Surgery Complete - Recovery Begins

Soman had her extensive heart surgery this past week on Tuesday. It was a long day, with almost 10 hours of surgery, and some scary moments. The day prior to the surgery was July 4th, and we were intent on Soman having a great day – we finally told her about the surgery, along with our interpreter Abed, at dinnertime. We didn’t go into great detail with Soman about the critical nature of the upcoming surgery or the long hospital stay ahead, but simply told her she was going to the hospital the next day “to have her heart fixed”. It was difficult for Sara and me to see Soman the next evening, following her surgery – this precious little child, in the PICU, with tubes and wires everywhere. The first 18 hours after the surgery, her chest actually remained open, as the OR team feared she might need to be taken back into surgery due to bleeding complications. She was kept completely sedated and paralyzed those first few hours. Thankfully, the bleeding complications subsided and Soman’s chest was closed the next day, Wednesday. I was glad to visit her Wednesday evening, and have her open her eyes and even try to speak with us. Since Wednesday, her progress has been pretty amazing – she’s now alert, drinking, eating, and she even sat up in a wheelchair for awhile today! Sara, Nana, myself, and a cackle of amazing (did I say amazing?) friends and volunteers are taking shifts at the hospital. Soman remains in the PICU now, and will likely be there through the weekend before being transferred to a regular room.

One amazing thing we’ve already noticed since the surgery – Soman’s color… Due to the lack of oxygen Soman was receiving prior to her heart surgery, she had a blue tint, especially on her fingers and toes, as well as around her mouth. Well, our girl is pinker now – with amazingly pink finger nails and toenails. It’s very cool and uplifting to see.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Soman, who is being given a new chance and lease on life.

Bryan