We just met with Thomas's surgeon, Dr. Kogon.....the surgery is over and he said the repair went beautifully! The main issue was bleeding...they finished the actual repair about three hours ago but it took all of this time for the bleeding to stop. He was oozing from hundreds of needle holes in his heart and vessels, and they had to slowly give him blood, clotting factors, and platelets. He only needed two sutures to help with bleeding, which is remarkable!
The surgeon has several concerns which are our new prayer requests:
1) bleeding....pray that it will stop and they wont have to go back into his chest to stop bleeding
2) his kidney function....he is third spacing a lot of fluid (getting puffy instead of keeping inside his vessels) and not making much urine. Hopefully this will improve with medication and time.
3) His atria are "twitchy"....pray that he won't have any abnormal rhythms
4) He is on alot of inotropic support (medicines that support his heart function)...pray that they can wean his meds and he can hold his own
This is the first hurdle of the next 48h....which will be critical. Please pray for Thomas whenever you think of him. Pray that he will be stable, and that any complications that arise will be easily managed.
His chest will remain open for the next few days, so his heart will be visible through a goretex mesh patch. It is pretty remarkable.
Hopefully we will be able to see him soon!!!!
We are so grateful for the surgeons and their skilled hands, and we can never thank everyone enough for all of the prayers going up on behalf of our son. I know that is what has carried us this far!
“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. (Jeremiah 32:17, 19 NLT)
We are so thankful!!!
Dr. Behm, our thoughts and prayers are with you, TJ, and Baby Thomas. I pray that God continues to give you strength thru this ordeal and that he wraps Baby Thomas in his healing hands. We will be praying for him constantly!!!! Thank you for your wonderful care of Will and Tallie and just know we are thinking of you. Lacy Lewis
ReplyDeleteWhat Wonderful news!! I hope that you will be able to see Thomas soon! Continued prayers for strength and recovery. Thinking and praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteThat is the best news I've heard all day-I can only imagine how anxious you guys have felt throughout the day and I have been praying that God sustain you (and He did)! Will now be praying specifically for the new concerns-our God is able and I'm trusting him! Stephanie King
ReplyDeleteWoooHooo!!! Yea for Thomas & you both. New prayer requests copied (so I can remember them). I know the next 48 hrs will be tough but I know that at least you guys can stop to take a slow deep breath & be Thankful for what has come of today. Praying that this is the best Thanksgiving for you all & that you can celebrate as a family that Thomas has made it safely beyond the 48 hr mark without major complications. He has shown his strength & will to survive already, I know he can do it!!! Go Thomas!
ReplyDeleteLove & prayers~~~~Stephanie & Family
Step one success! Clot, Thomas, clot! Healing prayers for your little miracle. Praying that this first "window" continues to go beautifully. Wow. I am always amazed at His human creation and the knowledge we have about it. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful verse to celebrate the first step in this amazing miracle! I'm so thankful to know Thomas is out of surgery and will continue to pray for all of his new specific needs. So glad to know we serve a mighty God who is bigger than anything we can ask or imagine and that He is the Great Physician caring for Thomas! Love you guys!!!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Such wonderful news!! I will keep lifting you all up! Isaiah 40:31 has come to my mind all day...
ReplyDeleteI first heard about Thomas's surgery on facebook yesterday. I have not been able to get him or ya'll out of my mind and have been praying for all of you all day. Thank you for the specific prayer requests for Thomas as I know SO MANY people are lifting your family up to the Lord! Praise God for the miracles He has worked today and for the miracles He will continue to do!
ReplyDeleteChristina Glendye
Praying for Thomas! I don't even think you know the person who told me about you.. Cherokee Christian parents are lifting up your precious family. Thank you for the specific prayer requests.. Praying intentionally for all of you!
ReplyDeleteMelissa Young
We are so thankful the surgery went well! Praise God! We will continue to pray for Thomas and you guys.
ReplyDeleteMany thought and prayers,
Christian, Kristy, and Cole Valdez
We are continuing to pray for Thomas and you guys. Thank God surgery went well!! Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteErin, Buddy & Mason Cantrell
I have been praying for Thomas and watching for updates throughout the day. Our entire Sunday School class at Rock Springs is praying for this precious little child. We are thankful that the first surgery is over and pray for good days ahead.
ReplyDeleteGreat news... we will keep praying.
