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I am home this evening. Thanks to Dejah for updating for me - the procedure was successful. For my medical friends and the heart-informed readers I'll share the details. The defect measured 22mm when they measured it during the procedure. It was too big for the Helex device, but Dr. Sperrazza was able to place a 24mm Amplatzer - it's the one in the video below. It fit nicely and isn't causing any problems. The deficient rim didn't cause a problem. I've been having some PAC's (premature atrial contractions), but they've lessened a lot since yesterday. No one seems to be too concerned about them. I had an echo this morning to confirm that the device looks ok and to get some baseline values for the echos to come. All was well. I'll have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Ward in one month, and I think there will be an echo done at that time. I'm taking Plavix and aspirin for six months. Greg got a kick out of that. I've always kidded him about having to take all his "heart medicine" at his age (blood pressure and cholesterol pills), never thinking I would have any health issues of my own. I couldn't have imagined. They checked out my coronary arteries while they were in there. They looked great - no blockages. I really hadn't been very sore, but was a bit more sore after I got home this afternoon. At this point, it looks worse than it feels. Lets just say I wouldn't be very attractive in a swimsuit right now. I didn't get much sleep last night, hospitals are so noisy. I came home and took a nap this afternoon. This is a pic of the wonderful pillow I had last night - which might also have something to do with my sleeping difficulties. Seriously, can this be considered a pillow? I asked for another one, but was told they were all like like this. Note to self: always take pillow and ear plugs to hospital.

Maddie and Kelsey (my friend Kristi's daughter) went swimming this afternoon with Kristi, and Greg picked up Carter and Chloe from their Aunt Jan and Uncle Bob's house. Our friends Dovie and Polly brought us dinner tonight - thanks, girls! It was great. Thanks to everyone who has helped us out this week.

I can't finish this post without acknowledging little Mav. Last night I was laying in the hospital bed thinking about him and how ironic it was that the same night four months prior I was laying with him in his crib at Children's. It was the night before he died. It has been four months today. Today, I left the hospital with a better chance at a long life without heart complications. The same day of the month he left to be with God. His little body left the hospital in a car seat en route to the funeral home. If he had never come into our lives, I may have found out about this defect too late. We still love and dearly miss our sweet boy. I just hate it that he had to go through so much. I love this picture of him. It was taken right after he was born. One of Greg's favorites is posted below with an explanation.

It was a bit difficult going into Children's yesterday, but my friend, Lori was with me in the cath lab. We also saw Danny, the chaplain I've known for many years. Mav's nurse, Marcy, came to see us once we got into a room. It was as good as it could've been, given the circumstances. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Love you all, jc