One week from surgery and we are back to almost normal! Which means no sleeping...

These bandages and pajamas - far behind us now!

Upon our discharge from the hospital the doctor gave mommy and daddy very explicit instructions:

"He (meaning me) can do anything he wants."

Ok so let me get this straight. I just came out from under the knife. My heart was stopped, cut open and repaired, placed back and made to beat again. But I can do whatever I want to do.

"If he has shortness of breath, he should stop whatever activity he is engaging in."

And then there's the issue of that red/pink line down my chest.

"Wash the scar every day. If you see any discharge, or if it looks infected come to the emergency room."

Ok, so what about school?

"Oh, that? No way. He needs to get permission from the surgeon first. Schedule an appointment to see him in a few weeks."

Ok, so again, let's get this straight: I can run, climb, be a general monkey and do "whatever I want/am able to do" but just don't go to school where I will be sitting for eight hours straight "resting" (except for my brain) rather than going stir crazy at home or climbing the walls there.

Perhaps that is because of infections and colds, but still. Let's not exaggerate.

Nevertheless as I embark upon my journey of recovery we sit here a week later in shock and awe. I occasionally need pain medication, but rarely.  I've stopped pointing at my chest and walking slightly stooped as I did those first few days. I've even stopped sleeping because, what with a a super-powered heart and all, I don't need as much rest as I did before.

Rest? Wait, I've never actually been one to sleep much anyway. I am on true hospital lag, meaning just a few hours hours of sleep can launch me through a long day with ease. Which really means that I am back to my pre-op self!

So physically I am charging ahead. Each day I look less and less like a human who has gone through surgery.

I can navigate the iPad as expertly as I did before the op!

Admittedly, I am a bit traumatized by the scars that are healing on my chest. They are a stark reminder that I really did freak everyone out, including myself, a week ago with record levels of stress in preparation for surgery.

Basically, if you saw me today you would think I were lying about OHS. You would think it was all a ploy to get your attention. The drama was intense and short lived and we never reached our worse expectations in terms of  potential complications and time in the hospital. Now, as we come down from the adrenaline that propelled us through those days, it's hard to believe it ever happened.

And from looking at me today, sans the scar, you would't believe it either.

I must thank you all for your prayers. With God's help I have powered through this sordid tale and am ready to surge on!

Follow @nic_jansezian

On our way, Round 2 commences

 "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?"

Psalm 121:1

Only a champ gives thumbs up on his way to surgery!

My teammates rooting for and praying for me before the big day

It's one of the stranger things in life to walk into a hospital on your own two healthy feet, showing no signs of distress and saying, here I am, open me up and stop my heart for awhile!  I’d almost rather be rushing there with an emergency to justify the scope of it.

Nevertheless, mommy spoke with a most reassuring doctor who gave an astute second opinion: Barring any miracle that had gone on in my chest cavity, the surgery will help me in all sorts of ways, relieving both the heart muscle and the high blood pressure going on inside my heart. So may as well go ahead with it now. The sooner the better in order to avoid long-term damage.

Hugs are helpful like prayers

Relaxed and ready for what lies ahead

When I last did this I was also healthy going in, except I wasn't walking on my own feet yet: I was carried in as a wee 8-month-old baby. Now things will be a little different. Because now my own feet do carry me, and they don't go where they don't want to go.

Let's switch that to a positive: My feet go only where they want. And I'm not much of a follower.

So it will certainly be interesting to what my feet decide to do this morning: lie docilely in the hospital bed or buck like a bronco in protest to the absurdity of it all?

Despite my best resistance, I am sure of one thing. I know where my help comes from. And the truth is that this morning I went in well and easily. I was possessed by a rare and deep inner peace. And many smiles, mainly to dazzle the staff at the OR.

"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:2

(Same as above but for you, Yasmin)

I prayed for them too. After all, they will miss me for a few days

Follow @nic_jansezian

Matters of the Heart Revisited...

I am still scarred from my first surgery.

Oh no, I'm not talking trauma. I was only 8 months old back then.

Oh wait, you're thinking of the long line down my chest? No, not that, although yes, it is still there.

What I meant was the scar on my face from when my unruly fingernails pulled out one of those tubes -- and took out a chunk of my cheek as well. Yes, permanently scarred.

(Mommy: note to self, trim Daniel's nails before surgery. Cut his hair while he's sedated. Life is good.)

Back then, OHS was much easier despite the fact that the actual procedure itself  was way more complicated - a six-hour expedition. But back then there were no other children to worry about (save for Lucas who was an unknown and microscopic presence at the time). Back then, aside from being really cute I was also immobile. And I was probably less impressionable and a tad less independent.

