Cardio Follow Up

Magnus had his first post-op appointment with his St. Louis cardiologist on Thursday. She was in disbelief at how good he looked and that he was nine days post-op from such a major surgery. Add another to the list of people who are in awe of our warrior!

Everything looked so great except the top of his incision which he has been picking at in his sleep. It was on the verge of an infection but a physician assistant from cardiothoracic surgery thinks it's ok. We will send a picture to her on Monday to see how it's doing. She was also able to take out Mags's chest tube stitches which was painless. That was a relief because he was totally traumatized in the office. He is very vulnerable when his shirt is off, even with me at home. It breaks my heart but I will do everything in my power to build him back up and diminish his fear. Time will heal and so will his chest. If you ever do get a glimpse of it, please tell him how cool it is or how he is Superman. We can all build him back up!

I don't plan on posting very often since we are back in the swing of chaos...and loving it! Please continue to keep Magnus on your prayer list. Though he is in the best possible health right now, that can easily change. We are forever grateful for each and every one of you. Your loving support of our family is priceless!

So glad we made it back in time for these two beauties' preschool graduation!

HOME!!!!

Monday - Post Op Day 7

- 11am - Mark down another early morning for this Duff duo - 5am! Since our roomie was fast asleep, we played in front of the interactive jumbotron in the lobby to pass the time.  We then had a whirlwind of tests -  chest xray, blood work and an ECHO. Of course we made our way to the play room and I finally remembered my phone for pics. Can't get this lil guy to pose, he's on the move! Our friend, Ethan, was extubated this morning and will be in his parent's arms soon enough! And we may have some big news of our own to come...!!

This is a very special flashlight...the batteries inside were the batteries keeping Magnus's heart beating with the pacemaker. I will never throw them away!

- 7:30pm -

- 9:30pm - Did you guys know we have a real life super hero as a son?! The above picture was a hint to our big news. Does it look like a hospital background to you? Nope!! It was taken in our hotel room because we busted out of the big house! Magnus was discharged today in record time. That is 7 days post op for an extremely big open heart surgery! I don't know if I can begin to describe the magnitude of this feat! This sweet, little 2 year old just had the fight of his life and won the bout with CHD in 7 rounds/7 days! He knocked it out and is doing a victory dance with his Super Magnus shirt and his squeaky shoes! There had been talk of discharge all yesterday but I didn't think it would really happen. Surely not today! But all the tests he had completed this morning, those were all discharge tests! We Skyped the girls from our hotel room to spread the good news. Mags said "home" to them. I wish I had a screen shot of their faces. I hope to never forget them in that moment! :) So Magsy and I will be on a flight tomorrow morning at 7:10am. I'm exhausted just thinking about it but way more excited! I am beyond ready to hug and kiss my girls a million times over. And to see them reunited with their little prince who needs to return to his castle. THANK YOU for all of your thoughts, prayers, texts, FB messages, emails, calls, meals and love. We were overwhelmed by your support and know that this was nothing short of a miracle. Our Little Warrior fought such a tough fight and will now get to dance his way through life. I've learned so much from him for he has taught me more in four months than I've learned in years past. I can't wait for tomorrow for so many reasons but the reason at the top of my list...it's Day 1 of the rest of our lives with 6 fully functioning Duff hearts!

Thank you Ali!!

Sunday - Post Op Day 6

- 11:30am - sorry for the late update but my toddler is back and demanding. I love it! Magnus had a great night of sleep, me...not so much! We were spoiled with our CICU private room and padded bench to sleep. Magnus had an EKG and a bath this morning. He was looking so rough but now is squeaky clean again. I don't plan on posting as often since we shouldn't have too much to report and I'm much busier now. Maybe a morning and night check in. Hope everyone is doing great back home, we miss you all dearly!

Please keep those prayers coming for Ethan! He is still sleeping but showing progress. The doctors have some big decisions to make.

- 8:30pm - Busy, busy, busy! That's the story around here! Little Warrior is on the go and no one can stop him. A burst of energy accompanies his now plump pink lips, nails and toes! It's incredible to stand by and experience. I'm taking it all in and not taking one second for granted. We had a busy afternoon starting with busting out of the inpatient unit. We grabbed lunch at Au Bon Pain and enjoyed a much needed picnic in the hospital garden. We even saw the bunnies that everyone has been buzzing about. We rested for a bit so we could spend hours circling the unit in a wagon and push car. Mags made friends with all. It was if he was cruising down the boulevard with the top down. :) We were then told his temporary pacemaker was getting removed within minutes. YES!! Those were the last of the wires, tubes, IVs and dressings. He broke freeeee! So many people here have been asking to hear our story and we are sharing the beauty of adoption. This little boy is inspiring so many and I couldn't love him or admire him any more. For the umpteenth time, thank you dear Lord for the most treasured little boy in the whole world!

Saturday - Post Op Day 5

- 6am - Good morning family and friends! It's been a long morning already since our lil man decided to start it at 4am. Looks like it's going to be a two or three Pepsi day for this mama! Magnus had another uneventful night with an early morning chest xray at 4:30am. We are waiting to hear the results. In the mean time, his heart rhythm is back in sinus (regular) and not junctional! We have high hopes to get his chest tube out today which causes him a lot of pain. It has been in place to drain any fluid out of his lungs. Please say a prayer for it to be removed. It would make him so much more comfortable! We're also anxiously waiting to be moved out of the CICU. We had such a special time together as we said goodbye to Daddy last night. There were lots of smiles and even some dancing in bed! This sweet boy adores his daddy!

Flashlight fun in the dark

Thank you St. Michael and Magnus's guardian angel for protecting him thus far

Look at the way he looks at his daddy

One last fist bump...

And one last kiss

- 7am - Ok prayer warriors. It's time to storm heaven, not for us right now but for another little one. There are so many children here, so so many broken hearts. Specifically, I am asking you to pray for a beautiful baby boy, Ethan, and his parents. We have fervently been praying for them since Monday morning when we became fast friends while waiting for surgery. Ethan is a sweet almost-2 year old who also had open heart surgery and hasn't been extubated yet. He is taking his time as he has been very sleepy. His parents are such wonderful people and they need their son back in their arms. You would all adore them and lovingly welcome them into our community. Please lift them up, I'm begging you.

- 12:30pm - What a morning! Magnus's friend, Ethan, is opening up his eyes more. We hope he gets extubated and over to the cardiac floor with us soon! Thank you for your prayers! Magsy had some big events including the removal of his chest tube, an IV port and other dressings! He was treated to a spa shampoo and sponge bath.  He also took another spin in the go-kart and is relaxing with Snow White right now. We're passing time for just a bit because we are moving out of the CICU!! He took the most adorable photo fist bumping his nurse but she requested that I not post it. Ask me to see it on my phone some time, it's frameable! :)

Some more leg-crossin' chillin'

Not feeling the shampoo but makes such a cute chef!

Cruisin' in the CICU, lookin' for chicks!

Chest tube and dressing removal = dance party!

- 6:30pm - We have moved over to the OTHER coveted side! Our digs aren't as great but we're not going to complain. We're happy to be out of the scary unit! We're sharing a room with a sweet 2 year old girl who is set to leave on Monday. Maybe we'll slide over to the window position! Mags is doing great and thinks he can do more than he can. We went on a little car ride and he tried to get in and out several times. Nice try little buddy! He took one step and stood on his own for a bit. Now he's resting and a little out of breath. That's enough excitement for the day. Tomorrow, we're going outside to the garden - WOOHOO!!!