Surgery update July 13, 2011

First I want to say that my husband and I are overwhelmed by all the prayers and notes of encouragement from both our US and China friends.

Our day began yesterday at 6am, checked in and they took us back to pre-op room for sedation, vitals, etc. They took Ajay back promptly at 730am. The procedure was sketchy in. Y mind but our surgeon, Dr. Above, had everything ready to go. Although risky and complex, he tried to assure us of the many possible outcomes of which were truthful yet hard to comprehend. We never thought we could lose him,  but knew it was reality.

The surgeon proceeded to explain the procedure...they were going to work on his right side first, making a partial pulmonary artery from the many collateral, measuring less then 2mm, but removing some and creating 2 gortex conduits to carry blood from his lungs to his heart. He said its like taking angel hair pasta and turning it into lingiuini.

In this process, we learned that he would need to be put on a heart lung bypass machine, that would breathe for him and keep blood stable through out his body. He felt that Ajay would not be able to sustain himself unless he did this.

He was going to make an incision on his left side, verses through his chest because of the placement of the collateral in his body. ( he couldn't reach the collateral, or vessels in the from because of the defect, everything was located in a different location) Also, the bypass machine in Ajay,'s case could not be utilized in any other way, then by entering his right side.

In doing so, the right lung had to be manipulated, moved and tossed around a bit throughout the morning, to be able to complete the procedure. Ajay's collaterals were positioned everywhere throughout his right lung, anteriorly, but more so posteriorly.

From start to finish, the entire procedure was about 6 hrs. He continued to be on the bypass and ventillater throughout the rest of the night.

Knowing how his lung was manipulated, it made sense why his lung has now collapsed. The nurse said it was from the work to create the pulmonary artery on the right side of his lung and heart, but nonetheless it is somewhat dangerous.

Today, Wednesday, I am told that AJay has fought them all night. He is not liking the meds to keep him calm and even had to restrain his arms from pulling at the equipment, IV and other tubes. He had lost a lot of blood and is having difficulty breathing in a normal rhythm, which effects his blood gases, pulse oxygen levels, respiration, etc. Meds are given continuously to help keep all acids and bases stable as well as heart and lung functions and of course keep him calm to heal.

We are grateful for the work our surgical team has done, and Ajay is alive. But we have a ways to go. We are not out of the woods yet.

Ajay is a fighter and all of you reading this already know he has overcome so much in his life at such a young age. We know that this is going to be a struggle for him but we also know that he will continue to heal in his time. He is fighting drugs that would keep adults in a coma for weeks, so that tells me he will continue to be fighting for his life. He refuses to let the vent breathe for him. He refuses to lie still He refuses to give up! I love him for that strength and courage and think that he is here to teach us all something more...

Many have asked specifically what to pray for, and felt that prayers would be needed in all areas, but thought that knowing the physical state may help everyone see how Ajay's condition right now is very unstable. I hope I was able to provide you with a better picture of what Ajay needs right now.

As of 10am today, we were told that since his lung has not yet recovered, he will continue to be on the vent and bypass machine and will also continue to receive red blood cells and platelets to keep him strong, and to help him replace the blood volume lost.

Today we will watch over our little boy sleep and continue to pray for Him to heal his heart.