Here are some of those memories as we relive:

Pre-op Day

Update

ICU

Moving into the regular ward

Welcome home! (Don't miss the video which oozes cuteness)

Follow @nic_jansezian

Sweet and Innocent or Bonnie and Clyde? You Decide!

Warning: This blog contains photos that may cause nuclear meltdowns due to its sheer cuteness. Be forewarned and resist screaming aloud in public places. 

Who could resist the radiant smile, checkered dress and pink glasses? I could not.

We don't go to the same school and play dates haven't occurred recently, but every so often I have the good fortune of running into my betrothed, Hallel, even on random street corners.

And how could she resist my blond swirl and
fluorescent orange shirt? Who could?!

And so today, our paths and our starry gazes crossed ... and this cuteness just happened.

Hallel and I have history, in fact our history practically began at birth. During our first year we shared an early intervention program and even a heart surgeon. It doesn't get more intimate than matters of the heart! Now we share a therapy center, although not at the same time.

We also share the auspicious and rare label of going to regular city schools thereby causing bureaucratic nightmares and massive upheaval in the lives of many people not the least of which are our parents!

US?? Sweet innocent little us causing
"bureaucratic nightmares and massive
upheaval"?? Can't be!

Clearly I couldn't contain myself.

Holding hands just isn't enough sometimes!

And this from June 5, Hallel's 5th birthday...

 Do you sense a theme here?

Follow @nic_jansezian

Street Corner Romance

Warning: This blog contains photos that may cause nuclear meltdowns due to its sheer cuteness. Be forewarned and resist screaming aloud in public places. 

Who could resist the radiant smile, checkered dress and pink glasses? I could not.

We don't go to the same school and play dates haven't occurred recently, but every so often I have the good fortune of running into my betrothed, Hallel, even on random street corners.

And how could she resist my blond swirl and
fluorescent orange shirt? Who could?!

And so today, our paths and our starry gazes crossed ... and this cuteness just happened.

Hallel and I have history, in fact our history practically began at birth. During our first year we shared an early intervention program and even a heart surgeon. It doesn't get more intimate than matters of the heart! Now we share a therapy center, although not at the same time.

We also share the auspicious and rare label of going to regular city schools thereby causing bureaucratic nightmares and massive upheaval in the lives of many people not the least of which are our parents!

US?? Sweet innocent little us causing
"bureaucratic nightmares and massive
upheaval"?? Can't be!

Clearly I couldn't contain myself.

Holding hands just isn't enough sometimes!

Follow @nic_jansezian

Laughter = Best Medicine

My smile and I - still ticking

Two years and counting! Today is the second anniversary of my heart surgery. I'm a dazzling success story with a scar as a trophy to prove it. Kudos to my esteemed surgeon, Erez Eldad, who also secured the bright futures of my friends Hallel and Ephraim. You can read about those gory moments here and here and here.

Mommy and abba also claim to have scars from that day and actually celebrated the two-year mark with a bottle of Moscato this evening. I didn't get any though!

Pretty in pink? Lucas doesn't think so!

Purple belly shirt. Hm, not my color (or size)

What is the secret to my success and my healthy heart? Laughter! That's why moments such as these wardrobe malfunctions in the photos above keep us ticking. Both of them illustrate what happens when mommy doesn't provide the people at day care with a change of clothes in the event of mishaps.

And the following videos (take your pick or watch all 5, it is up to  you) show Lucas and I in our daily regimen of laughter/screamfests. I guarantee an upswing in your own health after you watch these - you'll probably be laughing too!

Follow @nic_jansezian

And I Thought I Had it Bad

Note the ring of drool on my shirt

I think I said this last week, but if this isn't teething, I don't want to know what teething is. But then again, at least it isn't open heart surgery! Been there, done that. However, my friend Mattie has his today.

Mattie is about two months younger than me and he has lived in the hospital since he was born! Whew! That, I cannot imagine. Hopefully after this surgery he will be able to finally go home. Please pray for Mattie like you did for me and then Hallel. I will keep you posted, but for more in depth reports from Mattie's mommy, based in Kansas City, USA, go here: http://tracieloux.wordpress.com/

I can't complain too much. But I will a little bit: Yesterday was a particularly grueling day as I drooled enough to fill an ocean. My thumb, other fingers and palm were sore from me gumming them all day. I moaned and travailed throughout the day and sought refuge behind a bottle or Baby Einstein Beethoven. Anything to keep the focus off my mouth.

