The Surgery

Brock had his surgery today at 11 am. The process took about an hour and a half and went really well. Yesterday the hospital helped get us a room at the Ronald McDonald house which is only a couple minutes from the hospital so that we could be closer and more easily able to visit Brock. While we were checking in a worker there asked us if we would like to go to the Jazz game. We were a bit confused as to why she would be asking us, I was initially appalled that she was going to try and hawk tickets to us given the situation. But she explained that they had received a charitable donation in the form of 20 tickets and asked if we would like some so that we could have a break from the whole situation and could enjoy an evening together. Kasey very quickly accepted the tickets, they even gave one to Ady and we ended up at the Jazz game a few hours later. Although the Jazz forgot that the game was important and got absolutely abused by the Suns, we enjoyed the experience. At the game they announced that Deron Williams' charity had supplied the tickets. I was very proud to be wearing his jersey after I found out that he, or at least his charity, had made it possible for my family to come to the game.

This morning at breakfast, Ady puked a little. Then about 20 minutes later she puked a whole bunch. So there we were, getting ready to go back up to the hospital and Ady was puking. (She did manage to let me know early enough in advance on the third time that I was able to get her to the toilet). We decided that Kasey should go on up and be with Brock and I would stay with Ady till we could figure out what to do with her. After a little while Daron came and got her and I was able to join Kasey at the hospital at about 11:45 am. At about 12:30 we were paged, and they took us into a room with a cardiologist, and then they showed us clips of the procedure. Literally they had video footage of the surgery. We got to see the pulmonary valve before, the balloon being inserted and inflated, and then the size of the valve after the procedure. The valve is now a normal size and the doctors were very happy with the results. They did tell us that one of his ventricle chambers and outflow valve have grown excessively thick and will need time and possibly another surgery to repair. The doctors said we just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days, weeks and even months. We were so glad to hear them talk about months rather than what needed to be done in the next few hours. Brock is breathing normal room air right now, and is enjoying holding his Grandma Van Tassell's thumb. Once again we are so grateful to all the prayers and support for Brock and our family during this time.