June 29, 2015

Steele Day 7

PICU Day #1

Our newborn son, Steele Jacobs Thwing, has a cardiac syndrome called Hypoplastic Left or HLHS with an interruption in the Aortic Arch. He is undergoing three major open heart surgeries starting today. My wife, Rachel, gave birth to him on June 16th, 2105 around 0630. He is a big guy weighing in at 8lbs. For the past two weeks he has been in the Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. Steele left the room at 8:34 am for his first operation. Leading up to this point has not been an easy road as a parent and a man.

The reason I am recording these events is to help me understand the physiology of the human heart and explain what a parent can expect for the days ahead. I am not an expert in medicine by any means, but I will try and explain my own understanding of the inner workings of human anatomy as best as I can.

Steele was in surgery for over 6 hours today, he survived and is now in recovery at OHSU's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Portland, OR. This is to date the most terrifying day of my life. Rachel and I are relieved that he is on the road to a long recovery, but the surgery was a success. The only concern the surgeons have is his ability of this lungs to function at a normal rate. Because of his condition, the lungs may take some additional support to how much oxygen he needs. He is under the best care possible, it is definitely the most expensive baby sitter that I have ever seen!

We want to thank all of our friends and families who are saying prayers, providing support, and sending positive energy for Baby Steele. Thank you & we love you all.