Cardiac catheterization

After a long afternoon (he was gone to the lab for almost four hours!), Jackson is finally back in his room. As the doctors suspected, the vein that had appeared to be open on ultrasound was actually blocked. They made several unsuccessful attempts to open it by dilating it with a balloon, but when this didn't work they placed a stent. The stent worked wonderfully and they were able to see good blood flow right away. They now expect the effusion to resolve quickly...and, Lord-willing, not come back. Unfortunately stents don't grow, so this one will have to be replaced with a larger one in a few years. Also, worst news of all, the blood thinner shots have been restarted and will continue, most likely, for six more months. Ugh. We know it's a small price to pay in the long run, but very hard in the here and now. He finally got into a fitful sleep. Praying for sweet rest and comfort for him, and overwhelmingly grateful to still be holding this boy in our arms.