Sarah Mei is in Pediatric Cardiac ICU

Sarah Mei has been in PCICU since surgery on Wednesday. We have so much to be thankful for...a great nursing staff, a skilled surgeon and a supportive physician team in ICU!! Sarah Mei's surgery went very well. As shown on the echo, Sarah Mei had an extra flap of tissue, that is not usually present, that partially blocked the hole in her lower heart chamber. This flap of tissue protected her lungs, from the increased pressure, and literally saved her life during her 1st 19 months. The surgeon was able to just stitch her VSD opening in her heart (due to the extra tissue), and he also patched the ASD (hole in her upper chamber) and rebuilt her valves as planned. A 2nd surgery may be required but that can't be determined for months. We're just so thankful for a successful outcome for this surgery.
Sarah Mei has lost a lot of blood and required a unit of platelets and a unit of blood yesterday. She had a very vascular area in her heart, and we're praying that this is the cause of the bleeding....not another source. Her hematocrit is stable today!! She also has a low-grade fever. At this point they are doing no further testing to determine the cause. Some children run a low-grade fever for a few days after surgery. However, if it continues, they will have to investigate a possible infection. Please pray for God's healing in this area.
Despite these few set-backs, she is scheduled to move to a regular room today. She will monitored by telemetry (a heart monitor that is linked to the nurse's station.) She'll be relieved to be moved because then we will be able to hold her. She cries and says "pa" (her word for please) frequently because she wants us to hold her, but the monitors, IV's, chest tube, etc. have prevented that so far.
God's peace has been with us on a moment by moment basis. And Phil and the other 3 girls have even had some fun times walking around Charleston and seeing the sights.
We can't thank you enough for your love, encouragement and especially your prayers!!