In the meantime, however, allow me to issue a warning to the adults in my life: Stop prying into my mouth! I have established a moratorium on the "tooth watch" that takes place several times a day whether it is mommy or abba or friends of theirs who pull my lips apart and peer into my mouth in an effort to determine conclusively whether my odd behavior is being stimulated by the emergence of those pearly whites. Now I resist them by squeezing my lips shut and jerking my head back and forth wildly, making a good peek impossible.  

Everyone, of course, is hoping that teeth would mean an end to this minor disruption to my angelic behavior. However, lurking in the back of everyone's mind is the statement of the dentist who said that there is no proof that teething hurts us babies, casting doubt on whether or not there are any teeth popping through my gums at all. Then how would my latest idiosyncrasies be explained? 

Oral obsession

Follow @nic_jansezian

Hallel is Home!

I have good news!

My cute friend Hallel has been home since Sunday evening and I have been remiss in reporting the good news. (I blame the weather - the heat has gone to my head.)

Hallel definitely set a new world record - and of course this is unconfirmed so don't quote me. But after having surgery that began Tuesday afternoon, she was already released from hospital on Sunday. Amazing! AND she is also sleeping well, or at least had been back at the hospital. A to Z on the answers to prayer!

I'll drink to that! Can someone put
champagne in this cup?

I, on the other hand, have spent these last few days seeking refuge in air conditioned spaces. We have experienced some furnace-like days here and I'm dreaming of those moments in the Shalva swimming pool or even my little wading pool.

Follow @nic_jansezian

HALLELujah!

I'm very happy right now - "Hallel-ujah" for a speedy recovery for my friend!

I forgot to mention in my previous post that Hallel means praise in Hebrew. Well folks, it is time to praise the Lord! Hallel is virtually racing toward recovery - less than 48 hours after surgery she was released from the ICU! I think Hallel is intent on setting world records here.


I actually spent four whole nights in the ICU before I moved to the regular ward. Of course, if mommy and abba knew that those nights would be the last ones that they would sleep through the night for at least a month, then they would've suggested I just stay there until I was released from the hospital. 


I am going to have to speak with the surgeon and ask him what the difference was here. If we had the same problem, I want to know what took so long in pulling out all my tubes. I also want to commend all of you for your prayers - they worked 100 percent in my case (thanks again!!) and now have worked 100 percent plus faster than lightning in Hallel's situation! We are getting better at it, I suppose.


And on the bright side, if there can be one when it comes to open heart surgery and hospitalization, Hallel is spending the (thus far) hottest week of the summer in an air conditioned building. Surely that is a relief. As you can see from the pictures, I have only one cool-down option on these broiling days:

SOS: 90 degrees outside, 90 degrees inside the apartment

I tried swimming but I didn't get very far

It is just nice to cool off a bit. I am a happy baby. 

Follow @nic_jansezian

UPDATE - Praying for Hallel

Meet my friend Hallel

UPDATE 3, July 19, 9:15 p.m. Israel time: Hallel is out of surgery and in the ICU! The surgery went well and she did great. But don't let up on the prayers - ICU is called Intensive Care Unit for a reason. 


UPDATE 2, July 19, 4:30 p.m. Israel time: Hallel is undergoing surgery right now. It began at around 3 p.m. our time. Her mommy and abba are in the waiting room sending updates as we all sit on the edge of our cribs awaiting good news, which we are quite positive that we will receive. You are a trooper, Hallel, and so are your parents!

Hallel and her abba on their way
to the operating room. 

UPDATE, July 18, 10 p.m. Israel time: Hallel's surgery has been postponed from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. making her fasting a lot harder during day time and the waiting time a lot harder on her parents plus making it the second operation of the day for the surgeon. Please pray for all of these above situations! Very difficult. Plus pray for the emergency surgery that is preempting Hallel's.


Tomorrow, July 19, my friend Hallel will be going to the same hospital, to see the same surgeon, to fix the same heart problem in the same operation that I had on May 1. Lots of "sames." Mommy said that also means the same stress for Hallel's parents and the same excruciating time in the waiting room.


So that brings up some more sames: The same requests for prayers! Please, everyone, pray for my friend Hallel tomorrow and during the recovery time afterwards. She is about 13 months old and she wears cute pink glasses. We met at Shalva. And we celebrated her first birthday together. Her mommy, Gaby, is the friendliest person in all of Jerusalem! Hallel has three older siblings. So Gaby and her husband will have to split time between the hospital and home and juggle lots of responsibilities and lack of sleep for the next several days. 


