Sunday, March 10, 2013

Post-op Update

God is good, better than we could ask or imagine. My only real concern going into this surgery was Lucas' fasting. He doesn't do well not eating when he wants to eat, and he typically wants to eat. He did amazingly though, of course. He was a little grumpy when we moved him into the bed in our assigned room for the day, but I think that was more to do with his dislike of being pulled and labeled and examined. :) He did also scream pretty much the whole drive to the hospital, but that is still a pretty normal thing, crying in the car.

The surgery was on schedule. I was allowed to come back into the OR with him (which is a beautiful OR and got the nurse-on-hold in me a little itchy to do something nursey). I stayed until he was knocked out by the gas, kissed his handsome face and headed back to wait for news with Marc. They called part way through the surgery to tell us all was going well and Dr. Austin was in our room talking with us before one o'clock. He said that it went according to plan with no complications, but that he wants his to have a catheter in place for two weeks (not totally surprising) with a bag attached (that was unexpected). He wants to make sure that this will be the last surgery the sweet little guy will ever need on his sensitive parts, hence leaving the catheter in place for so long, and reduce the risk of infection, hence having the catheter empty into a bag instead of into his diaper where it can be infiltrated by nasties from the other side. I am totally supportive of this, I was just not prepared for it.

We will be laying low and staying home, pants-less (well, not all of us), for the next two weeks. Marc's mom found some tearaway/snap together pants for him that I should be able to get on and off him without much complication. With the catheter bag attached to him, pulling pants on and off is not something we are interested in doing. I am sure they will be getting some good use as I am trying to keep layers between his set up and  his grabbing hands.

I think he's doing pretty well thus far. I am planning to remove the dressing (bandage) tomorrow. We will be doing sponge baths only, but I doubt Lucas will mind that. He also won't be sitting anywhere with a central divider in the seat. We are hanging on the couch and in his bath chair (which I pulled into the living room). I am sleeping in his bed with him which is not the most comfortable for me, but is entirely doable for my sweet prince. He has given a quick tug here and there, including in his sleep and that has caused some major pain, but otherwise, he seems to be recovering all right.

This will put us back a little more on getting into the new house, but while I am here, I am going to try to get some cleaning and packing stuff done around here, at the 'regular house'. Speaking of which, I am going to try to get a little laundry folded and dinner started before Lucas wakes up. Once he wakes, I have to sit on him, actually just his feet, so he doesn't squirm injuriously and hold his hand so he doesn't grab.

Thank you for all your prayers and standing with us in faith.I will try to get out another update soon. to let you all know how the healing is progressing. Since I am going to be working to impress my tush into this couch, I'd say the odds are much better than usual that I will actually follow through with my good intentions. :)
Blessings and love!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Big day for the little guy (though he's a rather big little guy)

I should have posted this yesterday, but I forgot until I was comfortably in bed last night and I had no intention of rising again. I trust all who need to see this will see it.

The surgery to narrow the created urethra is scheduled for this morning at 1030. We were hoping that we might get to reschedule for the 19th so that he wouldn't miss any school (spring break begin the 18th), but that didn't happen. He will miss school today and return next week until Wednesday or Thursday, I am thinking. He will likely have a catheter in place for at least a week, so nurses will have to do all diaper changes, but they are wonderfully willing. (Thank you Angela and Stephanie!! We love you ladies!)

Lucas is not allowed to have anything after 700 this morning and he only gets water and apple juice slushie. (We put his medicine in the slushie, but he's not really into it like he would be if it was 90 degrees outside.) He woke at about 600, I think because he didn't want to be denied having some drinks. Now, at about 10 to 700, he is drifting back to sleep after having a big seizure.

I, honestly, feel absolutely no apprehension. I trust him completely in the care of his Maker and know that He loves Lucas more than I ever could. I imagine it also helps that we have been through this so many times before without issue. I do still ask that you join us in prayer, as trusting God does not mean neglecting to speak to Him about any and everything. We are praying, of course for the safe and skillful surgery, for all the staff who will be caring for him today, pre-op, in the OR and post-op. We are praying that he would be aware at all times of the Lord God Almighty's presence with him. (This is an every day, not just surgery day prayer.) We are praying that he would be alert and dancing and growing stronger and larger in spirit even while his mind and body are sedated. We are praying that he would not want for anything in the stretch of time between 700 and anesthesia when he is not allowed any intake. We are praying that Eliana has a great time with her cousins Thomas, Nate and baby Joshua while we are at the hospital. We are praying for a quick and beautiful recovery. Though we still ask, we ask in faith, believing that what we ask we will receive,  not like "The Secret", but because we know God and have tasted His goodness. We trust Him and believe what He has promised, that He loves Lucas more than the sparrows and will adorn him more magnificently than the most beautiful flower. This is true for all  of us, not just Lucas. We all do well to remember His love for us, undeserving (as love is not something that could ever be deserved), immeasurably abundant, merciful, self-sacrificing love.

700 has crept upon me and I need to wake the husband and get ready to go. Thank you all again for your love and support. You are all treasures in our lives.I will try to update either later today or tomorrow.
Blessings, beloveds!