Most of today has felt like a typical appointment. Our day began at 7:30am, when Leo had blood work done. He was such a trooper with around 4-5 vials of blood taken. Lauren on the other hand was given a cup of apple juice. Next was chest X-rays followed by an ECG.
At the Cardiac Clinic we met with a nurse from the RSV program who reminded us not to let Leo go near any sick people between now and Tuesday, and told us that Leo is a candidate again this year for the RSV prophylaxis, a monthly shot costing around $1500 each, covered by OHIP (thank you Canada!).
We also were visited by the pre-op nurse, anesthesiologist, research nurses, and cardiac surgeons. They all were happy at how well Leo is going into this surgery.
We really enjoyed meeting the cardiac surgeon “fellow”. He said he is new at Sick Kids, coming from “Asia-Pacific” to learn. He is one of four cardiac surgeons in the whole country of “Asia-Pacific”, and was SO thrilled to hear how our plan is to move to his home city to learn his language. He kept saying, “You’re not joking, right?”. Such a nice guy, and we hope we can meet with him again while he is furthering his learning at Sick Kids.
Though it was exciting to meet someone from “Asia-Pacific”, he also reminded us continually how Leo’s upcoming surgery is one of the most complex cardiac surgeries in the world. Sick Kids performs the Double Switch Operation about 1-3 times a year, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but in reality it is as the heart defect that needs this operation is so rare. He reminded us of the risks to this surgery due to being on the bypass machine, stopping his heart, creating a baffle, moving coronary arteries, etc. The five major complications are: Bleeding – he will most likely need a transfusion, Infection – from bypass machine, transfusion lines, people on the cardiac team, etc., Heart failure, Stroke, and Death (5%). Phew. There are some moments during these appointments that you just look at Leo and want to burst into tears!
Around noon we returned to RMH for lunch and a nap for Leo as he was getting pretty fussy.
Our nurse called us when Dr. Van Arsdell was out of the OR, so we returned to Sick Kids to meet with him. Again, he explained to us all of the risks involved with this surgery and answered questions we had. Such a nice guy and we are so blessed to have one of the best pediatric cardiologists in the world doing surgery on Leo!
We have been enjoying our short stay at Ronald McDonald House. A group cooked a wonderful dinner for all the families last night, and we got to see our friends Tania and Aleeda during dinner (please be praying for her as she continues to recover from a heart transplant). We were also given a parking pass to the Sick Kids parking lot, which will save us at least $60! What a neat blessing!
Another huge prayer request would be for Mark. He has been feeling very sick again, so we’re hoping to get an appointment with his doctor before next week. He also has a consultation for a root canal that needs to be re-done on Friday. There’s just a lot going on for him right now! His “illness” is definitely stress-induced.
Tomorrow morning we’ll be headed back home. Then Lauren’s dad and grandpa will arrive on Friday. Monday we return to Toronto for Leo’s heart surgery on the 22nd.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words! Don’t stop praying for us!
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Mark and Lauren 
God Bless you all, we will be praying. We have our friends and church praying also.
Gramma & Grampa B
Prayers for the whole team and of course…for Leo 🙂
We are all on “pins & needles”, prayers said and love to you all sweet Nephew Mark, Lauren & Little Leo. Aunt Peg & Chris
Praying for you all
This is a stretch for you both and your family but not for God the maker of Leo’s body. May faith be the overcoming grace in your lives right now. as you place him in his loving caring hands. blessings and prayer for you all.
Praying for your family and especially for Baby Leo. I am putting him on our church prayer list this morning. Love you all!
Leo is so adorable…Steven and I have been praying steadily for him.
Praying daily for you guys! Can’t wait to see you all. Love you much.
Praying with and for you all!
Thanks for the update! We are all thinking of you guys! The kids are very interested in Leo, so you can count on 5 people praying here!
It did make me cry. Good thing our God is the great healer and we can trust him. Can’t imagine not having that hope.
Reblogged this on my2monsters and commented:
For those praying for my adorable little nephew, here is the update from his pre op appointment yesterday.
Please continue to Pray as he goes in for surgery on Tuesday.
We are praying!
My plan is to be in Toronto on Monday to visit Tanya and Aleeda, so I will stop by to say hello. I’m praying that all goes well!!
Tania said you are coming to visit! That would be great to see you again 🙂 Praying for you and your family 🙂
Praying for your family and the doctors and nurses!
God is faithful, ever-present and able. We stand together in trust
Prayed for Leo and you guys throughout my day today. Lynne