We're Outa Here!

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ! Our boy's heart is fixed and we get to come home tonight! Sean is on his way now to pick us up. Doctor Hamel and his Nurse Practitioner had fun with me a littlle by telling me we could leave in the morning--but I didn't fall for it. Doctor Hamel couldn't keep a straight face when I told him "shut up" and laughed. I am so greatful to the wonderful medical team here. Austin is fortunate to be an American while quality healthcare is still available and not rationed as it was for him in China.

Day Four
Austin is not as weak today. He's walking a little and his breathing is not labored as it was before the surgery. They've removed all his tubing and bandages--no more oxygen strip on his nose. His echo and x-ray looked good. The cardiologis says Austin should stay another night--just to be safe. The surgeon hasn't given his opinion yet--and he's the one to give the orders for discharge. I'm hoping he says we can leave tonight and I've relayed that opinion to the surgeon's nurse practitioner. Now I'm just waiting to see what they say.

Day Three

This morning Austin was still very weak and sick to his stomach when eating solid foods.

He really wanted the oxygen tube off his face--but his oxygen readings were going down below 90 quite a few times this morning. The medical staff has asked that Austin get up and around today because he still has some fluid in the bottom of his left lung. We've been working on that between his naps today (he's very tired). By late afternoon--he was at the point where they could remove his oxygen tubing and that really freed him up to be held and walked around instead of pushed in a wagon. He especially liked the bare face and often presented it to me (mommy) for kisses. I'm crossing my fingers he'll be ready to go home tomorrow. Although this morning when they were making the rounds, they said it may be Friday :(

Gotta run--Mom and son are going to skype daddy and sister soon!

Out of ICU

Austin has been moved to a new floor--no longer in Intesive Care.

Day Two

Austin took his breathing tube out this morning at 4 AM so they left it out and are just giving him oxygen through his nose. They've removed a lot more from him today and so far he is adjusting well. He isn't whimpering as much now with the cathater removed. His breathing is a little shallow because of the chest pain.

He still has the restraints on since there are monitors attached to him for blood pressure and oxygen readings.

He had some water, juice, and half of a popcycle around noon.

This morning during rounds the doctors said a possible Thursday discharge date.

Update

Had a little bit of a complication at the hospital. As they were monitoring him after the surgery (but before they woke him up), they saw that his chest was filling up with fluid. It's apparently not uncommon after this type of procedure, but it will often stop on its own and Austin's wasn't stopping. They had to take him back down to surgery and reopen the incision on his chest to find what was bleeding.

It was apparently pretty easy to find when they opened him back up, though - it was bleeding pretty bad. They sutured up the aorta that was bleeding and made sure there wasn't anything additional going on before they closed him up again. He's back in the recovery room now, so we're going to try to get some sleep, too.

Been a long day for all of us.

At the Hospital

Well, we've been at the hospital since about 9:00 this morning. After all the tests and preparations, they took him into surgery at 1:00. That was about four and a half hours ago.

The nurse just came in and said they did the post-op echo, and they're happy with the way his repaired heart is functioning. So, they're starting to close him up. It'll probably take another hour or so to get everything sewed up, then they'll be ready to move him to the recovery room and we'll be able to get into see him.

Right now, things are looking good!

Home at Last!

We made it! It was about 30 hours from when we left our hotel in Guangzhou to when we walked in the front door at home. No real problems or delays this time - although our final flight from Chicago to Sioux Falls was delayed about 45 minutes, and only one of our three checked bags seems to have got onto the plane, but that's really no big deal. All that matters is, we're home!


Also had lots of friends and family meet us at the airport. It was really nice to see everybody - after a long time away like that, it's good to be with the people you love.


Anyway, just a couple of pictures here from the day of travel. Otherwise, we'll see everybody soon!

Last Day

Finally, we're all done! Went to the consulate today and got Austin's passport with his visa, and his immigration papers. We're all set to come home!

Now we have to go to bed early, because we have to meet Shiyan to head to the airport at 5:45am.

This will probably be the last blogpost before we get home. Hopefully we won't miss any flights or face any delays tomorrow and we'll get home around 7:30 Friday night.

We'll see you all back in Sioux Falls!

Our last breakfast in the White Swan - it's breakfast on the road tomorrow!

The street vendors near the hotel had some interesting wares. Somehow, I don't think a tiger's paw would clear Customs.


Lots of cats around Guangzhou.

The streets of Guangzhou

Two More Days!

We went to the U.S. Consulate today to sign some paperwork and take an oath on Austin's behalf. All our paperwork is done now - we go back tomorrow afternoon to pick up his passport and immigration papers and then Friday we come home! Yay!

A stray cat that lives near the hotel

Some schoolchildren outside for their morning exercise

Inside the White Swan

Fathers try to position the children for the red couch photo

A red couch photo

The little boy in the front is crying because Austin was picking on him.

The Fields family on the red couch

Out for a long walk in the afternoon

The city of Guangzhou

Our hotel from across the river

Local flora

White Rabbit break

Jasper fixing her brother's hair

Turned out we didn't have to go to the consulate ourselves today - Shiyan took the paperwork and filed it for us. Tomorrow we go take the oath of citizenship on Austin's behalf. Unfortunately, there are no cameras allowed in the consulate, so we can't take pictures of that.

Austin's getting better every day, but he still tends to throw a fit (among other things) when he's not getting his way. And I can't seem to get through to him that the proper order of things is to go into the bathroom first and take his pants down second.

He's turned out to be quite the little ham when the camera comes out, though. He likes to have his picture taken, but he doesn't really like to just be sat down somewhere scenic for a photo.

Anyway, only three more days until we're home!

Some more pictures:

Some Flowers

Getting ready to go to sleep

Austin prepares for his audition for the 2010 Chinese revival of Kriss Kross (let's see who gets that reference!)

Playing with Ba ba.

Jasper breaks out the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Little brothers can be disturbing sometimes.

Only three more days!

More flowers.

You can still buy candy cigarettes in China!

Playing "This Little Piggy" with Mom.

More from Guangzhou

Not a whole lot to report from the last couple of days. Yesterday we just did paperwork. We did all go out to eat at a local restaurant, but Austin was not having a good night and Bobbi had to take him back to the hotel. He just didn't want to sit.

Today we went back to the doctor to have the TB skin test checked. Results were negative, so that's good. Tomorrow is our first consulate visit to start the process of getting Austin his immigrant visa.

Even in China, you can't get away from Starbucks

Jasper's new friend Noel. Noel is from Maryland and will be six in August.

The Swan Room, for adopted children to play in, in the White Swan.

Some Guangzhou Scenery

Sending a message to Guangzhou.

Using Mommy's iPod as a cellphone?

Going out in his Panda hat.