We are GO for launch!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers!  Our little event has officially begun, Cannon is now in the OR.

This morning went pretty good.  Cannon was scared last night and joined us in bed, but was able to sleep well.  That's a good thing cuz we let him stay up late last night playing in the hotel pool and getting as much play time in as possible; we knew it'd be his last for a month or so.  He got up scared this morning, which opened up a quick lesson on courage: pushing through your tasks even when you're scared.  He did just that.

We had great family time in the waiting room on 17 this morning, everyone got to be together for a time while we waited for 6 AM to come around, then 6:15, then 6:20.  Made us wonder after our last attempt when time ticked by and nothing was happening!  But at 6:30 we were called up to 18 for prep.  As usual, Cannon had a terrible time taking the sedation med.  It has a horrible metallic taste we're told, it makes him puke.  Which he did.  At that point, we told Cannon we'd have to try again.  That's a good lesson in how to make a crying kid cry harder!  We discussed the option of getting thelmeds via an injection, which was a little more favorable than the option of drinking it.  He got the shot, we said our Goodbye's and I love you's, and he was out.  When they wheeled him to the OR, his eyes were open but you could tell no one was home.  It's hard to see, but we're glad he won't remember any of that at all.  The last thing he'll remember is being sandwiched by mommy and daddy.

I'll admit, this is hard.  Everything's been comfortable for 6 years, there's been little risk for the last 5 or so.  If you looked at Cannon yesterday and watched him play and swim in the pool... if you didn't know any better you'd think he was a perfectly normal and healthy kid.  I'm finding it hard to send him in for a major open-heart surgery when on the outside it seems there's nothing wrong with him.  He seems normal and life is comfortable.  But I have to remind myself of the options: no surgery and enjoy him for an unknown amount of time (10 years?  20 years?  40?).  Or do something now, and hopefully we beat him to heaven!  I know that sounds a little harsh, but these are the decisions we're dealing with.

God's done good preparing us, but that don't mean it don't hurt.  We're surrounded by the best possible support team of family and friends.  Speaking of which, anyone's invited to come visit us on 17 in TCH's West Tower.  Between Tori and I, we'll do our best to keep everyone updated throughout the day while we document the stages and get new news (we'll get hourly updates from the OR).  See you soon!