Cardiac Cath Day

V went in for a cardiac catherization – the (hopefully) last step before his wonderful doctors schedule his open-heart surgery – at 7:30 a.m. today.

The procedure is supposed to take about three hours, and then V will be in recovery for about six hours (they go in through an artery in his groin and put him under general anesthesia) while he comes gently out of the anesthetic and the doctors keep pressure on the entry point on his upper thigh.

He was a champ this morning, bright and sunny at 4:30 a.m. when we all rose. Sang sweetly to himself in the car (along with the South African musicians on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album), and then fell asleep on my lap in the waiting room, before rising again and beating Uncle Maury at Go Fish. (He’s a Go Fish shark, don’t let him fool you with the innocent look and long, curly, batting eyelashes.)

We’ll keep you updated as the day progresses.

Thank you for your prayers, intentions and love.

UPDATE: 9:40 a.m. CST
Nurse Diane just told us that Vasco is doing very well, about half-way through the procedure. He’s sound asleep, vital signs strong. Will keep you posted.

UPDATE: 11:42 a.m. CST
V’s out of the procedure room and headed upstairs to chill for a few hours and come out of the anesthesia haze. All went well and we’re waiting to talk to the doctors and see our wee man.

UPDATE: 3:23 p.m.

wee man is still resting at christ. we hope to head home around 6 p.m. doctors were really pleased with what they found today and it looks like they’ll be able to go forward with the kind of open-heart surgery they’d ideally hoped they’d be able to do. we’ll know more tomorrow about when and where.