorrow!!

REALLY?
Could we be going home...
Finally...?

The Lord works in awesome wonder!

~~~~~~~

Monday, June 20, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 18) Going Home....? YES WE DID!!

Waking up...and snuggling with Mr. Bear!

During the night Tritt had to be tested to see if his oxygen levels would be Ok for the drive home. So they had us bring in his car seat and they strapped him in it, while he slept.
PASSED!! One down, 3 to go to get home!

That morning, Annie came in and informed us that there was not enough people to spin the milk and that we would have wait until tomorrow. ARG! Our shoulders dropped.
But later that morning she came back with the dietitian and they informed us that even though there was not enough hands on deck...they would get it ready somehow.
Annie pushed her weight around and the dietitian had to comply. WHEW!! THANK YOU!!
Ok, 2 down, 2 to go!

Speech therapy came it to see and saw that he was doing amazing and cleared him to go home!!
3 down, 1 to go!

Blood work came back GREAT! Tritton did it! WE were all going home ... finally!
What a relief....or was it???
There was a lot of work to get down to get us out of there. Paperwork, ordering medications, more paperwork, and the hurry up and wait game.
We had to put the milk on ice (dry ice) so we went and got a cooler with to bring it home.
I was not ready for all the emotions and unknowns to hit me all at once. But I was overwhelmed!

We had to have a feeding pump ordered and brought to us. Then we had to figure out how to work it, since it was a long way home and Tritt would need to eat 3 times before we got home.
At that time, I thought, "Maybe staying here longer isn't so bad...?" But I quickly came to my senses and dug in my heels for the long haul.

Finally around 1:00 that afternoon we were cleared to leave the hospital with all the medications, pumps, bags of hospital goodies, medical instructions, appointments, numbers, and most importantly our little guy!

We made it, but once we walked outside the hospital doors I was freaking out! There was a man smoking outside (in the designated area), but here we are walking out with a new born who just had major heat surgery PLUS major complications, who has never breathed anything else besides clean-filtered hospital air, and here this gentleman was SMOKING!! I nearly died!
It was all I could do to get him in the car and doors locked!
That mother bear bore herself in true form in just seconds of walking out of the hospital.
Had I known that this was just the beginning of what I like to call the "NEW MOM Hibernating Bear syndrome"

GOING HOME!!
In his car seat for the first time!
He was so tiny in it.

First time wearing clothes.
I had taken several outfits! Later it would prove to be a good thing!


After leaving the hospital, we were absolutely famished. We had not eaten anything that morning. And with a long ride ahead of us we decided to grab a bite. Not wanting to I complied, since it was a long trip home.
After we got back in the car (about 2:30pm) we had to figure out Tritts feeding pump and got him feeding as we began to travel home.

Every bump of the car Tritt's arms were flailing all over the place. He was not use to anything like this...it must have been a roller coaster to him.

The car was loaded! There was not much room for us. I sat in the back with Tritton while Jess drove. The ride was going smoothly until we got to about Provo. Then it was a nightmare the rest of the way!

Tritt was not comfortable in his car seat...it was obviously hurting his chest and in addition to that, he was coming off all the high powered pain killers. That morning they gave him a minuet amount to wean him off of it. So we gave him some Tylenol to calm him down. Nope didn't work.
During all of this he pooped every where and we had to stop, change him off the side of the road, and then it was time to feed him again!
In the mean time he is just beside himself bawling!
And we had not even made it to the town of Payson yet!

We got on our way again, just to have him crying constantly (knowing he is in pain), he pooped for the second time, and I finally gave up on keeping him in his car seat.
So I held him most of the way home, while Jess drove the slowest he has ever in his life. And if you know Jesse, slow is not one of his speeding settings, but I believe it is now!

We finally made it home around 8:00 that evening! It took us 6 hours! Where it usually would take around nearly 4. I was so grateful to be home and to walk into the door carrying my handsome baby boy.

Although visitors were a big NO, NO. Jesse's parents came on by to see Tritt.
And before they came, he pulled out his feeding tube! YIKES!!
So since we were trained on how to put it back in we were ok with putting in another, but not before we got a picture of him for the first time, without any tubes or wire attached!

Look NO Bling!

The night was a rough one indeed. I didn't get any sleep.
