When should I start stressing?

Thursdays surgery is fast approaching and I think my brain is slowly starting to react. I keep getting asked "how are you feeling, no really how ARE you feeling?" or "Are you stressing out yet?". The answers to these questions are fairly simple, I feel very optimistic and I'm not stressed out, yet! I don't want to go in with my head held too high and act like Eli is untouchable. I know that at any second horrible things could happen and life changes in an instant. With that said I refuse to be pessimistic about it either. I trust these doctors and surgeons and have great respect for the work they do.

Rafe and I were talking  and the way we describe Dr. Ilbawi (Eli's heart surgeon) is, he is nothing short of a miracle worker. Obviously he can't save everyone and somethings are beyond his control, but he will never turn a child away. He wants to give all of these babies a shot at life. He gives everyone hope and you just know he will try his absolute hardest to find a fix for these little hearts. I look forward to seeing him this week after Eli's surgery, I may even work up the nerve to give him a great big hug!

Monday, Eli has a 2-3 hour pre-operative physical, should be a ball of fun. They will do blood work and an xray among other tests to make sure Eli is cleared to go for surgery. Dr. Marra the ENT cleared him for surgery last week and said that his vocal cords and throat were good to go. He doesn't want Eli to be intubated for longer than necessary because we don't want to go back to that "scary place" of noisy and labored breathing.

We should be getting a call Wednesday evening to tell us when to get to the hospital for surgery. We are figuring Thursday at 5:30am is when they will want us there since surgery is at 7:30am. Nurse Katie said to plan on a 5 hour surgery, some of that being time to clear out scar tissue, being put on and taken off of the heart lung machine, and about 45 minutes of them watching Eli post surgery to ensure everything is working properly. I may post another blog before then, when I start to freak out :)

We ask that you keep us in your prayers, thoughts and well wishes. Our whole family is grateful for everyone who has kept up with Eli and sent positive feelings his way. Please pray for his surgeons, doctors, and nurses as well! Thank you and Eli sends big kisses your way as well as big smiles!