We spoke with the cardiologist Wednesday, and they are proceeding with David’s heart surgery.  They all thought it best to implant a shunt between two arteries around the top of his heart.  While this was the “worst” of the choices surgery-wise, it’s also the most effective and a procedure they do on a regular basis.

We asked if it’s open-heart surgery, and he said it depends on your definition of it.  He said, by his definition, it’s not.  It is close, but it will be a long-term (months or years) fix for his problems.

We haven’t met the surgeon yet, but we should within the next couple of days.  His surgery is set for Monday, and we’ll find out the time later.  It should only take a couple of hours to do.  After that, he’ll recover for a few days.

This will probably be the last update until after the surgery.  Please continue to pray for our boy.  He needs them more than ever.  If all goes well, this will be just another awesome Christmas present.

I think I’m a little late in updating this blog with info about our boy. 

David was born Dec. 1, 2008, at 12:50 a.m.  He was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 inches long.

He had a little trouble breathing, so they had to take him within five minutes of him being born.  Because of his heart condition, they took him to the Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (RNICU).  Another baby was in distress inside, so we had to wait another six hours to see him, but it was well worth it.

If you’ve read this blog, you know how we’ve been dealing with this situation since we found out about it.  You also know exactly what his problem has been, so I won’t go back  into detail since you can glance through previous entries.  Anyhow, we met with his cardiologist over the next couple of days, and he underwent a heart catheterization on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

He made it through the heart cath very well, and it looks like he might have to go through some more over the next few years.  That’s better than open heart surgery, which we believe he’ll avoid.

Since the heart cath, the doctor has been trying to ween him off his medicine that keeps a duct open between his main arteries leading into his heart (we’re all born with the duct, but it dissolves hours after birth).  He stopped the medicine abruptly twice, and David responded by dropping his heart rate and oxygen levels.  They’ve had to place him back on the medicine, but they’ll try next week to slowly take him off.

If successful, it’s likely a matter of days before we can bring him home.  If it’s not successful, then they’ll implant a shunt where that duct is, and hopefully he’ll grow out of it.  I think they mentioned one other type of surgery, but I can’t remember right now.

Other than that, he’s a tough little guy.  He’s been calm and peaceful, but he can eat like nobody’s business.  Amy has been going up there every morning to feed him, and they’ve increased the amount of food he’s allowed to have.  If he can just get over this issue with the duct, then we’re doing better than we could’ve dreamed.

I’ve said so much in e-mails and other social networking sites that I really don’t have (or want) much more to say.  This has been completely stressful, and we all have fallen apart at one time or another.  However, we are doing much better this week, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s just the four of us at home.

Please keep your prayers coming.  We’ve been feeling them, and they’ve worked beautifully.  You will never know how you have helped us make it through this.

If you want to see more pictures of him, the photos page has them!  Another update later!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have a lot to be thankful for in our household.

I am thankful, first and foremost, for God and what He has blessed us with.  This year has been full of many changes, and He has been faithful through it all.

Second, I’m so thankful for my wife, Amy.  She is a rock I can lean on, and I love her so very much.  We both have had the biggest change of our lives this year with our son, David.  As I write this, he still isn’t here, but will come into this world by this time next week.

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That little prayer is one a lot of people know from their childhood.  It is usually said before you eat a meal, but those six words are powerful no matter what.

I say those words knowing God will take care of us with what we’re about to go through.

Thank you for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers in these past few months.  Please keep them coming as we prepare for David’s arrival in the next few days.  I’ll continue  to update you as best I can.

One quick update before I finally crash for the night.  The clock is ticking for our baby boy to come into the world.  Friends and family, you’ll receive updates via e-mail.  I’ll post here with less-vital information when time permits.

I turned on my Xbox 360 tonight, and for the second time in less than two years, I got the red ring of death.  I think my days of the Xbox are over.  We have a Wii, which we dearly love.  I know it probably won’t break anytime soon, so I’ll try to sell my 360 game collection over eBay.  If I can make some decent money off of it, I’ll see about investing in a PS3.  My HDTV screams for HD games. 

I gave Microsoft glowing reviews in a January 2007 post for their customer service in replacing my 360.  I thank them, but my thanks will now turn to “no thanks” as I’d rather have functional hardware in lieu of customer service.

What do you think?  Keep just the Wii, or bite the bullet on PS3?