One week has passed us and Prestton is well on his road to recovery. His surgery seemed like an eternity. I blogged, paced and tried so hard not to cry in the waiting room. Billy appeared calm and my dad decided to spend the time catching up on work and eating a good breakfast from the cafeteria! (haha!) My mom stayed in Tucson with the girls to keep their daily routine normal. Baylee and Devynn had been nervous as we were leaving Sunday afternoon. We reassured them the best we could and told them Prestton needed this procedure to stay healthy. Trynnity was clueless and happy to be the boss of her Nana!
The nurse came to get us after 2 1/2 hours (Billy timed them and it was 2 hours and 27 minutes) so we could walk back to the recovery room. There he laid helpless in a tiny hospital crib, purple gown and grape smelling oxygen mask over his face. His eyelids were fluttering and little body gave involuntary twitches. I leaned over and gave him so many kisses, stroking his hair and whispering how happy I was that this part was over.
Little did I know how hard the next few days would be. He continued to slumber from the anesthesia. After an hour we were moved to our new home on the second floor. Let me say that my anxiety was put at ease with the wonderful nurses we met. They welcomed all of us to his room with bright smiles and had a welcome card with a stuffed animal waiting for him on his bed. He woke up after a few hours and screamed in pain! Hi nurse came in and gave him some Morphine but his poor eyes showed his discomfort.
That was one of the longest nights we have had in awhile. I gave into exhaustion in the wee hours as Billy stood by his bed side the entire night. He gently rubbed his back, adjusted his pillows/ blankets and kept a close eye as they came in every 2 hours for vitals.
The next morning we were greeted by Dr. Ritchey (our amazing Pediatric Urologist). He explained the surgery had been text book perfect; finding that the obstruction had been over growth of tissue and his artery had grown through the ureter tube itself. He was able to place a stint in the tube and placed the artery behind the kidney. A drainage tube had been put in place next to the incision to help keep the fluids from infecting the surgical area inside. (Billy referred to this as his new exhaust pipe- got to love humor in serious situations). I of course felt my face turn green and tried feverishly to think of how I was going to be able to change his dressing every day for the next week until it would come out. Everything seemed good and we had the hopes of getting to go home by lunch time.
However, Prestton did not perk up as the day stretched on. By late afternoon the Resident had come in with Dr. Nyguen (Dr. Ritchey’s partner) and after looking over Prestton again decided it was best if we stayed another night. My heart sank, but I knew it was for the best. Especially living 2 hours away! So we made the best of it. Mommy read to him, rocked him, walked the halls and briefly visited the playroom. After a closer look at where we were at I realized that many of the patients on our floor were high risk; blood disorders, cancer and urological. Our nurse informed us that some of the kids had been here for months and many were not allowed to leave their rooms!!!! How do their families do it? I believe that everything happens for a reason and we are all here for a reason. The staff that works at the Phoenix Children's Hospital are angels on earth. They do a job that is so hard to do yet so amazingly fulfilling and worthy.
.
3 comments:
I am so happy that he is "fixed". I know how worried you were. You are a brave lady miss Jaymee! Can't wait to see you all again!
too rough of a day for me to his him in this much pain even after the fact when i know he is feeling much better!! love and kisses all around, but only blow a kiss to baylee to not mess up that makeup!!
So happy to see him over this step. He is such a happy, happy boy even during times like this. ((hugs))
Post a Comment