Six is super: Jonathan's Surgery

Jonathan's open heart surgery was a successful one. The surgeon replaced his pulmonary valve with a valve from a cow's jugular vein--apparently a close match!

Here is Jonathan's chest--last picture of it before the incision :)

7am, surgery day. Jonathan has been scrubbed with the anti-bacterial wash, and has a hospital gown on instead of a shirt... we were reading Farley Mowat's, "Lost in the Barrens". It passed the time nicely.

This is the screen in the OR waiting room. Jonathan is VA., J. (9J5) and we could watch his status change. There were probably 20 names on the screen throughout the morning, though most surgeries were quicker than Jonathan's (4 1/2 hours).

This was Sunday afternoon (surgery was Friday). Most of the IV's are out, tape off of the incision and chest tubes pulled out. The Ipod really helped him sleep... he listened to classical music to drown out the sound of the other kids in the ward... though this picture is actually in his private room.

Starting to feel better... a highlight was getting the bundle of cards from the Riversiders on Sunday night. He was delighted with them!

Jonathan's nurse, Alvin, when he was in the private rooms (Sunday to Tuesday). Alvin was great! Very friendly and helpful. Here we are just about to leave.