I worried about him not breathing, since we didn't have the monitor to know what his oxygen levels were or his heart rate. Feedings were every 3 hours and it would take about 1 1/2 to feed, then sleep for another hour if possible, just to wake up and do it again!
That next morning Jesse took one look at me and called my mom to come stay and help with Tritton, since he had to go back to work that morning.
Needless to say it was a rough adjustment to home-life.

But through it all we wouldn't change the experience we have gained as a family and as a couple. We have grown closer to each other and have a better understanding of what truly matters in life. We know the meaning of sorrow and happiness, we lived it everyday while at PCMC. But the Lord places these Earthly challenges to keep us Eternally in check and humble to petition him for his guidance and protection.
I have learned to never give up, never doubt, and never NOT thank my Heavenly Father for the trials and tribulations that are our crosses to bare. For he knows exactly what is necessary for our mortal growth. I honestly didn't think that I could make it through several days, and the thought of loosing Tritton was so hard to think of, but I...WE made it through.
The true power of Faith, Prayers, and Fasting are real...through my Lord Jesus Christ miracles can and do and will happen.
Each time I hold my little boy, I hold a miracle! And for some reason he as well as our family had to deal with this ordeal, but we are stronger and more empathic because of it.
We are a Forever Family...

"The future is as bright as your Faith" -President Thomas S. Monson

Today is the Day!!

The SMILE said it ALL...he knew the good news...before we did!
This was the first sight we saw this morning...see anything different...LESS BLING!!

The NEW ROOM!! 3rd Floor!

Sleepy Boy!

These two pics about are just after Tritton had his first...real bath!!
He didn't quite know what to make of it.. :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 14)
When Jess and I arrived we really didn't have too much hope of leaving the CICU today. But when we saw Tritt's smile we knew it was going to be a good day no matter what. We also discovered that they had taken off his chest tubes (since he DID "drain dry" the night before), art lines and pick lines. We were thrilled!! That had to be good news. They did leave in the monitor on his foot for his oxygen, feeding tube, blood pressure monitor and heart rate monitor. But hey, we can live with that!

We had been there about 30 minutes when the head attending came said that today was the day we were heading up to the 3rd FLOOR!!! WHAT!! I couldn't believe it. :)
It took a while-in fact, most of the morning to get all the paper work and Tritt ready. Around 12:30 we were heading up to the 3rd floor.
I, of course, was very emotional and tears came at will as we strolled up the our new room. But there were happy tears of joy and relief to finally be moving on. We have seen so many come and go, that it has been hard thinking when would it be our turn. Oh! What a blessed day!

We arrived in our new room, meet the nurse, and got settled in. We were told that we could stay with him overnight now if we desired. We were excited to hear this!! We spent the day enjoying the privacy of our room and loving on our little boy. We had hoped to spend the night there, but having to clean your own room and do some laundry at the Ronald McDonald House, we decided we would stay one more night there and get it cleaned up then "move in" with Tritt in his room. It had a bathroom/shower and make shift bed/couch. It was not luxury, but it meant being with our little one 24/7!

We spent the rest of the day meeting new the various nurses/doctors to make a game plan as to where to go from here. Tritt also had his hearing test. Since we couldn't have it done as a newborn, they went ahead and did it today. He passed with flying colors! But they suggested that once we get home and off all medications to go have it done again..since some medications can cause hearing loss. We will cross that bridge when we get there.

Dad helped bathe Tritt and he loved it! Dad did..but Tritt was not quite sure of it all...but he made some cute faces!!
We also were on a feeding schedule..every 6 hours (every other feeding) we would feed him with a bottle..or at least try and get as much as we could in him...then use his feeding tube for the rest. We are only allowed to try and get 20ml for now. He is still trying to figure out how to suck and swallow.

The 3rd Floor is what I call a "half-way-house" for parents...we are learning how to take care of Tritt in all aspects. Feedings, bathing, giving him his medicines, etc. So when it comes time for us to go home we will have an idea as to what to do. It is a little daunting to give him his meds through his feeding tube. Jess just takes over..but I guess I better get the hang of it since I be taking care of him throughout the day when we get home.

Overall, today was a very eventful and exciting, YET exhausting day! But we are so glad to be where we are and making progress!!

Continued Healing. . . :) 3rd Floor In Sight!

