He is still measuring under the 3rd percentile. He weighs 4 pounds 3 ounces. Justin and I were so happy to hear he hit the 4 pound mark. One step at a time though, it's all in baby steps. Now we are hoping by the time he is delivered he will be close to 5 pounds.
We met with Dr. Ciccolo yesterday, he is the heart surgeon that will be doing the Hybrid procedure. He explained everything to us in great detail. We are very pleased with the success rate of the Hybrid procedure. It is supposed to be an easier recovery for Colston versus the Norwood, however when he has the second procedure at 6 months (the Norwood and Glenn combined), his recovery will be a little longer.
As soon as Colston is born he will be taken to NICU. They will do all new measurements of his heart and because he is so small it is very likely that he will be put on a ventilator right away.
One of the hardest things right now for Justin and I is the fact that we don't get to hold him. He goes straight to a breathing machine. We know that is what is best and safest for him so of course we are all for it, but it doesn't make it any easier.
Once they take all new measurements of him outside the womb, he will be put on prostaglandins to keep his Pulmonary Duct open. Colston will have the Hybrid procedure done sometime the first week of life but they won't know a date until they monitor him and run all their tests the first few days.
Until then, I still have a few doctors appointments to monitor his heart rate and next week we get to tour Sunrise Children's Hospital.
We are really trying our best to take everything one step at a time and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We were told to expect Colston to be in the hospital for at least six weeks, anything before then is a miracle. When he gets to go home depends on how he does feeding, breathing, and growing. They have had babies go home after two weeks and they have had babies that weren't able to go home for six months.
One of the hardest things about this condition is that no two cases are the same. As much as we want answers, we can't have them because nobody knows what the right answer is. I can't tell you how many times Justin and I have heard "Let's wait and see."
Only time will tell what is meant for our little man but I am so confident he is a fighter. He had his hands in fists at his ultrasound this morning, that has to be a good sign.
As always, Justin and I love and appreciate all the prayers we have gotten so far. Our support system is truly amazing and we could not have been blessed with better family and friends. I have met many other heart moms online through support groups as well and they are extraordinary women.
We are so thankful for each and everyone of you.
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