As many of you know, Grair has had a difficult time recovering from RSV. His oral intake of breast milk was barely at half his needed amount, and his requirement for oxygen has not dissipated, in fact it has increased. Three weeks removed from St. Elizabeth’s, and those issues typically should be gone.

After ruling everything else out, Dr. David was convinced Grair’s heart had another issue. So on Friday afternoon, we took Grair to Dr. Martin’s to run an ecocardiograph. It was during this analysis that we found the issue. It was an issue that Dr. Martin had never seen before, and she immediately had to consult with Dr. Hammel (Grair’s heart surgeon). They looked at the eho (Dr. Maritn in Lincoln and Dr. Hammel in Omaha), and concluded that Grair has a pseudo-aneurysm.

This pseudo-aneurysm is found at the lower spot where the pulmonary valve was stitched during Grair’s first heart surgery. One of the stitches is missing (either through a faulty stitch or through an infection), and is causing blood to pump into the surrounding tissue. The tissue is acting like a pocket for the blood, and is slowly expanding like a balloon. As it expands, it starts to add pressure on the left pulmonary artery and the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs.

This mechanical issue explains his oxygen requirement, and it is causing him to fatigue quicker which is likely the issue for the feeding. So Grair had recovered from RSV, he just had this issue that was showing similar symptoms.

To fix the issue, Dr. Hammel is going to need to do another operation. He will go in, close the leak and while he’s there he’ll replace the pulmonary valve again. A less complicated surgery, yet equally crucial. This will take place on Monday. Grair will go back on full bypass, but might not need his heart stopped.

In the meantime, Grair has continued to act just like the Grair we have known all his life. He continues to smile, grab his toys and pacifiers, and “cooing.” He is not in pain, and is holding up well. He has shown his resiliency in the past, and it’lll be put to the test again. Please pray for him as he undergoes yet another surgery.