Once the drug laced "silly juice" hit Will pre-surgery, he became very loopy & actually quite funny. He was fascinated with his red "rudolph thumb." (That's the pulsox monitor on his hand.)
Post surgery, he wasn't doing so well... & neither were we. It was a rough recovery time coming out of anesthesia - he was having a difficult time keeping medicine down & threw up all over himself & me.He was also drenched with sweat which made his nurses concerned about blood sugar levels (& reminded us of those first 9 days of his life in the NICU.) We think it was just the anesthesia wearing off. He has continued to have intense sweating episodes.
Bless his heart, he was not feeling well for this picture:
He was a little more alert for this one - shortly before he was discharged:
For the last week or so, I've tried to prepare Will the best I could for his upcoming surgery. We went to the library & checked out several very out of date books about hospital stays for kids. Those were frustrating however because the kids (or bunny/monkey in two cases) were in the hospital either because they were very sick or because they swallowed an object and required surgery - so a consequence for an action. I was frustrated because in Will's case, he is not sick, didn't feel bad, & didn't eat anything wrong and yet we were making him undergo surgery.
We've also been playing a lot of pretend doctor to help him get ready. We took his doctor's kit to surgery & he spent a lot of time checking various doctor's hearts. He usually wears his stethoscope correctly in his ears but sometimes he pretends it is a seatbelt.
While in the first waiting room, he checked his new tiger's heart & looked for boogers using his nose thing (othoscope maybe?)
We also made a Christmas choo choo craft in that waiting room.
Surgery Update:
I have some pics from surgery but for some reason can't upload them tonight.
Thank you so much for praying for Will yesterday during his surgery. The doctor was really pleased with the surgery and felt they did the "best they could do with what they had to work with." We have been able to get little glimpses today & we can see some minor differences. Hopefully, we'll see more in the upcoming weeks or else learn to accept it as is.
We were especially THRILLED when the surgeons released us to go HOME!!! Will didn't even have to spend one single night in the children's hospital Christmas week!!! Thank you, Jesus!
He is doing okay - still in quite a bit of pain but on some heavy medications (lortab & hydrocodine.) I am having a difficult time getting food or liquids into him but we have found that about 30 minutes after taking painkillers, he perks up & will take some pudding, yogurt, & pediasure. I am relieved today that he is finally taking some nutrition.
Hopefully, his night tonight will be even better and he'll be back to his happy self soon.
Thanks so much for your prayers! Hopefully pictures will be coming soon.
We thank you for praying for Will & our family but we'd like to ask you to keep praying this Christmas. Several people have shared with us how they have used Will's surgery as an opportunity to teach their children about praying for others. We are so thankful to be out of the hospital but my heart was broken for so many families yesterday who are still in the hospital. Dallas Children's Hospital is not a hopeful place. It is an outstanding hospital but it is not a place of hope. I mean, yes, they can cure children (actually, God can but through them) & yes they have wonderful, compassionate nurses & doctors. But on the whole, I don't feel hopeful walking through their doors. We sat in a very full waiting room yesterday with other families. I don't know what all kinds of surgeries were being performed but at least two families were waiting on news for their little kids who were having brain surgery. When we were called back to see Will post-op, we walked with another family down the hall. We didn't really talk & for that matter, we didn't really walk. We practically sprinted down that forever long hallway with the nurse to see our little boys. The parking garage was jammed full. Moms and dads taking a break to head to lunch were weary. We saw precious cancer patients in wagons. There is a whole floor for leukemia patients. For many families, this was perhaps their final Christmas together on earth. I was begging God to protect my child & to be home in time for Christmas. Others are begging Him for just one more day together.
It's not the way I like thinking about Christmas. Christmas is magical and wonderful. It's a celebration of Jesus' birth and all about being with family- enjoying great meals and games and gifts & time by a fireplace. It's sweaters and hot cocoa and baking and giggling.
It's not supposed to be ivs and treatments and waiting rooms and hospital beds. My perspective was changed yesterday because the reality is that for too many families, this is what Christmas is this year.
Would you join me in praying for them? My heart is burdened for these families. As our family service project this year, we made crafts & cookies & gift packages for the kids on Will's floor at the hospital. Since he was discharged early (Thank you GOD!!!) we will be taking those tomorrow to the local hospital's pediatric unit. We will do that after attending the funeral for a friend's mom who died suddenly this week. Christmas Eve day is not supposed to include funerals and hospital visits. But then, I am reminded that the Savior we worship whose birthday is this week didn't come to simply feast & wear sweaters & sit by the fire with His family. (Not that he didn't enjoy a good wedding feast!) He came to serve. He sat with the sick and grieved with them. He knew the pain of losing a close friend and He wept. Though all about HIM, He made life about others. He is changing my perspective this week. I had my fantasy of what Christmas should look like... & it was all about me.
It's not about me at all. It's about Him and loving others in His name. Please join us in praying for those who are hurting and grieving and in pain this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Update as of Wednesday (12/24) - Today has been very difficult for Will. His appetite seems to be back and he is thirsty finally but every time he tries to eat or take a drink, he cries and says, "my mouth is hurting." I think the anesthesia has worn off and he is in lots of pain today. He has been very cranky as well. I think we'll be skipping Christmas Eve church as he is not doing so well and instead, we'll relax by the fire & continue cuddling and watching Christmas movies.
0 thoughts:
Post a Comment
