Cath and Ear Tubes

Caleb had a cardiac cath yesterday.  We had to be there super early so the other kids prayed over him the night before and Coop told him he could have his horsey stuffed animal (he prefaced it by saying he didn't like or want it anymore- which he didn't mean.)  He was trying to be sweet in his cool way.  Then he said he wasn't going to school.  I know they get nervous for their brother, as was Pippaw who knows all too well about having these done.  He was especially nervous for Caleb now that he's getting older and recognizing what is going on.
We got to the hospital for check in and he was blowing everyone hundreds of kisses.  Always the sweet boy.  He had to have three arteries that lead off the aorta angioplastied- his subclavian artery (brings blood to left arm), carotid artery (brings blood to left side of brain), and innominate artery (brings blood to right arm and right side of brain).  They used the largest balloon for his size to open up the significant narrowing in each artery.
They were very pleased with his heart function, which is a very good update.
The ENT came in and put ear tubes in, as well.  YEA!  He drained the fluid so hopefully this will alleviate the constant ear pain (which frequent fluid along with the Glenn anatomy is a set up for uncomfortableness!).
Caleb came off the ventilator easily but had a very hard afternoon and night.  The effects of the anesthesia made him want to keep sleeping and not wake, but then when he tried to wake, he was angry (but couldn't move due to the cath sites-  they went in his femoral vein in his groin and his jugular vein in his neck).  His ears bled a good bit all afternoon due to the heparin he had during the cath.
It is incredible the interventions the physicians can do via catheter.  Although it's hard to watch him hurt  (his throat is sore from the vent tube), this is minor compared to a heart surgery.  It is crazy to think, though, that procedures such as this are what keeps him alive and that he has to have these annually. Thank you to the Great Physician for these blessings!
We were discharged this morning!  Yippea!  I think being home will be the best medicine.  He really just needs to catch up on sleep and get lots of sibling loving!

We had a super surprise visit from Santa Claus over Thanksgiving.  It was a blessing to get to see him yet keep little Caleb isolated from lots of people!  Thank you special elves for sending him!