After all the consent forms and information gathering, Rudy was prepped and taken to the cath lab a little before 8am. Rolf was able to accompany Rudy into the lab as long as he dressed appropriately…good look for him:
So, he’s safely in and sedated and we should hear something in a couple of hours…
Surprises are part of this journey so this chapter started with getting final confirmation at 10:30pm last night from the hospital that we were slotted for the cath lab at 7:30 am (not 11 as we were told a few weeks ago). So, we were up and rolling out of SB just after 4am and got to UCLA for check in at 6am. Rudy slept the whole way and thusfar is enjoying the novelty of the adventure.
More as things develop.
Okay, so I’m probably sharing too much information about what’s going on in our household but be thankful it’s not as detailed of an account as what Max and Livy were discussing this morning as they compared vomit stories with one another. Ha Ha As it turned out, Rolf stayed out in the living room all night keeping an ear on the sickos…everyone’s tummies finally settled down about 2am. I stayed in our room with Rudy and so far he’s doing fine. Unrelated to the events of last night, Rudy had an early morning doctor appointment with a local ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat Doc) so I got him up, ready, out the door and back again before 9am. First thing this morning, Olivia was pretty weepy and cried as she said, “the worst part of throwing up is that I can’t be close to Rudy” (sweet girl) but by the time I returned home, she and Max looked chipper and were soon eating saltines. ‘Praying for a day of rest for the kiddos and a productive one for me as I finish up a few details before tomorrow.
Although sympathetic to his siblings, Wilson kept his distance and occupied himself with a good book…
Max was well supported by Wilson, Olivia and Rudy and his teacher, Miss Grant, who was kind enough to come as well. It was a special opportunity and Rudy enjoyed being a part of it all…
And so, we mark our journey with Rudy with yet another memorable holiday. ‘Just 10 more days until the heart cath…anxious and excited…and, as always, very grateful.
Need a pick me up? I think I’ve got just the thing…
Feel better? I thought so.
Thanks to Dr. Ryan, a man of many talents!
Things are relatively peaceful in these parts so thankfully there’s not much to report. We had a quiet weekend where we stayed close to home, which isn’t so bad when your home is close to the beach and the zoo. The big kids enjoyed Saturday afternoon out in the surf. Since Rudy seemed so excited by the ducks, we thought he’d really enjoy a stop at the zoo on Sunday. Turns out he wasn’t all that excited. Then we realized that, regardless of what species might have been before us, this was pretty much the view from his stroller:
The start of the new year has certainly directed Rolf’s and my thoughts to Rudy’s upcoming surgery but, apparently, it’s weighing on the kids’ minds too as Max and Olivia composed their own version of the following Christmas classic over the weekend…
“The Twelve Days In The Hospital”
On the twelve day in the hospital the doctors gave to me…
12 naps a day
11 x-rays of me
10 doctors operating
9 nurses dancing
8 hospital gowns
7 hopes for the future (how profound and absolutely sweet it this one!)
6 bottles of milk
FIVE STITCHES IN THE STOMACH
4 stuffed animals
3 pacifiers
2 dirty diapers
and an open heart surgery!
As scheduled, Rudy’s dance card has been full this week with visits -so far- to Dr. Harake (SB Cardiologist) and Dr. Pornchai T. (UCLA Pulmonologist). Both appointments went pretty well…no changes on the heart front and we have the heart cath scheduled for Thursday January 28th. Rudy is second on the schedule that day so ours will, most likely, be an overnight stay like last time. There is also the remote possibility that they will go ahead and admit Rudy into the hospital for the Glenn surgery at that time depending on what they find during the cath so we’ll plan accordingly. Either way we hope to have a plan for the Glenn as a result of this heart cath.
Rudy and I had a nice drive down the coast to L.A. on Tuesday. Dr. Pornchai did another thorough examination of Rudy and was a bit concerned this time with the way he was breathing. His breathing was a bit labored but he was also a little worked up after the long car ride, a late feed, being examined (normal baby stuff). I didn’t notice much difference from the way he normally is which then left me feeling like maybe I’m not reading Rudy right…what am I missing?…should I be concerned?…etc, etc. I’m tellin’ you, the mind games you start playing with the smallest of triggers can drive you crazy. Dr. Pornchai added a nebulizer med to Rudy’s regimin so we’ll start that, keep an eye on him and trust that we’ll know when something is wrong…ugh!