"The Cage" the new bed! Wowzer :)

One of his chest tubes-draining the fluid around his lungs from the lymphoids. They also have to suture the tube to his skin to keep it in place. Oh we are going to have many, many scars!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 13)
Last night we received another dreaded phone call during the night saying that after they removed his feeding tube for a trial run of a bottle-he threw up for a while and so they were going to put it back in that morning. Poor kid-his body just can't get use to the different flow of food and on top of that he has acid reflux-which they say is common in heart babies.

When we arrived Wednesday morning we saw that his cozy little bed-was replaced with a much larger, "cage like" bed (at least to me that is what it looked like). He had threw up twice since the feeding tube was put back in, so they were watching him very carefully so he wouldn't choke.

The speech therapist came by to work on his sucking and swallowing, since he had the breathing tube so long he is having to relearn how to do both. He did well-considering yesterday was not the greatest attempt. We were gone when they came yesterday and they decided to see how his does with a bottle anyway. After working with him for about 10 minutes he shut down and wouldn't open up his mouth. So we were hoping today would be better!

We worked with the speech therapists to help Tritt get use to taking a bottle. We would put just a taste of the formula on his binky and let him taste it then work the binky into his mouth. He would somewhat catch on to the whole sucking idea, but not for very long. We eventually introduced the bottle and he began to suck a little more, but got tired very quickly and that's where the feeding tube comes in. The goal is to get 60 ml (2 oz) in him every 3 hours. We start with the bottle feeding and see how much he will take before he tuckers out and/or before 20 minutes are up (they don't want him taking too long to take the full amount since it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 and a half to feed him. And they want enough time in between feedings to allow the food to digest before giving him more) then the rest will be given to him through his feeding tube with the pump. It is a process!!

Dr. Bowles (Nurse Practitioner) made the rounds this evening and mentioned about pulling his chest tubes tomorrow morning if they continue "drain dry" through the night. We are praying for this to happen!! He did also begin the "3rd floor talk" with us. If all goes well then possibly we could go up tomorrow. But he will have to pass his sucking/swallowing test tomorrow, keep food down and not reflux, and have his chest tubes "drain dry".

Tomorrow will tell. . . . Praying for a FANTASTIC night of healing and good eating!

Wimmicks Gray Dots & Gold Stars!

"Battle Wounds"
One nurse said, "He'll have something to show the girls" :) HaHa

Sleeping with my mouth open!

Like Father, Like Son! (Giggle, Giggle)

My Handsome BOYS!!
Oh how I LOVE THEM!!

Perfect Pair!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 12)
I am trying to be little more clever with the titles of each post. If any of you have ever read the childrens book called "You Are Special" (one of my all time favorite books) you will know what I mean when I say that Tritt lost a lot of the "gray dots" or "BLING" today and gain a few "gold stars"

Jesse got up earlier than I did this morning and headed to the hospital, while I hustled and got ready myself. When he returned to pick me up-he reported of what went on in the hour he was gone. I couldn't believe my ears at what all went on in such a short amount of time.

Tritt was able to get off the high flow oxygen and to a much lower dose through his nasal tube (hoping to get off of this by tonight or tomorrow), his pace maker "hook ups" that were wired to his heart and stitched to his skin so they would not move around were pulled out, art line in his left wrist-that also went to his heart was taken out, and his feeding tube was pulled out of his small intestine and put into his stomach. The "gray dots" are falling off due to faith, love, and prayers!

"Gold Stars" - Tritt's blood pressure, that was being monitored by his art line, is now measured with a cuff on his calf muscle or his bicep, heart is now just being monitored by the probes on his chest, and as mentioned above lower flow of oxygen through his nasal tube!!

He had been throwing up-acid reflux-more than they would like, but this is not an uncommon occurrence in babies who have had heart surgery. So they have given him a med to help with that. They are also watching his magnesium, potassium, and electros to see if they need to give him any more. Since he still has his chest tubes that are draining out the fluid from his chest cavities, he looses those components in his body. Once he quits producing fluid they will not have to give him anymore, since his body should be able to regulate it.

He also had a feeding test with a bottle today, but he didn't pass it. He had been sucking on his binky all day long-he would even suck on his breathing tube! But when the speech therapist came to do the test, he was not having it! He just sat there like "too bad dude-I'm NOT doing what you want me to do" So we have to try again tomorrow!
