Here we go again...

Well, after the false start of a few weeks ago, we are again ready to leave for Edmonton on the weekend. We will drive up on Sunday, as Henry's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 29 (time TBD).  We will spend 6 hours on Monday at the pre-op clinic. They will do some basic assessment of Henry and we will have "the talk" with Dr. Ross.  We expect he will sit down with us and explain what he hopes to do and what the risks of that are (this talk was one of the hardest and scariest parts of the process the 1st time Henry had surgery.  Not because Dr. Ross was anything but wonderful, but because of the stark reality of what was ahead of Henry and us).  At this time, we are aware of 2 surgical options for Henry.  One is much preferred, but it depends on how Henry's anatomy has grown and changed as to whether he can have this or whether he will have to have the less preferred option.  We may not have an answer to this until the surgery is complete. It has been a great source of stress, but we do our best to stay positive.

Although we knew the time would come for Henry to have another surgery, it feels like it has come too soon.  We want him to get big and strong, but getting bigger and stronger means that he outgrows his shunt (placed in the first surgery) and that further surgery is necessary.  A very good and kind friend who has a daughter who went through multiple open heart procedures several years ago summed things up very well when she said, "The first surgery is hard because you love your baby, but the second surgery is so much harder because you know your baby."  It's so true.  Now that Henry is a smiley, loving little guy, it really tears at our hearts to think of what he has to go through.  We believe he is going to do great, but if we could take his place we would in an instant.

We are always very thankful to our friends and family who support us.  We want to say an extra special thank you to those who have gone above and beyond in trying to help us.  This includes booking flights, booking alternate childcare and taking time off work to come to Ronald McDonald House to take care of Magnus.  We can't thank you all enough.