Of course, we had to pop up to the CTICU quickly while we were in the neighborhood to say “hi” to our staff friends and the sweetest part of my day was running into Dr. Andy M. who we haven’t seen since we left the hospital back in May. As one of the attendings in the PICU/CTICU, Dr. (Papa) Andy oversaw Rudy’s care on numerous occasions and he was so pleased to see how Rudy has grown. In his sweet, quiet way he just starred at Rudy and marveled so sincerely at how beautiful he is. Ahhhh, music to a mother’s ears. It is always so reassuring to check in with the folks on 5 east as they know so intimately how far Rudy has come. As the atmosphere in the unit on Tuesday was, once again, serious and intense, I hope our quick visits are mutually encouraging!
Did I mention Rudy and I had a nice drive down the coast? We are definitely blessed with a pretty commute down to L.A….especially in the winter time. I LOVE Santa Barbara in the winter… the sky is so clear and blue, the air is fresh and you can actually see the channel islands! Rolf captured these pics of Wilson on Sunday…a calm Pacific Ocean-
Water calm enough for Rudy!!!…I look forward to the day when Rudy can join them on one of their kayak excursions!
How is it possible that it is not only the start of a new year but also another decade!!!! My memories of it turning 2000 are much too vivid for it to now be 2010!!!! Yikes, can we all please slow down a bit. My mind has been full today…reflecting on all that happened in 2009, trying hard not to worry about what is to come in 2010 and wishing I were with my oldest brother and his family in Indy as they celebrate the wedding of my niece Stefanie. ‘Just got this pic sent to me from the reception that’s happening right now!!!…Technology is pretty cool:
Again I say “Slow down…life is happening much too fast!”
The theme around our household today has been roses and football. I woke this morning to breakfast in bed complete with one of Rolf’s fresh cut roses just in time to watch the Rose Parade on t.v. Rudy and I watched the Rose Parade last year in his hospital room but I think he liked this year’s view a little better.
Once the parade ended, football was next on the agenda…the Capitol One bowl, the Rose bowl possibly the Sugar bowl a little later. Rolf and Max had a very special treat with a quick trip to El Paso Wednesday and Thursday to see Stanford play in the Sun Bowl thanks to our best man Ruben (we chose wisely!). Max was definitely in heaven…
And so, Wilson made it home safely from his church youth group trip, Rolf & Max made it home from the game and we all enjoyed New Year’s Eve at home under one roof over a piping hot plate of Olivia’s cheesiest macaroni & cheese she made with the help of her new cookbook. A great start to the new year…
Today is also Rudy’s 15-month birthday…we continue to cherish each milestone!
We continue to take full advantage of our Christmas vacation by engaging in a number of our favorite activities. Rolf and the big boys headed up to Solvang first thing Saturday morning to get a good day of skating in at the skatepark. It still amazes me how the boys can jump back into the bowl and skate as well as they do especially since months can go by between skating treks to Solvang. Thankfully, it was a fun, injury-free trip and a great start to Wilson’s “ultimate-boarder” week as he took off the following day for a snowboard trip with the church youth group and plans to surf on New Year’s day.
Sunday was Livy and Rudy’s turn as they headed off to the lake near our house with a bag of bread to feed the ducks. The last time Rudy ventured out to feed the ducks he wasn’t able to focus on them very well so it was a real treat to see him get so excited this time…a clear sign of growth and progress.
And so the week continues with a couple of visits with good friends, good football to be watched and good play!
Wisely, Rolf turned off Max’s alarm which was set to go off at 6:30am when we went to bed on Christmas Eve and that bought us another hour of sleep Christmas morning. We were awakened by the troops at 7:30am ready to start the day…
The big kids proudly presented their gifts to Rudy first thing…a race car Wilson made in shop class, a teddy bear from Max and a blanket Livy sewed with her Girl Scout sewing skills. I think Rudy was wondering why everyone was home on a weekday and what all the fuss was about but he quickly settled back and watched in amazement at all the excited activity.
Our day ended with us all snuggled in bed at home….once again, so grateful to be home. Rudy ended the day grateful for his new slinky and big red ball:
Rudy's Beat 