The Waiting Game

We are now 36 weeks along. Only 4 weeks left for full term.

We met with Dr. MacDonald, our surgeon, last week. He sat with us for about an hour and a half discussing the different scenarios we might take with Eli. We have complete confidence in Dr. MacDonald and the surgeons at CHCC. One thing he did confirm is that we won't know anything for sure until after Eli is born. We won't know what procedures, surgeries, and treatments will be taken until then.
Essentially, here's the tentative "plan". I will go into labor naturally. No planned C-section, YAY! In fact, the cardiologist and surgeon both want Eli to go full term and through vaginal delivery if at all possible. His lung development is extremely important, so an early C-section is not in his best interest. Just after delivery, he will be given a medication that will keep his PFO open. We will have the opportunity to have a little time with him before he will be transported to CHCC.
When Eli gets to CHCC, Dr. MacDonald and Dr. Heragu, his cardiologist, will be waiting. They will do an ultrasound on Eli's heart and an X-ray on his lungs. The results from these tests will determine if he needs the immediate balloon cathedar to open up the PFO. They will also tell us what type of surgery and how soon it will happen.
Dr. MacDonald did give us all the scenarios, but really thinks we will have to take the path of the Norwood procedure. This will probably happen 3-10 days after birth.
So now, we are playing the waiting game. We wait until Eli decides he is done cooking. We wait to see what his heart does on its own. We wait to see how God is going to use us and Eli to bring him Glory.