A short note at the end of a long day

At 2:30 we got our final call from Nurse J. that Todd was almost done with surgery, so we went to the cardiac ICU. We waited until almost 5:00 because it took them a bit longer to wrap things up and get him a bed in the ICU. His surgeon came and talked to us and told us his surgery was a great success, and he felt he achieved an excellent repair, even tightening down his aorta so that it seals extra well now. He confirmed that this had been the right time for surgery, and is hopeful that Todd will never have another surgery.

His dad, stepmom and I visited Todd briefly a little after 5:00. He was asleep and still intubated, and he looked surprisingly good with decent color. I said goodbye to friends Howard and Elaine, both of whom helped me through this long and exhausting day of waiting. Thanks, you guys. We left the hospital and Todd's uncle took us to dinner. He has been such a great host to us.

After dinner, Todd's dad and I went to the ICU for the 8:00 visiting hour. We waited a few extra minutes because they were extubating him. Todd's dad visited for a few minutes and I stayed on until after ten. Todd was uncomfortable for the first hour I was with him, mostly from tube irritation and chest pain brought on by breathing, but he settled down and was mostly asleep by the time I left at 10:30. His vital stats were excellent and he began breathing exercises, which he did well.

I will see him again tomorrow when visiting hours begin at 10 and I expect he will continue to recover quickly.

Thank you, everyone, for all your support today.