The "Non Surgical Heart Procedure to close the hole in his Patent Ductus Areteriosis"

(AKA -  PDA.  Add this to our ever growing list of acronyms)

Tyler Style

(as if the name of the procedure doesn't tell you enough!  :) )

As part of Tyler's 5 Year Post transplant we visited the cardiologist for an Echo - to see if there were any long term side effects to his heart from the chemo.  There weren't.  But they did find a hole in his PDA. This won us an all inclusive round trip ticket to get a "non surgical heart procedure" where they would place a coil (or slinky) in the hole complete with overnight accommodations at Children's Hospital.  If I didn't have to worry about the medical part of this, I would have told you I was excited to see how things went.  You see, Tyler is an amazing kid.  He takes everything in stride.  He always makes the best out of every situation.  Always has, always will.  We are so very proud of him.  Here is just one example of many....

A couple of days before the procedure we visited our pediatrician for Pre operative blood work - and being the seasoned Leukemia Mommy I am - I made sure that they pulled all his 5 year labs at the same time.  No need to get any more 'sticks' then you need to.

Unbeknownst to us, a playdate the week before with our friends the Vastolas (Dad Joe) and dinner with my sister Ellen and her boyfriend (Joe) would provide the perfect distraction.  Joe?  Joe who?  Which Joe?  Joe?  Who knew this silly play on names would make for the best blood draw ever.  Our nurse's name was Erica.  "Hey Tyler, do you think if you told Daddy that 'Erica' drew your blood he would think Mommy did it."  The next thing you know the needle was in and all Tyler said was "Hey, that feels funny!"

We arrived bright and early on Monday morning for Tyler's procedure.  Guess what the anesthesiologist name was:  Dr. Tyler.  Perfect!

While we were waiting, Dan and I had a big

heart

to heart.  =)

After the procedure, Tyler had to lie on his back and not move his legs for 6 straight hours.  Not sure even I could do this... but he did it with little complaint.



Once he was allowed to sit up, he was actually quite excited to have a hospital "slumber party".   

Kind of like camping out. 

Not to mention the 'craftmatic adjustable' bed was super fun to play with!!

And even though many years have passed... some things never change. 

"Can I buy a Vowel Pat?"

We woke up on Tuesday morning to a frantic nurse.  "Dr. Tyler, Dr. Tyler, I have been trying to page you all night."  (You cannot even imagine how far this joke went!) 

And what does one do when they are faced with the dilemma of whether to walk out of the hospital rolling their Diego suitcase or take a wagon ride? 

"I have an idea!" he says (creating the light bulb above his head with his hand.)  And climbs in!

2 Weeks of 'low activity' is ahead of us... but no worries!  These two are having a blast!! 

What is better than having Tyler as your big brother?  Having Meadow as your little sister!

And oh yeh... the best part.  Just got Tyler engraftment results.  He is still LEUKEMIA FREE and 100% Donor Marissa Cells!!!  Here is a pic of the last time we got this same news!!  Still feels as good!!

(Because Tyler's donor is a girl they are able to do what is called a FISH test.... we couldn't ignore the play on words!)  =) 

And how do the DeMilles celebrate this very special occasion?

We need a Cheeseburger!

He may look like his Daddy... but he is my kid after all!!!