Unexpected Open Heart Surgery

We were home for two months, then on July 3rd we returned to SickKids for Mateo to have another diagnostic Heart Catheterization to see how his heart was doing and determine when his next heart surgery would be. After the procedure the doctor let us know that Mateo’s right lung was receiving very little blood flow and that we were going to have to go to the CCU to determine what the next steps would be. Ultimately, on July 9th, Mateo had his second open-heart surgery. This surgery was only supposed to last 6-8 hours but it ended up lasting 11 just like the first one. We were so nervous and wondered if something had gone wrong. The surgeon let us know that there had been some complications and that Mateo did have to go on ECMO again for two hours but that fortunately he was not on it anymore. Mateo recovered well after his surgery, he even grew two more teeth, making it a total of 8 teeth 4 at the top and 4 at the bottom.

Mateo turned 1 year old while recovering from his surgery, and at midnight all the nurses in the doctors taking care of Mateo came and sang him happy birthday, while Mateo (being the night time partier that he is) smiled joyously at everyone! His grandparents and his godmother/auntie came to visit him and spoiled him with gifts.

We were discharged exactly1 month after getting to Toronto on Canada day. We were so excited to be home and celebrated with a cake that was given to Mateo by the CCCU team at SickKids. Also to commemorate Mateos big 1 year old birthday Kyle, Mateos auntie/godmother and Mateos uncle and godfather and I all got matching tattoos of Mateo's heart beat above our hearts <3 we love our little hero so much and we are so grateful to everyone that has been a part of his journey!

To help Mateo along his journey go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hakuna-mateo