So for now we are mainly waiting on his lymphoids to quit producing fluid and him to quit being so stubborn and suck on the bottle!! What a kid! Sure hope this is not any precursor to how he will act in the future. . . . :)

Another Gold Star-or should I say-BRIGHT STAR in our day, was being able to hold and snuggle with him more! Jess and I both enjoyed this tremendously! He would just snuggle right down into our arms and be so content! We just melt!!

Steps closer to getting out of the CICU and on to the 3rd floor in a private room. We have not been told when, but we are hoping and praying soon!!

"With Celestial sight, trials impossible to change, become possible to ENDURE!"
Elder Russell M. Nelson

Just Breath. . . .

"Look All. . . No Breathing Tube!"

Yeah, that's what my little man looks like!!

Dad putting me to sleep-ZZZZ!
Still with my hands in "Stick'em Up Form"

Awww, In My Arms Again. . . LOVED IT!

Flowers from the "Newby Bunch"
Thank You ALL!

Plant from Bloomington Staff
Thank You!! Love You!

Plant from Eric & Autumn & Girls
Thank You Friends!

LARGE Card from so many! We Love It!!
(Kim this was spectacular-Its DARLING!)

Our little family! "Lots of Love" back to all who are praying, fasting, giving, and sending their thoughts to us at this time. We LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!

Monday, June 13, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 11) & Tritton's "Actual" Due Date
Monday morning Tritton had passed his breathing test and they took out the breathing tube!! WAHOO! He let out a couple of cries and then just laid there content. The nurse and respitory therapist was hoping for a little more active sounds, but not Tritt! After they pulled the tube out of this throat (which made his throat sore and his cries were hoarse anyway) they wiped up all the glue that they use to keep the vent stuck to his face. The nurse was not to careful about it either-hoping to stir him a little into crying some more. . . but it was no use! So they had to give him some high-flow oxygen through a nose tube to remind him to take deeper breaths. They will slowly wean him of this and hopefully get rid of it in a day or two! (What a little stinker :) )

Since Tritton is known to do his "own thing" more often than not, we he did get another IV put into his foot. . . since the one in his hand was too slow. (the flow-since this can mean it is "closing-up") They needed to give him some more blood, due to earlier that morning when the nurse was suctioning out his left chest tube that it had a lot of fluid that was bloody. So out goes one thing, in goes another. But I did find out that he has an o-negative blood type-universal donor!!

Another really terrific event of the day, was getting to hold my little boy-after waiting 11 days to do go again. We couldn't due to the breathing tube and the chest Art Line since it was not stitched in his skin. It was just an amazing feeling to hold my son again. He snuggled right down into my arms and went to sleep. I had a good cry and just loved on him for as along as I could. Oh, how I wished I was home with my little boy! Soon enough. . . . I hope :)

We also got another surprise today. Nikki and Andrew Nelson was up at Primary's with Carter their son for follow up appointments. Nikki and I have become great friends and it was so nice to see familiar faces once again. They had brought up a "care package" from many of our friends from Bloomington & Bloomington Elementary. I am just simply amazed at the outpouring of love and support and generosity that many of you have shown to us. I didn't now know that Jess and I were so loved. Thank you to all for being so kind and considerate of us. We both are at a loss for the right words to say, "Thank You", but truly with every fiber of our souls, we are ever so grateful for all your support. It has made this trial easier to bear and face everyday. THANK YOU-THANK YOU-THANK YOU!! WE LOVE YOU MORE THAN WE COULD EVER EXPRESS!
We wish we could Hug each and everyone of you and tell you Thank You in person-we will eventually!

Through many, we are made stronger and our faith is strengthened! It is very humbling to realize the support and love of many. It opens your eyes to a whole new world and perspective of life. I have been listing ways that Jess and I can give back to these facilities that have also been such a blessing for us. You definitely gain a higher appreciation for those who sacrifice their time, money, talents, and efforts to make our situation a little more bearable.

Again, Thank you to all!! We love you and are strengthened by your simple and yet, immeasurable sacrifices that you have made in our behalf. Hugs and Kisses!! XOXOX

Day of Healing :)

"Looking at His Daddy"

*Being Held by Mom*
I LOVE this Moment!

