The Big Day

Well the Big Day has come and gone and we are now in recovery....recovering. Yesterday, we hit the road with the early birds to be at Cook's at 5:30. Alex was taken to the surgery waiting room where he received a little "giggle juice" through the nose. I asked if it smells different or if it hurts them at all, and the nurse said it was a lot like jumping into a pool and getting water up your nose. Awesome! So he cried and then went completely loopy. While I was waiting for him to be taken back to the operation room, my "old ENT" came in to work with the family next to me. Talk about awkward becuase my "new ENT" came in at that time to talk about his part of the procedure. ALthough my mom says she would have given the old ENT an ear-full, I just wanted that awkward moment to end. At least he now knows that I won't be coming back to him for his non-existing services.

Once Alex went back, Matt and I sat for a long wait. The ENT came out first after only 20 minutes to tell us that his part was over. Apparently, there was a lot of junk behind the old tubes. Now it is all cleared out and new long-term tubes are in place. Then he commented on the largeness of his tonsils and adenoids. He said that we should see some really big changes in his eating, sleeping, breathing, and possibly talking very soon!!

The spinal procedure took longer. We waited for another hour and half until Dr. Roberts came out to talk to us about how Alex did with the big one. He said that there was tension when he opened him up, and the tethered portion was a bit off centered. Not a big deal, just not what he expected when he made the incision. So he had to work a bit harder to get it all fixed up. All-in-all though, he did great.

An hour later he was brought up to his room where we have been since. The rest of the day went surprising well. He had morphine and pain meds, but overall he was alert and fairly happy. During the night he was up for a few hours at a time. They came in a lot checking his vitals and giving antibiotics. That would wake him up for a bit, but he didn't fuss. This morning (Friday), he was having a hard time. He didn't feel very good and threw up his medicine. He won't drink or eat anything because his throat hurts. Each time they turn him to his side to check his back, he cries too. He kept down Tylenol with codine finally and he is now asleep. I hope he is better when he wakes up, and tries something to eat and drink.

I think our prayers have been answered so far. The surgery went well, the recovery is going pretty good, and Alex is safe. Thank you all for helping me keep Alex in the arms of God for the past few days. We love you all for it!