Surgery Date Set
Our ISP has decided to allow me to access my blog domain once again, after almost two weeks of inaction.
Not surprisingly, a new ISP is just a matter of time now.
So we now have a date for Mr Bump’s open heart surgery for ASD; the 2nd December at Westmead Children’s Hospital. He’ll be in for a week, and need to be kept fairly quiet for about a month afterwards.
No heavy New Years partying for you, this year, little man. 
In January, we’ll be hosting a “school holiday party”. It’ll allow Wren & Mr Bumps to catch up with their friends and the Boyo can show off his scar.
On the surgeon’s advice, we’ll be missing the last 3 weeks of preschool, mainly to avoid bumps and pokes to his chest.
The surgeon has plenty of experience with this particular operation, apparently. He’s made a number of trips to Rwanda with other surgeons & a team of nurses to perform surgery on children there.
In a tent.
In fact, he’ll be returning from doing another stint there, the week before Mr Bump’s op. So our little angel will be in very good hands.
The surgery will consist of a incision of about 2in length down the centre of Mr Bump’s chest, through the breastbone.
His heart will be stopped and his blood pumped by machine.
They’ll go into the right atrium (top right heart chamber) and either sew the hole shut, or patch it with tissue taken from around his heart.
It should take about an hour and a half for the surgeon to do his bit, which is a relatively short length of time for this particular operation. Some surgeries take over four hours.
I’m going to take my cross-stitch, a book and WonderHubby. I doubt I’ll manage to make any use of the first two items during the day, but WH will definitely come in handy for hugs.
Actually, I made it sound like I’m dragging him along, but of course I couldn’t keep him away if I tried. We’ll hold hands and spend the time watching the clock together.
I think I’m going to let Wren have the day off school, too. She’ll be totally unable to concentrate, anyway.
What do you think?
Would she be better off with her Grandma or trying to do her work at school?
Grandma is a good idea actually! Not really into the idea of letting children choose things like this. She’ll have fun with the grandparent and not even realize what is going on. Better for her that way. Wishing you peace.
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Wow! Eva was operated on at Westmead, it’s a great hospital.
I think Wren would love a special day with Grandma, it can get a little stressful at the hospital.
Grandma! If she is at school and isn’t able to handle it, then that’s not good. Grandma can keep her distracted and give her lots of hugs if she gets scared or starts thinking too much.
Any of the times hubby has had a major procedure, I’ve kept the kids home — just in case they have a hard time coping and just in case I need to get to them in a hurry (there have been times I’ve needed those hugs!).
You know I’m thinking of you guys all the time and wishing you the very very best. And I’m so happy to see you online again!
glad to see you are back, Jane!
I know you will be glad when the surgery is behind you and everything is fine! Please keep us posted and get that darn isp fixed …we miss you!
Glad to see your isp has seen sense.. we’ve missed you!
Sounds like Mr Bump is in great hands… I am sure it will all go well. I’d ask Wren what she’d prefer… I am thinking a day off school would be best but she might have other ideas about how she think she’d cope best. If she did choose school I’d make sure the school knew and had the option of calling Grandma if needed….
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Glad to see you back 
I think you should let Wren decide what she’d prefer. You sound very organised and under control:)
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reading your description of the procedure felt like reading what was done to my daughter. will surely pray for ur little one… and i echo the answers above, grandma is the best choice.
Thanks everyone, I feel much better about having Wren stay with Grandma for all the reasons you’ve mentioned.
It’s good to have that feeling confirmed.
A note to Amy & Tina ~
I sound organised? Under control?
Last Wednesday when I informed Mr Bump’s preschool of the situation, I was almost in tears (not in front of him though).
And brave?
I actually feel glad that we have this house move coming up to keep our minds off the surgery, otherwise I’d be a real mess.
Distraction is the best thing for us all, as there’s nothing constructive we can do.
Thank you all for your support and I’ve missed you all as well.
Glad you are back. It must be bittersweet relief to have a date set. I know he will be in good hands at Westmead.
They are lovely there and let you stay with the kids till they go under the general anaesthetic.So kids don’t get too frightened. The clown Drs are very funny.
Mr Bump will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I agree with Wren staying at Grandma’s too - plan lots of distractions.
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Grandma’s sounds good.
I’d go with a day with Grandma over school.
Glad you have a date.
It is scary and daunting.
I’ll be thinking of all of you.
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Wow. I’ll be sending lots of prayers your way that day. I can only begin to imagine how you feel. Big hugs to you.
I say Grandma’s is the place to be.
I vote for Grandma..
I am all caught up with ur blog now. Frm this post on to the start. I wish you good luck with the move and also with Mr Bump’s surgery. I shall pray for it all to go well. you tc.
Glad ou are back! With Grandma or let her choose what she thinks is best! You are in my thoughts, you seem to be very organized and brave (as we have to be as parents).
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