Sunday, June 12, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 10)
Sundays are usually quiet day on the CICU floor, but a busy visiting day for many at the hospital. We had got ready to go to church this day and hurried off to see Tritton first. He was wide awake and really responsive due to his new medication that they had him on for his sedation and pain. I am so glad they made the switch from the more aggressive kind that made him pretty sedated most of the day. Another reason why they switched it out is because he will need to eventually be weaned of it and this new kind is not so hard to wean him from.

He was so fun to be around and watch move. His little legs go a hundred miles an hour. Running Races! It is also wonderful to look into those precious eyes and see him looking back at you. At times he will look past you and just stare. . . makes you wonder who else is there with us :)

Jess and I attended the hospitals LDS branch that morning for sacrament meeting. It was really a sight to see a lot of parents and their children who are receiving treatment at Primarys there. There was a calming spirit about room. We were fortunate to have some friends (although being at the hospital with their little girl was unfortunate) the Wises, meet up with us at the service. It was great to set by familiar faces and visit afterward with them. They are such a strong and loving couple. So glad we get to associate with such people-Love You!!

During sacrament meeting we sang "Count Your Many Blessings", such an appropriate song to sing. It felt so good to be in such a meeting. It was fast and testimony meeting this week, due to the telethon that went on the week previous. It was a short meeting due to there only being 35 minutes of time total, but welcomed time indeed!

There were just about 10 minutes for he bearing of testimonies, so few were able to do so. I was gaining the courage to get up, when a young man raced to the pulpit. He joked and said that he wanted to take full advantage to bear his testimony in his PJ's-since this would be the only time he would ever get to do so in a sacrament meeting :) We all had a good laugh at this, then he went on to say that he was there with both his little boys and wife. He had with him his I-Pad where he had ready to share with us part of an article that he had come across just the night before. As he began to read I recognized the words immediately! It was the same article "Face the Future with Faith" by Elder Russell M. Nelson, that I had read not just 2 days previous and many times since. He got very emotional reading the same parts that I have mentioned in the previous post. I too became emotional at the non-coincidental way this article was found by him, similar situation of doubting his faith. Jess squeezed my hand and I knew that he too recognized the words.
After the meeting I happen to see this man standing off waiting for his family. I took the time to thank him for sharing the article that he did and shared with him my own experience with finding and reading it. It was a emotional and heart-filled conversation with him. It was nice to see the Lord's work in a different-yet similar-avenue of anothers life. What a confirmation of what I had learned-to see it working in his mans own trial of faith.

Later that day Tritt was given a trial run being off him ventilator, he did well for 45 minutes and then began to take panic breaths, but first time went well. They later gave him another trial and he did better. They would work throughout the night on more trials for longer periods of time and hope for him to be rid of it come Monday.

Tritt also got his "Art line" that was inserted in his bellybutton to his heart-taken out. This allowed us to hold him up underneath his bedding. OH! It was a wonderful moment to get to hold him once again! We were told that once his breathing tube is out then we can hold him fully!! I could not wait!! We had some fun pictures of him while we held him.

This was such a day of healing! Spiritually, Physically, & Emotionally! I had been renewed with faith I never knew existed in me and a comfort hand was with us all day! I felt a peace I had not truly understood until this day! I know everything is going to be alright, yes it will take time, but I am ready to endure it more faithfully!

Hiccups. . . . Post Surgery Days 8 & 9

Wonderful Grandparents!!

Our Handsome Little Man!

Such a Cute Pair!!

My Little Miracle!

Friday, June 10th, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 8)
We have learned by now that Tritton has not done anything "usual" he likes to beat to his own drum. . .and carve a path down an unexpected road at times. I sure hope this is not any insight to future experiences.

This morning he had an x-ray of his stomach/chest area. The doctors were worried about a little fluid that had been accumulating around the left cavity of his chest area, but were going to watch it for a while and see if the body would just absorb it.
He also began to have arrhythmia spells-where his heart would speed up too fast which would cause his blood pressure to rise as well. He has the "hook ups" already attached to him and his heart for the pace maker, if necessary. He was able to out out of the first two spells by himself, but through the night he had 2 more, where the nurse had to turn on the pace maker. It didn't take much for it to slowly come back down, but if he continues to have these arrhythmia spells then they may have to put him on a medication to regulate it for 6 months or more. I was worried about having to deal with this medication, but IF we need it. . . we will take care of it when we cross that bridge.
