The pacemaker

On Friday, Bridger's heart was having trouble sensing the external pacemaker which caused his heart rate and blood pressure to drop dangerously low. So yesterday morning his doctors decided that he needed a permanent pacemaker placed and that it needed to be soon in order to avoid further complications. At 8:45 this morning they took our little man back to surgery for what will hopefully be the last time for quite a while.

-----Staci

One week

Bridger had his mitral valve replaced one week ago today! Yesterday they removed the central line in his neck as well as his breathing tube. He is on high flow oxygen now and so far he is maintaining. The atrium and ventricle in his heart are still not communicating, so right now he is still on the external pacemaker. After all of this my beautiful boy still gives me sweet smiles and even giggles, he is a such a good sport. They will give his heart another week to see if it will start communicating before they look to further intervention, so we will see.

-------Staci

Recovery

Bridger had an echo on his heart yesterday that showed decreased function. The different parts of his heart are still not communicating well with each other, so he is still on the pacemaker. The doctors are hoping that this is just part of the recovery phase for him, saying that most people would still be recovering from one heart surgery after 6 months and he has had three heart surgeries in that time. So we are just going to take it slow and hopefully with time things will improve.

-------Staci

Just a little side note

Before we came into the hospital in November, I had begun to write all of our thank you cards for the many gifts Bridger has received from all of you. I was able to send some of them out, but not all. So I am hoping that everyone may see this and know that we do appreciate all of the gifts, the cards, the prayers and good thoughts you have sent our way. I had hoped to finish our cards when things settled down, but that may be a while. So again thank you FOR EVERYTHING!

Staci---

He made it through the night!

Well after a couple of hiccups last night, Bridger made it through. So the plan for today is just to keep quiet and give him time to rest. They have had to paralyze him again, he just overpowers his sedation and tries to move too much for his body to handle. So for now we just wait, as always Bridger will tell us when he is ready for change.

----------Staci

Done with Surgery

Bridger's surgery is over and it's considered a success. The surgeon said it went well. The new valve is in place and seems to be working as it should. The doctors are watching a few surgery related issues at this time, but they aren't supposed to be serious. Danny and Staci were going to be able to see him at about 3:30 today but I haven't heard anything since. Staci wasn't sure if they closed up his chest after surgery because they didn't say anything about it. We'll just wait to see.

Danny and Staci were in good spirits as were the doctors. We will still pray for Bridger to make a speedy recovery from this latest surgery and that he won't be in too much pain. What a trooper! Everyone loves you Bridger...even people who don't know you or your parents. The community is rooting for you. Keep up the good work!

Leisa

Surgery Scheduled

Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. It will probably take most of the day. Please, no visitors...just Danny and Staci will be waiting. We pray that all goes as planned. We pray that Bridger will thrive and grow and become a rambunctious, hyper, loud dirty and naughty little boy just like the rest of the Smith boys!

We love you Dan and Stac. Everyone is praying for Bridger because we love him even more.

Leisa