ReplyDelete- Jen and Joey
Praise God! He is sovereign and merciful! Love to you all- Victoria & Squeak
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this blog and allowing all of us to share our prayers for Thomas and your family. You are so strong and have a lovely way of expressing your thoughts and feelings that have filled my mind all day. I have prayed for Thomas all day as I know hundreds of folks have and I know God gave you this gift and he is so special. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteHeather, Patrick & Addison Locke
Praise! We will continue to pray and lift Thomas up. May you and TJ have peace. We know God is in charge (although we all want to help) Easley Peds as well as EFBC have been remembering you three. (There are so many of your thoughts that I can relate to as Paul Bryan also went through so much at birth (ECMO))Thank you for keeping us updated and uplifted with scripture. We will sincerely pray for the things that you listed. Betty Anne Black
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he is done with surgery. We will definitely keep you guys in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteHeather & Aureliano
Our prayers have been answered !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch good news! I am still praying and will continue for these specific needs!
ReplyDeleteHeard of Thomas through my cousin, Corrie Gee. Our constant prayers are with Thomas, you and your husband. Thank you for the updates. I want to include a few scriptures for you to read whenever you get a chance. Luke 1:37 Luke 18:27 Ephesians 3:20 Jeremiah 30:17 Psalm 30:2 Psalm 147:3. In my prayers, Tammie Butler
ReplyDeleteSo glad surgery went well - praying for rest and peace for all of you!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord! Still praying hard for all of you and for all of those taking care of Thomas! Hope he does great and they can close his chest soon. (make sure his nurses strip his chest tubes often :)) Much love, the DiGiuseppe crew
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteWe pray for strength for all of you. We pray especially for Baby Thomas.
Waiting for more good news,
Tara, Walt, Ford and Isabelle
Dr. Behm,
ReplyDeleteYour courage and strength is superhuman, as is the incredible Thomas.
We are praying for your little angel constantly.
all our love and prayers,
Holly Jonathan and Eloise Goldstein
Wonderful news! Congratulations on making it through this hurdle. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLaura Crane
What joyful news! I posted a brief update on my facebook page. So many are praying! The same God that guided the hands and instruments of the dedicated doctors and team is the same God for the next 48 hours and forever and always! Thank you for these updates. I am continuing to pray for Thomas and you to be surrounded by our Lord's perfect peace.
ReplyDeleteCynthia (Cindy) Howard
Thought about you and prayed all day. So glad surgery went well. Bless his little heart... Literally! Sending much love to you 3.
ReplyDeleteKaren Gates
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
ReplyDeletedo not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Melissa, this verse has often brought me comfort in tough times. You and sweet Thomas have been in my prayers today. Dudley shared your blog with me, so I will continue to watch for updates and will continue to pray for healing for
Thomas andrest for you and your family.
Amanda Hendricks
So happy to hear surgery was successful. You guys will continue to be in our prayers until ALL is great!! You have a beautiful family and God, prayers and love will pull you guys through this!! Thanks for the updates!! Can't wait for more good news!! Sending prayers and love!!
ReplyDeleteThe Caldwells
Yay! So happy that this first hurdle is over! I will keep praying for Thomas during his recovery. I admire you and TJ so much for all of your strength! We all love you!
ReplyDelete-Ellie
SO SO happy for you, that Thomas came thru the surgery so well and you will be able to see him soon! I've been thinking and praying so often today about all of you, and will keep it up over the coming days. God has done great things today!! I am sure He has not taken His eyes off you for even a second :) Hope you get some rest tonight. Much love!
ReplyDeleteI have been praying all day and am just thrilled to get this update. Thank you for posting and God bless you all. I know this has been a long day and I know that God is taking care of you. Will continue to pray hard!
ReplyDeleteJamie Grant
I have been praying continuously for you all today and want you to know how much this blog has meant to me. Your way with words, your scripture verses, your love, your directing us specifics on what to pray...it has all been an unreal experience. I know there is a book running around in your heart and mind, and I am standing in the gap with you and praying mightily for precious Thomas. Also, I thank I need to say Happy Birthday to Ama. So much love all the way around. jo
ReplyDeleteWhat great news! I have been praying for all of you all day today! So glad to hear that at least this surgery is behind you. I will continue to pray for you and for sweet Thomas' healing. Love, Amanda O'Kelly
ReplyDeleteWe will continue to pray the specific requests for your sweet boy. Meg Hollis
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you both and for sweet Thomas. I know God hears you and is holding you all in the palm of His hand. We hope you have a quiet night and that you can get some rest.
ReplyDelete~ Kris, Rick, Dean and Walt Tindol
So thankful to our loving Father... He has not left Thomas' side through this - nor will He ever. May you all receive the strength & rest you need, and feel His joy in your hearts! We love you and continue to pray.
ReplyDeleteLove, Donna & Bill Huffman
Sending you lots of love from Ohio! We are keeping all of you in our thoughts:)
ReplyDeleteThe Goodings
We are praying hard for Thomas.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for He has done great things today! He continues
ReplyDeleteto watch over you and baby Thomas. I pray for rest for your soul and
strength. We will continue to pray as you directed.