That evening the goal was to watch the left side of his chest for further fluid, and keep a close on his output of fluid. (they call it negative fluid. . . meaning he is getting rid of more fluid through his urine, than positive fluid where his body is retaining).

Saturday, June 11, 2011 (Post Surgery-Day 9)
After careful watch over night at his chest and flank area, the doctors wanted another x-ray of his left chest cavity that morning. Sure enough the left side had also filled up with fluid from the lymphoids being nicked during surgery.
So as we watched they put in another chest tube on his left side. When they first put it in, due to the amount of fluid and pressure, it sprayed quite a large amount of fluid on the bedside. I was feeling awful! We had just got these tube taken out a few days earlier and now we were set back another week or more due to this issue.

Fortunately, Grandma T and Grandpa n Grandma Leavitt were there to comfort us. It was such a blessing to have them there for us. . . in person! Thank you for your love and support through all of this. WE love you all so very much!!

As the day went on we got confirmation that the blood samples/cultures came back negative for infection, which would have been devastating. Tritt was stopped of his Fentanol (a drug used for sedation and pain killer) and placed on another that will help him be more awake and alert while being comfortable. They also turned down his oxygen a little to begin weaning him of his breathing tube. Later in the evening they will begin to put him on the MCT Diet with 1-2cc every 4 hours and work their way to the pre-spun /"fat free" breast milk, which they are hoping to get to 16-19cc soon.
Saturday night went well-NO ARRHYTHMIA spells!! YAHOO!

Emotions . . . . of the past few days. . .
This week had been one roller coaster twist, turn, loop, stomach loosing, brain busting, loop-d-loop ride! Although we had the support of both our parents here to lean on as well as each other, I was dealing with such a misleading feeling of doubt. I was scared to hope for anything positive, since anytime I did we were hit in the face with another set back. It was like we would take 2 steps forward and 3 back everyday. I can't explain the feeling of lost hope and doubt I was experiencing during this time. I knew it was Satan doing his best to bring me down, but I was letting him. I found myself in such a scary place. I did feel hopeless. . . .

I was able to find some time alone during all of this and while I hit my knees asking for understanding and help, I happened along the May 2011 Conference Edition of the Ensign I just happened to bring on a whim. I felt so guided to open it and turn to the table of contents. As I did I came across a talk given by Elder Russell M. Nelson, titled "Face the Future with Faith."
I turned to it and began to read. . . and read. . . and re-read. It was my Heavenly Father talking to me through this prophetic way of inspiration.

The article taught that we as parents need to teach our children about faith in different means of obedience, but then there were some points made that were so profound to me that I have not forget them, they are embedded in my mind.

" ". . . And remember, God's holy angles are ever on call to help us. The Lord so declared: "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us. "

It continued to say. . ." "Unfailing faith is fortified through prayer. Your heartfelt pleadings are important to Him. Think of the intense and impassioned prayers of the Prophet Joseph Smith during this dreadful days of incarceration in Liberty Jail. The Lord responded by changing the Prophet's perspective. He said, "Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. This promise from the Lord is recorded in section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants: "Your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord. . . . and are recorded with his seal and testament-the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted." "

The most profound statement of the whole talk was a quote from President Monson, he said, "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

I knew, after reading this article, that my prayers and the prayers of so many were not in vain. That these "Hiccups" had a reason for happening and that I had to endure it with faith. As I pondered these words of counsel over the last few hours of the day, I felt more at peace and had a better understanding of what my role was in this trial/lesson we are being taught. I knew that my Heavenly Father KNEW of our situation and was with my sweet boy. I knew of his love for Jess and I and our ability and need to lean on Him.
I later shared this article with Jess and we had a great discussion about the role faith plays in our everyday lives. It is truly one of those things in life you cannot live without. The other side is dark and dreadful, but with faith, truly our future can be bright!
I encourage any of you to read this article and also "The Atonement Covers All Pain" by Elder Kent F. Richardson, pg. 15 of May 2011 Ensign. What a peace both articles brought to my mind, heart, and soul. I couldn't do this without the knowledge of my Heavenly Father and Savior and their Eternal plan for us. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and the power it has over any earthly foe! I love my little family so dearly and Thank You All for your prayers, thoughts, sacrifice, and generosity during this trial of our faith. May the Lord bless you all for your blessed efforts. We Love You!!