A snuggle in bed with dad. Sadly, the bed is in the pediatric intensive care unit of the hospital.
My sweet grandson, Austin, needs heart surgery. He goes in for an artifical heart tomorrow. The artificial heart will be a bridge to a heart transplant.
This picture of Austin and his mom (my daughter Christine) was taken on a much happier day. I can’t wait to see Austin laugh like this again.
I expect to be at the hospital all day tomorrow and will more than likely be spending a lot of time there over the next few days. I will close my Etsy shop tomorrow morning and, at this time, I have no idea when I will reopen.
Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
This is such a difficult time for all of you. I pray that the medical care is the best possible and the surgery goes well. Young people bounce back from these things much better than us older folk. Hearing your story makes me realize how we take so much for granted. Hugs to you and Austin. I’m not sure if it’s possible but if I can do anything to help with your etsy shop or anything, please let me know.
Thank you, Julie.
Yes, such a difficult time. At times we have faith that all will go well and at other times it feels overwhelmingly devastating. I am afraid of tomorrow and of the tomorrows after that but there is no way out of, or around, this. We have no choice but to walk straight into it and through it…one day, one hour, one minute at a time – and try to continue to keep the faith and trust that all will be well in the end.
It’s very sweet of you to offer to help with my Etsy shop. Fortunately, we don’t rely on the income that my online shops generate and it won’t be a hardship to close up shop for as long as is necessary.
We are truly blessed that Austin is receiving treatment in a world-renowned children’s hospital. It is also a blessing that all of the medical expenses for Austin’s care are covered by our excellent Canadian health care system.
Hugs.
Julie
Big Hugs Julie to you , Austin and your family ! I will pray !
I just discovered your website today. I’m so sorry for what your sweet Austin and family are going through. I do pray and I believe in miracles. Your family and Austin will be in my prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
I am praying for your grandson and for you and your family. May our Lord give Austin complete recovery and may He give all of your family peace that all will be well. May He use this to draw you all nearer to Him, and may you feel His love and His comfort.
In His love,
Sue
Julie,
I hope the surgery went well, that Austin is no longer experiencing such pain, and that there is some measure of respite from worry as you all wait for a donor heart. Whereas I used to visit this blog daily to see what lovlies you offered, I come now with hopes of reading good news of Austin and your family. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much for the continued thoughts and prayers. Surgery was delayed but went ahead yesterday, November 17th. Austin is recovering as well as can be expected for what he has gone through but is still under close watch in intensive care. The surgical team attached a VAD (Ventricular Assist System) to Austin’s heart. If all goes well, and the right side of his heart can work on its own, the VAD will be enough to bridge him to transplant.
There are daily updates on Austin’s progress on the open facebook group page, Prayers for Austin, here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/192955124174958/
I can’t even begin to explain how difficult it is to live this heartbreaking experience.
Julie
How is little Austin doing?
Hi Julie,
There have been some scary moments and some very sad moments but, overall, Austin is mostly in good spirits these days and recovering from heart surgery as well as can likely be expected. Although he has times of fear and uncertainty, he appears to be accepting and adapting to his new way of life (the ventricular assist device in his heart is attached to a battery pack that is outside his body – connected by a tube that exits from his abdomen). I believe Austin will be in the hospital for several weeks before he is able to return home but if all continues to go well, he will eventually be able to return home (unlike patients on the Berlin heart).
Even though his mom and dad have been with Austin almost 24/7 since he’s been in the hospital, they will have to take a 30-hour training course on how to properly take care of him with the VAD before he is released from the hospital. When Austin is ready to leave the hospital, it won’t happen all at once. It will only be for short periods of time at first, leading up to longer periods of time spent at home.
Julie
I can’t even imagine going through this as a parent. My son’s burst appendix was worrisome enough. The parents must be just exhausted and have no time for anything else, including themselves and each other. Please let them know that, although I don’t know them, I do feel for them and wish you all a happy result with Austin’s return home. I think of that little boy often.
Thank you, Julie. I will let them know.
Their faith definitely helps my daughter and her husband get through each day. At the end of one particularly difficult day, about ten days ago, my daughter touched my heart when she said, “It’s been a hard day but there’s always something to be thankful for”.
Julie
Julie – I’m just seeing this post about your Grandson Austin, I will add my prayers to the others. Such a hard thing to watch children go through health trials. They are often much stronger than we could ever think of being, and we learn from them. ~ Abby
Thank you Abby. I agree.
Julie