We are hopefully getting close to discharge! I wanted to share some of the details for what is called the "interstage" period between now and Gabriel's glenn procedure later this year. I know some of you like the details and for everyone, to know how to pray. 

-we will be weighing and tracking his oxygen, intake, and heart rate everyday. We will upload his stats in his chart so the single ventricle clinic can track him. Weight gain is big, we want him to be at at least 11 pounds for his Glenn.

-we will have a cardiology appt at least weekly and will be called by the single ventricle team as well

-his btt shunt (which is a 3.5 mm in diameter gortex conduit that artificially completes his current plumbing) is his biggest risk factor during the interstage. He is on daily aspirin to help his body not clot off the shunt (this would be a critical event). Dehydration can also cause it to clot off. He is also on daily lasix to protect his lungs. As he grows, the shunt will stretch which will narrow the diameter of the shunt. His oxygen is expected to drop as he grows because of this stretching. If he gets to <75% saturation then they have to do his Glenn surgery. 

-his resilience for sickness is much less than a "normal" child during the interstage. The common cold can cause him to be hospitalized. RSV or the stomach bug could send him to the ICU. Nicole and I are having very intentional conversations on how to avoid sickness in our household as well as balancing helping our older children have a somewhat normal summer. We won't let it cause us to always miss our church family or other events, but we will need to be thoughtful. 

-the majority of interstage babies are rehospitalized during this interstage period for above reasons. Some babies have to stay in the hospital until the Glenn surgery. 

The good news is that once he has the Glenn his general course is much less risky. The optimal amount of support through adulthood after his Fontan procedure (at age 3-5) is that he will just need lifelong aspirin. There are a few potential side effects of a Fontan heart. We will pray that aspirin is the most he'll need. 

Thankful for your prayers as The Lord has blessed us beyond measure with step one for Gabriel's journey!