Post surgery update

This was the longest day of our lives! To say that Jenni and I are exhausted would be an understatement. Thank you for your prayers, they really carried us all day long. We thank the Lord for His grace and mercy!

Here is a short summery of surgery day:

• We checked in to Children's at 6:45 am.
• After waiting for 45 minutes we were escorted to a private room for final instructions and preparations for Braden (Jenni & I were able to pray over Braden one last time).
• At 8 AM I placed Braden into the arms of the anesthesiologist, and they were off to the O.R. (this was the hardest thing Jenni and I have ever done).
• Jenni and I found a quiet place to wait and pray.
• At 10:18 AM we received word that the surgery was underway.
• Then later, at 2:30 PM, we were notified that the surgery was finished and Dr. Cohen was on his way to meet with us.
• Braden's operation went very well. The arterial switch and moving of the coronary arteries went smoothly, while the ventricular septal defect (hole in the bottom chambers) was a difficult fix. The opening was so large that it took all the surgeon's skills to close it (Dr. Cohen stated that if the surgery had been performed at birth, there was no possibility he would have been able to close it, which would have constituted another surgery at a later date). So praise God that we were able to wait a few weeks, and only one operation was needed!
• After some time Braden was moved to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where Jenni and I were able to see him. We tried to prepare ourselves, but it was very difficult to walk into his room. I've never seen so many wires in all my life!
• But thanks to every one's prayers and support we were able to make it through the day!

Now, as the healing process begins, there are a few specific prayer requests:

1. Please pray that the pacemaker that is helping Braden's heart pump will only be needed for a short time. That his heart will become strong and able to pump with no assistance.
2. Pray that he will heal quickly and there would be no complications of any kind.
3. Please pray that Braden will be on his ventilator for only a short time, being able to breathe on his own as soon as possible.
4. Pray that every part of Braden's heart will function as designed by God.

We look forward to giving more updates as the Lord brings healing to Braden's heart and body!

God bless you all!

Darth & Jenni