Procedure update

Well Carter's procedure got off to a very slow start. They walked back to the operating room at 2pm. Our last update was at 4:30pm and they said everything was going well. They are putting a stent in the right pulmonary artery. I haven't heard about the left pulmonary artery. But the nurse said everything is going well. It definitely sounded very positive. Thank you all for your continued prayers!!!!

Getting ready to leave for Peoria.

Preop appointment.

Carter had a preop appointment for his cardiac catheterization. When he has a dr appointment in Peoria it's a tradition to eat at Olive Garden. Here's. Carter and Matt enjoying salad and breadsticks!!!

Back to school, PE, and recess......yeah!!!!

        Carter had a wonderful appointment with Dr. Fortuna yesterday!!!! He has been release from the cardiac surgeon and he can return to recess and PE!!! He is back in school full time and his restrictions have been lifted. Yeah!!! Hard to be.lieve it's been 6 weeks since his surgery. He s doing amazing. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We could not have made it through the last 6 weeks without all of you. Thank you!!!

            Thank you so much to Team Carter and everyone who helped make Carter's benefit a huge success!!!! It was absolutely amazing how our family, friends, and community came together to show their support and love. We will never ever forget all the prayers, cards, phone calls, letters, care packages, gifts, food, donations, and countless other acts of kindness shown to Carter and our family during the time. It is amazing how wonderful and generous people are. You are all wonderful and have left an impact on our life that we will never forget!! I wish we could have given everybody at the benefit a huge hug and a personal thank you, unfortunately there wasn't enough time in the evening. I am truly sorry for that. You all have a special place in our hearts and we appreciate everything you have do for our family. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

    A BIG thank you to TEAM CARTER!!!! You have been working so hard. We greatly appreciate all the time and hard work you have put into Carter's benefit. You are amazing!!! We love you all so much!!! Also thank you to my parents, uncle Turk, Aunt Carolyn, Uncle Fran, and all their friends who helped prepare the food for tomorrow. Thank you Kelly Liedtke, Jessica's Grandma Pat H., and Meg Barr for donating food. There are so many people who have been hard at work this week. I am sure I forgot someone (I am sorry if I have left anyone out). As you cab tell I am so overjoyed. Words can not express how I am feeling tonight. I am excited, nervous, and completely thankful to everyone for helping with Carter's benefit. Matt and I have also spoke at great lengths about Carter attending the benefit. We also spoke with his doctor. Initially he was not going to be able to attend. Since he is doing so well his doctor gave us the OK to us our discretion. So tomorrow Carter will be at the benefit at 5pm. Probably for 30-45 minutes and then again around 8:30 or 9pm to hear his Grandpa Pete's band Filthy Frank play. He will be there until about 9:30. We have to limit exposure to infection. So we are going to wear a mask and do lots of hand washing. We hope to see u all tomorrow. With Carter doing so well this has turned into a celebration. We want to celebrate how wonderful our friends family and community. And show our appreciation. We would not have made it through without each and every one of u. THANK YOU!!!!

1st Postop Visit

   Yea!!!! Carter's appointment with the surgeon went really well. His labs showed that he was dehydrated. Which wasn't a big surprise since he is on the diuretic Lasix and he isn't drinking a lot of fluids. So Dr. Fortuna cut back his Lasix to 3 times a day.  Matt and I were also worried about his blood pressure medication. They had doubled the dose from before surgery. After talking with Dr. Fortuna he decided to go back to his presurgical dose.......yea!! He also removed his steri strips from his chest and his stitches from his chest tube sites. Nothing but healing wounds now!! Then we discussed in home tutoring and Dr. Fortuna said.........Carter can go back to school!!!! We do not have to wait 6 weeks. Yippee!!! He said as long as the environment is controlled and of coarse NO recess or gym class for 6 weeks then he felt it was ok for him to return. He still has to avoid infection. So he wants him to avoid crowds. He said to be extra careful. He can not be around those with coughs, colds, and definitely no one with the flu. I asked about the benefit this Saturday. He was real hesitant. He said it was too hard for us to control the environment. I think we have agreed on him going for dinner and staying for just a little bit. He will have to wear a mask. 7 years ago we should have bought stock in hand sanitizer....lol!!! Carter has an appointment with his cardiologist in Peoria on October 22nd and then a 2nd appointment with Dr. Fortuna his heart surgeon on October 29th!! Again I can not thank you all enough. We are so happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!