Here are some specific requests:
1. Pray that Hallel is at peace during this time even though she is a smart baby and knows something big is happening.
2. Pray that the hands of the esteemed surgeon, Erez Eldad, are led by God and that he does a great job. 
3. Pray for Hallel's parents and family for them also to be at peace knowing Hallel is in good hands.
4. Pray that all the logistics of pick-ups and food drop-offs and babysitters works out the way it is supposed to for the family.
5. Pray for a speedy recovery for Hallel immediately following the surgery.


Also pray that Hallel doesn't follow in my footsteps the month following the surgery when I took my new pumping heart to all new levels and NEVER NEEDED TO SLEEP (emphasis mommy's).


We know Hallel is going to be fine, but we also know it is going to be a rough few days for Gaby and co. Hallel will be snoozing, so she'll be okay for awhile. I will definitely keep you posted on her progress as the week unfolds. Thank you, friends!

Here Hallel and I are having a face off.

A trio of fun (me, Hallel and Ephraim)

I will be holding her hands (in the spirit)
while she goes through the operation.

God bless and Godspeed Hallel! You will do great!

Follow @nic_jansezian

A Clean Bill of Health

This photo has nothing to do with the following post. But it is cute.

On Sunday, I had my six-week checkup after my heart operation and I am happy to say that everything is just peachy in there. The fun doctor said I don't have to see him for six more months and then after than only once a year just to make sure everything is still kosher.


I will miss these appointments. For one, I was already a budding cardiologist who helped conduct my own ultrasounds. As soon as they shut the lights, I know what is coming. My eyes go wide to adjust to the darkness. Then the remote control with the gel is placed on my chest. At that point I launch into action helping to guide the probe. I am impressed with the high tech equipment too and the opportunity to hear my own heartbeat pulsate throughout the room on the loud speakers. 


I will also miss seeing the cardiologist, Prof. Azariah Rein. He is by far the funnest doctor out there. We have the best appointments ever. He sings, I dance. He chirps like a bird. He allows me to help him during procedure while explaining to me all the intricacies of the heart, including my two vena cavas!   He sings dictation - in opera - which makes it much more interesting than mere rote analysis of my heart.


You know what, let me show you what I am talking about. This should be much more interesting than just reading my musings.

Some highlights included "nice patch," "perfect repair" and "no leakage whatsoever." All good news!

Follow @nic_jansezian

Catching Up

Taking a nap on my way out of the hospital

It's been awhile since my last blog. I'd chalk it up to my ongoing recovery, but as you know I have convalesced like a superstar and all is quickly becoming a distant memory! It is mommy who is still recuperating and thus went on strike from posting my musings for a few days as she stumbled around the apartment like a zombie. I've heard her wonder things like, "Why does he need only six hours a sleep (a day!!!) while I need at least six in a row?"


I'm suffering from an ICU-induced form of jet lag where my nights and days are confused. As a valiant warrior in the realm of sleep, I have managed to stay alert most of the day and most of the night. But now, a couple of days back into reality, I am slowly adapting to natural lighting once again.


Also, due to my tune-up and my new super-duper functioning heart, my appetite now has the makings of a good Italian mama's boy as I consume copious amounts of baby food and then top it off with whatever is on my parents' plates that I find edible. If my parents thought I was a hungry boy before, they are now worried about keeping up with me. It is a whole new world when mommy has to remember to bring additional food with us as we head out for the day.


And, most importantly in my recovery, I am spending lots of quality time with Mimi and GongGong. Mimi comes running over to our apartment first thing in the morning to get in some time with me before the "Daniel hog" arrives. Because once GongGong shows up, I am "gone gone." Mommy is getting a little concerned over all the holding of me that is happening. She mentioned a word - "spoiled." We'll see what that means next week after the grandparents have returned to New York!

The "Daniel Hog," the "Lap Hog" and me!

Meanwhile, I'm still working to remove all the tape residue from every square inch of my body. While I was in the hospital, all the wires were strategically held in place by tape in order to challenge my resistance against pulling them out. Apparently they needed a lot of tape. Mimi suggested using "goo gone" while GongGong thought gasoline would be more effective. I think they were joking. Thus far, neither has been implemented and we are waiting on the soap and water to take effect.

All the grandparents  in the hospital garden
waiting for me to awake from my nap

I fall asleep in random places, like on
Dee's shoulder totally out of the blue!

I have reacquainted myself with my stroller and have
even traveled to Mordor already

And I am reacquainting myself with my toys

Our "welcome home" shot on Sunday

Follow @nic_jansezian