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

Another surgery

Well our doctors and surgeons met today and discussed Bridger's case and decided that yes he does need his mitral valve replaced and it needs to happen this week. So either tommorrow or Friday Bridger will go to surgery again. I will try to keep everyone posted on how he does. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you!

---------Staci

The waiting game

Well we are still here at Primary Children's, the plan for now is still to wait for all of the cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to meet and discuss Bridger's case. He got a blood transfusion yesterday, which always seems to help a bit. So for now we are just hanging out waiting. As for our little heart transplant friend- Ben, he is doing great, gaining weight and getting ready to go home. Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers you have given us as well as Ben, I truly believe that is part of why he and Bridger are still alive and in our arms. We love you!

-----Staci

Well we are back

Yesterday we came to the ER again because Bridger was having increasing difficulty in his breathing. Due to the echo results the day before, he was readmitted to the PICU. Last I heard we are just going to try and hold steady and then our cardiologist will present Bridger's case at the cath conference on Wednesday. I will let you all know of any changes from here, otherwise we will post again soon.

-------Staci

More Changes Ahead

Sorry it has been so long, we have been kind of busy. We had two more trips to the emergency room since I last posted and today Bridger was seen by his cardiologist. He had another echo that showed that his heart function is declining again. So we go back for another echo and some other tests in a week and a half and if there continues to be decreased function they will schedule Bridger for a replacement of his mitral valve. Hopefully we can just hang tight until then with no more trips to the ER, but you just never know. I will try to post more frequently to keep everyone updated. Also Bridger is now 7kg! ( a little over 15 pounds) which is pretty good size for a 5 month old heart baby- so we have some size going in our favor. Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers, and if you don't mind please keep them coming! We love you!

-------------Staci

Back to the ER!

Well we had a scare this morning. Bridger seemed to be struggling with his breathing, had an increased temperature, and was unable to sleep or rest except when he exhausted himself (for those of you who don't know, this is a replay of what happened on Nov. 30) so we went back to the ER at Primary's and they did the whole work-up. At first they thought we would be checking back into the PICU and probably be preparing for his next heart surgery, but once they got his fever under control everything else began to improve. So after six hours up there, we were able to come back home. We will see Bridger's cardiologist next week to make sure everything is still okay. Thank heaven we were able to come home, I don't think any of us were ready to move back to Primary's just yet.

---------Staci

Well we have been home two days now. It still seems unreal to me and also terrifying! But I think Bridger is getting used to us and we are all settling in.

---------Staci

HOME!!!!!!!

Today we are going home! We are so grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers. With that and all of the amazing staff of Primary Children's we are able to take our baby home for a little while! They are hoping we can stay home for a bit before the next surgery, so keep your fingers crossed. Also I have made friends with another heart mom up here, her son is two months younger than Bridger and they have never gone home. Well they received news today that their son will get a heart transplant tonight! So please if you are able pray for him as well, he and Bridger have been through alot together! Thank you again everyone-we love you and we will keep posting on this blog. Because of Bridger's fragility we will still be keeping visitors very limited so please call if you are wanting to stop by, and please don't come by if you or anyone around you has been ill.
--------Staci