We love you!!!! Jody
I am so glad this part is over, and will continue to pray for Thomas. You must be relieved the surgery is done even though much still lies ahead for you guys. I pray that you and TJ can find some peace and get some rest. You're no use to Thomas if you exhaust yourselves, though I realize it's far easier said than done. I spent the day with Brady, and he was a solid little rock of support that propelled me to pray constantly for Thomas and you both. I can't wait for you to hold your little snugglebug again! It's amazing what those little bundles can carry you through--just look at what you guys survived today. You did that because of Thomas. He is such a blessing to you! I can't tell you the relief I feel from this update. I'm sure everyone of your family and friends will agree with me when I say we are all in this together to share your tears and joys throughout this process. Believe me when I say that if I could take some of your pain from you I truly would. Looking forward to your next update, and I hope you get to see Thomas very soon. Love, hugs, and prayers from my family to yours....
ReplyDeletePraise God!!! GREAT news! We will keep on praying! Love y'all!!!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful to our GOD that the surgery was successful! Prayers continue for your sweet boy!
ReplyDeletePsalm 107:1- Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.
Christine and Scott Fournier
I found your blog through a friend, Corrie Gee. My daughter, Emma Kate, has the same heart defect, HLHS. She had (and will have) her surgeries at CHOA. She's now 3 years old and doing fantastic! She's such a testament of Christ's love, protection and provision to us.
ReplyDeleteI know how scary this time is for you all. I will be thinking and praying for Thomas. If yall need anything at all, even if it's just a bit of support, we'd love to help!
Heart Hugs,
Bethany
Praying over each minute that Thomas will get stronger. So thankful that the surgey is over and went well. Know that everyone here is praying hard and loving you all from home. We won't stop!
ReplyDeleteDelynn
Thanks for sharing this good news. I will be praying for all the specific requests you listed. Way to go, Thomas! I'm thanking God for His protection over your sweet son during his surgery.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteBetty and Jerry (Grayson and Corbin's grandparents)
Wonderful news. God is good, and he will take of precious Thomas. I have been praying and will continue.
ReplyDeleteLove, Tim, Casey and Jacob wright
Melissa, I am amazed at your strength and I am thinking of and praying for Thomas! He is one lucky boy to have such wholesome, wonderful parents. Likewise, you guys are lucky to have such a special brave little boy. I know the Lord will prevail and you will have your little boy home soon. Love, Brittney
ReplyDeleteThomas, Melissa, and TJ
ReplyDeleteMalena, myself and everyone at Coastal Pediatrics are so happy to hear the good news! We are praying for a continued speedy recovery. We will pray specifically for the above mentioned needs, and will hold constant vigil that Thomas has no new complications in the next few days. We know that the power of prayer is unparalleled and that God will continue to demonstrate miraculous feats through Baby Thomas!
thanks to everyone for the outpouring of support and prayers. We love you and lift you up. Get some sleep and may God Bless You!
What Dudley said!
ReplyDeleteSo happy the surgery went well. We will continue to pray for your sweet little boy.
ReplyDeleteThe Pashke family
Your sweet Thomas and all who surround him have been in my thoughts and prayers today. You are so very strong and amazing! He is so lucky to have such an awesome mommy! God bless you all. Take care - prayers will continue!!! xoxoxo Middi
ReplyDeleteGod is GREAT!!!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, you don't know me but I grew up a couple blocks away from TJ. My brother, myself, and TJ used to ride bikes and skateboards together and we played lots of basketball! My family is praying for sweet little Thomas and for you and TJ. I am glad he has found such a strong Christian woman in you! I will pray for Thomas' strength and health. God knit him together for you and TJ TO LOVE and care for and he has good plans for you all! I will pray for supernatural healing that can only be described as a miracle and that the Lord would bring comfort and peace to you and TJ! In the love of Christ, Charity Santiago
ReplyDeleteGOD is faithful-- He is always on TME!!! Never give up our hope in the LORD!!! PRAYING AND LOVING YOU- NANCY
ReplyDeleteDr. Behm, Thomas and TJ,
ReplyDeleteI am continuing to pray for baby Thomas, as well as your family. Your faith will sustain you. How awesome to see a medical professional with so much faith is God. We have always known there was something very special about you. :-) God, please heal Baby Thomas, and let his wonderful parents take him home. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Paula Smoak
Praying for baby Thomas today!!! He's already a
ReplyDeleterock star!!! Praying for you and TJ as well.
God is good.
Holly Humphries
God Be With You. We are Praying and baby Thomas, Mom and Dad.....
ReplyDeleteGood to hear the news been checking on updates. We know an Awesome God who is able to do all things. Will be praying that Thomas grows stronger each minute. Janet Tate
ReplyDeleteWe know there is so much ahead but on this Thanksgiving morning we can be thankful for all that is behind you. We heart Thomas too ! With much love and many prayers, Diddy and Rolfe
ReplyDelete