A little bit about Dr. Sitaram Emani, the surgeon who operated on Wes. First a glamor shot found online…

He’s a very pleasant, somewhat soft-spoken man who is obviously well thought of in the hospital. Interestingly, Wes’ Pediatrician, Dr. Jim Saperstone knows Dr. Emani because he operated on Dr. Jim’s brother several years ago. His brother, who is in his late 60’s, was born with a congenital heart defect which normal cardiac surgeons typically do not operate on, hence the involvement of Dr. Emani.

Dr. Emani attended Northwestern, then Harvard Medical School then a residency at Duke University. My brother Josh, a rabid Syracuse fan, reluctantly admitted that his feelings toward Duke may have softened slightly after hearing this news. I do know who I will be rooting for in the final four games tomorrow. Go Duke!

A team of cardiac fellows that specialized in heart pacing stopped by this morning.
After fiddling with the external pacemaker for a while and making small adjustments, the attending in charge of the group turned to us and said ‘if I had to make a bet I would say he won’t need a pacemaker’. They seem pleased with the conductivity around his heart, he just needs some time to figure it out. We are fully prepared for the need for a pacemaker, but his statement provided a nice little boost to the morning.

Emily and I both commented that if anyone won’t need a pacemaker it will be Wes. He didn’t need surgery when he was born, when the doctors thought he most likely would. He didn’t need medication or a preliminary procedure and he never turned blue or had shortness of breathing, which constantly baffled his cardiologist. As mentioned yesterday, Wes is a fighter and he’s going to get through this procedure his way.

Yesterday and last night were uneventful, which is always a good thing in the cardiac ICU. We kept Wes company, venturing out for lunch and then home for dinner and sleep. He stayed just as he should and is still sedated and paralyzed (intentionally), with a breathing tube. He’s on a cooling blanket because his temperature creeps up when they take him off. It’s not a fever or a concern, the doctors are just very particular in what they like to see (as they should be!). He is also still being paced for now while his heart is getting used to its new configuration and is healing from surgery. Green Sheep and Penguin are snuggling with him.

Dr. Emani stopped by at the end of the day yesterday. It sounds like everything Wes is doing is fine.

We’ll stay the course and Wes will do his thing. It’s actually kind of peaceful having him “asleep” for now. It’s the quietest we’ll ever see this kid since he’s normally a firecracker. And to think that his energy levels are supposed to increase after surgery…

Meanwhile, this 3 foot tall party is on his way. Look out, Boston.