The Surgery

I see this as I sit here tonight at midnight. It may not be that great of a site to you, but to me, it's living proof that prayers do get answered. As I sit here in the ICU tonight, I am overcome with emotions. I am thankful,sad, gracious, and of course so very very tired. I am so thankful to each and everyone of you for your prayers and support. Paislees surgery started at around 7:00 and ended at 11:30. The surgeon explained that he cut the tumor out of the coronary artery. The tumor was blocking 100% of her artery and even part of it was in the interior wall of the artery. The doctor was shocked and amazed. We thought the tumor was only covering 50% of her inside artery  Paislees heart had grown new arteries to help compensate for the blockage, therefore she was receiving blood flow. The bad part is the small arteries were not enough to compensate for exercise or a lot of stress to the heart. Our surgeon told us we were very lucky, that she would have maybe only survived another month.  Did you hear that, another month??  Your prayers and the wonderful team at Vanderbilt saved my daughters life. Our surgeon has come by several times tonight. During one visit he told Paislee, " you had angels watching over you sweet girl". I firmly believe it 

Paislee was off the vent in less than two hours after surgery. We are still having problems with our oxygen levels and blood pressure, so your prayers are still needed. She is in pain and receiving many pain meds throughout the day and night. We are also on blood thinners and will remain on them for at least six more weeks. They will be in shot form twice a day, so please pray for patience!! It will be very hard giving her shots everyday. I wish I could take her place. It is so heartbreaking to see her in this much pain. We haven't had much sleep so Rick and I are trying to alternate throughout the night. 

Thank you all for your calls, texts, and visits. Thank you to my family for being here today. You were a great support system. Again, thank you all for everything. We have just begun and have a long, long, long road ahead of us!!

We are still in PCICU and will probably be at least another day, and then we might can transfer to another room.