one life saved, one life lost

So first I’ll start with our very praiseworthy news…Madden’s surgery was a success and we are at home tonight!  His heart will always beat at least 80 beats per minute.  Oh how I love that news!  Madden was a trooper.   Despite my attempt to keep him sleeping Friday morning, Madden was Chatty Kathy the whole way to New Orleans!  I think he enjoyed the one on one attention from momma and daddy.  Not to mention when Grandmama, Grandaddy, G.G. and Big Pop got there….he was in heaven!

All smiles!

Before they took him back to the operating room, they gave him a sedative so the separation wouldn’t be so hard for him.  Yeah…I don’t think it was hard at ALL (for him!)  That little dude was so loopy and giddy, I think he would have even let Santa Claus himself take him back.  This made it SO much easier on us.  Still one of the hardest things though.

His surgery lasted about 1 1/2 hours and we got to see him about 30 minutes later.  He was still heavily sedated because they wanted him to lay still and flat for at least 6 hours.  So it wasn’t until the afternoon until we got to see those pretty blue eyes of his.  He was pretty groggy and uncomfortable the rest of that day and night.  I did get to spend the night with him in the PICU so that was another blessing.  We had a better day and night Saturday and this morning his drain was pulled and we were discharged!  I want to say a huge THANKS to Dr. Setty, and all the nurses and staff at Oschner Medical Center that took such special care of our little man!  Sincerest thanks!

Soon after surgery, heavily sedated

One of the few smiles we captured after surgery

Madden is still really sore and weak from his surgery.  So please continue to pray for his recovery and that his incision and abdomen stay protected these next few weeks. 

Now to get to the blog post title.  Friday morning, Madden’s heart was “fixed.” Around the same time Friday morning,  our dog, Lucy was run over by a car and killed.  Ugh.  Not my sweet Lucy.  Nick and I got Lucy a couple years after we got married.  She was the dog I always wanted! A total lap dog.  The kids loved her too.  Ugh.  I got the call late Friday evening.  I wanted to breakdown.  I did a little.  But then I looked over at my sweet little man and I saw his new and improved heart beating in his chest.  Thank you Lord. 

I loved you, Lucy.  I will miss you, Lucy.  I will miss your spastic greetings at the door.  I will miss watching TV with you curled in my lap after the kids have gone to bed.  I will miss your barks letting me know of visitors (except if the kids were napping).  I will miss you “cleaning” up under the table for me after the kids eat a meal.  I will miss carrying you up the wood stairs because for whatever reason, you were too scared to go up by yourself.  I will miss seeing the kids play with you. I will miss walks with you and the kids even if you did get tangled around mailboxes and trees.  I will miss you being snug as a bug by my side at night.  You were a good dog.

R.I.P. Lucy Lambe

Tonight I’m thankful to kiss my four beautiful children goodnight.

Love,
Kami