Well here we are...

It's probably about time I sent out a message to the outside world.  Let me just tell you how indebted I feel to you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.  We feel your prayers, I assure you.

Yesterday was an intense and eventful day.  Caleb was scheduled to have a heart cath yesterday morning, but when he got into the cath lab and started the anesthesia, he went into cardiac arrest.  Fortunately, after 3 minutes they were able to revive him but of course everyone realized his heart is very weak and sick, more so than we knew.  We are so thankful that he didn't go into cardiac arrest at home, or while we were out trick-or-treating... thank goodness it happened here, and now.  

Over the course of the day, it became apparent to everyone that Caleb's heart was no longer even strong enough to consider more surgeries or repairs.  The only real option for him is to have a new heart altogether.  St Vincent's does not do heart transplants, so we've been moved to Riley Children's Hospital.  Right now, Caleb simply has to recover from what happened yesterday; they also need to make sure no damage was done to his other systems.  So far it looks like no permanent damage has been done but they'll be doing some tests to be sure of that.  Caleb is very sick and weak but he is stable for now.  The immediate goals for him are to be able to take out his breathing tube and see if he can breathe on his own.  If that is successful, the next step is to stop his sedation and allow him to wake up.  I am dreading that step.  He has started to wake up a few times on his own and it's awful to see how scared and upset he gets, even in just a few short moments. I know it's a necessary step in his recovery, though, and we'll focus on that.

The process of getting a heart transplant is a huge ordeal.  We met today with the transplant team for the first time and we were encouraged because we realize it's going to give Caleb another chance at life.  However, it's a long process and we have to walk one step at a time.  Caleb isn't even on the list yet but the process has begun and at the start of next week, we'll be moving forward.  For now, the doctors are focused on letting him rest and recover for the weekend and working on the initial paperwork to get him on the transplant list.  We will be moving in to the Ronald McDonald House here in the next few days and we will get to stay there for the duration of Caleb's time here.  

This is a crazy time, and we are mostly just trying to keep going one step at a time.  We are so thankful he is still alive and that right now it looks like there is hope that he could receive a transplant down the road.  I know this update is succinct, but I at least wanted to give some basic details.  We have moments of despair and moments of total peace and I think that's normal.  The ups and downs are intense but we're really focusing on one day, maybe even one hour, at a time.  

The support and love we feel from everyone is so amazing... it's keeping us going.  Even in the worst moments, God has helped us to feel His presence.  We are focusing on the things we have to be thankful for.  

Things to pray for today:
1- that Caleb would be able to come off the breathing tube successfully
2- that Caleb would stay stable
3- that God would give us peace of mind to handle all the information we're receiving right now

Much love to you all from our family.  We'll be more regular with updates soon, once we get settled in here.