One small step back and leaps forward!

Austin is doing so well!!! He truly has shown himself to be our hero this week! What an amazing little boy with such a great spirit!

This afternoon Austin had a slight reaction to some medication he was given. The rash lasted off and on most of the afternoon but seems under control tonight. He was also not having as much urine output as they wanted, thus had to reinsert the Foley catheter. But even with these minor set backs this afternoon, Austin is doing really well!

Heather was able to hold him some this afternoon and Austin especially enjoyed that. He was also able to enjoy a snack of Goldfish crackers and juice to then be followed by a great meal tonight. This was the first he has eaten since surgery but is handling it well.

After a little Disney Cars movie thus evening, Austin is now resting well.

Be praying for him tomorrow as they remove his chest / drainage tubes. Pray they'll also be able to remove the catheter for good and even begin to wean him off oxygen. As these things happen tomorrow there is a great chance he'll be transfered to a regular room! I'll be sure to keep you updated, and will also try to post some pictures from today. So stay tuned!!!

It's a new day and a PINK Austin!

Austin had a great night. He slept well and has already had several IVs disconnected this morning. He also got to sit up in bed briefly this morning and even try to use the potty! We're all very encoraged by how well he is doing.

He still has his chest tubes (for drainage) and will probably have them through tomorrow. If he continues to do well tonight they may will move him out of the critical care unit at some point tomorrow.

I will update again later on this afternoon.

the ventilator is out and Austin is stable!

The ventilator was removed about 2 hours ago. Austin is breathing well on his own with a little help from oxygen. We're so proud of him!!!
He is also doing a GREAT job of communicating with us! He is still very much "out of it" with sedation and pain meds. But he will respond when spoken to and is hanging in there.
We can tell he is very uncomfortable but he's handling it well.
Pray that all will rest well tonight and continue to do well tomorrow.

I know we say this a lot, but, thank you for walking this road with us!

Update #6

Austin is out of OR and in CVICU. He is stable but still not awake and still on ventilator. He's hanging in there.

Andy & Heather are doing well, but are tired. Pray for renewed strength. Pray for peace in the coming days.

Stay tuned for updates.

Update #5

His chest is closed and he should be out of the OR within the next hour. We just met with Dr. Knott-Craig and he was pleased with surgery. He said Austin looks good and is doing well. He is still on the ventilator but hopefully will be off at some point before end of day.
We will get to go back and see him in the next hour or so and I'll update again soon.

Your prayers are getting us through today. Thank you!!!

Update #4

Dr. Knott-Craig is closing Austin's chest now. It'll be another hour or so and we should be able meet with the doctors.
Austin continues to do well and is stable.

Update #3

Austin is off the bypass machine. Still in surgery but continues to do well.

Update #2

Austin is on the heart bypass machine and they're in his heart. He continues to do well.

Update #1

We just got word that Dr. Knott-Craig has begun surgery.

Austin is with the pre-op team now. We'll have another update in about an hour.
Austin was full of energy and seemed happy. He went with the nurses with no tears and seems well.

Join us in praying for the team of nurses and doctors. God is a great God and we're trusting Him in guidance of the team and care of Austin.
Thank you for joining us as we trust the same God!

We're set for 7 a.m... updates coming.

We're headed to Memphis

We are on the way to Memphis now Pray for us that everything goes well. Austin is currently looking at a picture of Dr. Knott-Craig (his surgeon). The picture is of Dr. KC holding Austin when he was a baby. We told Austin that Dr. KC will fix you up and make your heart stronger. And also give you your "third zipper" (scar).

Austin is also showing a face of uncertainty because he sees us being so emotional. We are ready to get this done and move on with our lives. We have been under different difficult weathers and seasons up to now. Heather and I are not ready to see how much Austin will have to suffer for this operation. Its more harder for us to accept knowing Austin does not understand pain's purpose in our lives. Suffering is a powerful tool from God to help us understand that we need God.

May we live one day at a time, and praise God in every second of it!

-Andy, Heather, and Austin
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Austin's surgery is scheduled first thing tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to keep the blog as updated as possible- so stay tuned for updates. We really appreciate your prayers and support! Thank you!

"Chillin" and waiting...

Did someone say "surgery?"