Cath Lab Update

We’ve been updated twice from a nurse in the cath lab.  Matthew’s procedure is going well. They have inserted the device and are currently waiting to make sure it is firmly in place.  The next call should be for us to talk to our surgeon in one of the consult rooms.  We continue to wait and pray but so far, so good. 

The Cath is On!

Matthew is currently getting his PDA fixed in the heart catheterization lab.  Matthew and I journeyed down to Texas Children’s before dawn and repeated all of the preparation we did 2 weeks ago, and thankfully today our heart surgeon said “We are doing this today.  It’s time.”

I was anxious until seeing our surgeon and his fellow, both of whom give me great confidence that Matthew is in good hands.  During my most anxious moments, I was reminded and comforted by all of our friends and family (and friends and family of our friends and family) who are praying for and thinking about our sweet baby Matthew.  We will update when we know more. Thank you!!

Job Description

Today is the last day of my 9.5 year career at Accenture.  I accepted another job 7 months ago and have been pulling double duty since.  Below is the job description for my (now) only full time job.

1 Matthew Mommy Wanted

Must be
-on call 24 hours a day
-patient and loving
-organized
-willing to make a fool out of self for grins and laughs
-able to sing the ABC song time and time again
-able to understand medical terminology or be willing to research
-able to produce milk and/or cook
-willing to worry several hours a day
-able to drive (to the medical center and back, time and time again)
-agreeable to alternative pay (smiles and love instead of $)
-all of the above for 2 fun-loving pre-schoolers at the same time

My new boss is very cute, but sometimes screams at me in a language I don’t understand.  He's not a great conversationalist.  He also seems to root for my team’s archrival (but that isn’t new to me, most people at my old job did too).  

Though I joke a bit, today I have mixed emotions. My Accenture friends are smart, fun people and I will miss working with them on a daily basis.  When I think about my decision to take the voluntary separation package, I’m confronted with the realization that life is so very different than I planned for and it makes me a bit sad.  But since it is what it is, this change is the best decision, the only decision.  Being mommy to my kids has always been my first priority and Matthew has made that a full time role plus, plus and plus. This change will make life less complicated which will be a big relief after the months and months of things that have made life more complicated.

Tomorrow I’ll celebrate my first day of having only the one job (mommy) by taking my boss (Matthew) to Texas Children’s for his heart catheterization to fix his PDA.  We pray that he’s well enough to undergo the procedure and it goes exactly as planned.  I will update the blog as we get updates tomorrow.  We appreciate the continued prayers and positive thoughts for our sweet baby Matthew!

Countdown to Thursday

Thursday can’t come soon enough.  Physically, Matthew has been better.  He still has a little congestion, his breathing is a bit labored, and his coloring is off again.  Oh, and for the last week plus, he has thrown up at least once a day.  Each night has gotten progressively worse, where last night he spent the majority of the night moaning/crying.  Not fun.

 There are too many variables to be able to say what is going on--is it the heart issue, the meds (if yes, which one of the 6!), his head, his kidney, an unknown something?!?!  After Thursday, we will be able to eliminate some variables.  His heart will be fixed and he’ll be off 3 of the meds and hopefully all of these symptoms will disappear.  Only 3 more days!!

Exiled

Jackson has been quarantined away from Matthew and spent Friday night, Saturday all day/night, and this morning in exile.  While he was lovingly cared for at his Grandma & Grandpa’s , and even though he’s still ill, we thought Jackson should come home.   

So, Matthew and I packed our bags and came to my folks’ house.  (Thank you, Mom!!)  Matthew and I will stay in exile until either (a) the Hoy House is fever free for at least 24 hours or (b) the heart catheterization on Thursday.  We miss being a family unit and aren’t huge fans of having to tag-team parent, but Matthew’s health trumps our wants and desires.  Only 4 more days until the cath! 

Poor Jackson

Darren must have been right when he thought Jackson had a fever Thursday night because he had one yesterday when he returned from school.  After 20 minutes of trying to decide how to quarantine Jackson from Matthew, Darren called his mom.  Although we feel unbelievably guilty shipping our sick son to his grandparents house, we just can’t risk Matthew catching any new ailment this close to the PDA procedure.  We know Jackson is well cared for at Darren’s folks’ house and will have a great time despite feeling yucky.  (A million thank yous to Joy and Larry!)

We hope that Jackson has the same ailment the rest of us already had/have or it is something non-contagious (like an ear infection).  We know that kids get sick, and it is all part of being parents to 3 little kids, but right now the risks of exposure for Matthew are dire.  Matthew needs his heart fixed…soon. 

I think I’m going to stop praying that things get less complicated and just pray things don’t get any more complicated.  We are acutely aware that things could be worse, much worse.  We are thankful for all we have and where we are today! 

Germaphobia

I’ve always been a bit of a borderline germaphobe.  I remember realizing that I wasn’t a good example for my kids when I found myself yelling at them to not touch anything in public bathrooms.  “Hold your own hands and don’t touch ANYTHING!”  Not wanting to give my kids my psychological issues (at least not this particular one), I’ve tried to tone it down the last couple of years to varying degrees of success. 

With Matthew’s ailments and upcoming surgeries, I think I’m losing the germaphobe battle.  I’m ready to put Matthew in a bubble.  We are an affectionate family and now everyone is relegated to blowing him kisses.  No touching Matthew.  Antibacterial (in the diaper bag, the car, the bathrooms, my pocket, etc.) must be applied before getting near Matthew.  I wipe down anything that goes near Matthew.  I worry about going out because I don’t want either airborne germs or anyone touching Matthew.  Whew…I’ve become a full fledged germaphobe.

Before the last scheduled cath, Matthew was on house arrest and that didn’t do us any good.  Unfortunately, we don’t have to leave our house to be exposed to crud.  We think Alyssa brought in the last, long lasting ailment.  And Darren thought Jackson felt warm last night.  Oh no!  I contemplated packing up Matthew and heading to my folks house but this morning Jackson was just fine so Matthew and I will stay put (for now).

We had a pediatrician’s appointment today in preparation for next week’s heart catheterization.  The doctor today understood the need for my germaphobia.  We were whisked into an exam room instead of waiting in the waiting room, and we left out the back way.  Our pediatrician has come down with the yucks as well.  I shivered when I saw/heard him but felt a little better when he put on a mask before coming into the exam room and when he applied antibacterial twice during the exam. 

I’m thankful the anesthesiologist recommended this appointment, as Matthew does have a double ear infection which we can now treat in advance of the cath instead of finding it the day of the cath and having to postpone.  Add antibiotic to the long list of daily meds.  Monday we’ll add steroids as well, to help strengthen Matthew’s lungs. 

For the next 6 days I’m going to try to manage my over the top germaphobia and pray that Matthew gets/stays healthy enough for the procedure.  We are so thankful for the love, support, prayers and well wishes of our family and friends.  Thank you!