lllongg day...

It seems like I was writing about this time last night, telling you all about how we were going to try and get the labor and delivery started. Well, whatever they did that night, it worked. And did it work! Whooie! Did it ever work! Anna came pretty quick, and rumor has it she had both doctors and nurses running around to get things ready for her arrival.

By the way, if you haven't figured it out yet, this is Matt again. So if that is all you need to know, you can stop reading. I mean, about me writing. After all, who would want to wade through the countless pages of his random rambling?

Well, she arrived, she cried, she became stable on her own without breathing assistance, got put back on breathing assistance, got transported to Seattle Children's, got inspected by a plethora of doctors. There were also a lot of nurses, and even a fellow. Don't ask me what a fellow is or what he does, but I met two today (one was a guy, and one was a girl - go figure!). They (meaning the doctors) told us they can move forward, and we gave them the blessing (gulp!). She had the surgery, came off the bypass machine for 15 minutes, got put on ECMO, and went into recovery process. Now she is sleeping peacefully, (heavily sedated of course) with at least one, maybe two nurses who are watching her 24/7. Literally. The ECMO tech can't even leave her station to go to the bathroom unless someone relieves her (no pun intended...).

Anyway, I sit here, writing through a false fire alarm. Flashing lights, dinging bell, the whole works. At least we didn't have to evacuate (yes, it is after 12 am...(sigh)). Oh - wait - it just got over, so I'll try and make this quick so I can go to bed.

Alissa stayed at UW since we understood we may not be able to see Anna until late in the night/early in the morning. So we decided it would be best for her to stay there where she would be cared for and could rest as much as she could. As far as I know, she is doing so. Turns out, we were able to see Anna at about 10:30. And when I say "we" I mean myself, my mother, my brother Joe, his wife Pam, my sister Heidi, and Cara and Mel. Wait - Cara and Mel weren't there, were they? That's right, we got rid of them a couple of years ago.

Where was I? Oh yeah, seeing Anna. Sorry. My brain is a little frazzled. I think I still have about three gallons of adrenaline coursing through my veins, too. Well, we did get to go see her. Yes, her chest is still open, and she has about 19 dozen tubes coming out of her from various parts of her body. But she seems to be doing good and the nurses, doctors, therapists, and fellows are all telling me she is doing good. Since they seem to know what they are doing, I'll believe them.

Since one of my eyes seems to be turning black like I'm about to pass out, I think I better go to bed. So this is all you get for now. Also, it appears we will be here in Seattle for a few months at least, so I'm guessing we will have lots of time to post some more posts.

Thank you. Let me say it again: Thank you. There were several times today that I should have been a blubbering fool, but I didn't turn into a Joe. And in case you think I have a heart of stone, I did cry, several times. But all in all I maintained my composure (I think...anyone who was here today can contradict me...). And I am confident that the main reason I was able to do so was because of your ever-increasing prayers for our little family. God is good, all the time, and I haven't ever felt His goodness like I did today.

Okay - sorry - I already said I was done, and then I added something more. But now I truly am.

...I think.