The Deed is Done

The day seemed to start ok, even if it was a little early. Like 5:00am. The ambulatory surgery entrance was right where they told us and we were early enough to get a parking spot. One of the other ENTs was sick that day and his three surgery appointments had to be canceled as they arrived. We were glad that ours wasn't. A kind nurse took Noah and Chris to be weighed and measured (Noah not Chris:). I came back with Ian just before Chris successfully got Noah into the hospital gown. They gave him and extra to put on backwards as a robe, as if modesty was an issue.

I wouldn't have thought so for Noah, but apparently he wanted everything to be covered!

Still blissfully unaware of the trials to come Noah 'drove' his car to the operating room where Chris had to leave him at the door. They used a gas mask to put him to sleep before inserting the iv catheter and administering the anesthetic. The surgery was quick; it seemed that no sooner had we be been told it started than the doctor was there telling us how it went. Things had gone well with the removal of the tonsils and the adenoid pads but he would like to keep Noah over night.

He spent some time in recovery coming out of the anesthetic. We met him in his room in the pediatric unit. He was groggy and out of it but clearly uncomfortable. You could tell that he really didn't want to move his mouth, jaw or throat at all holding it all as still as possible. His saliva was very viscous and would pool in his mouth before drooling out the corners since he wouldn't swallow it. He sat with Chris and zoned out to Dora until the nurse had to take care of business.

She had to give his pain meds orally and also ended up using the syringe to get some water down him too. This was a fight every time with wails of pain and lots of tears. This was the only picture I could bring myself to take of his misery and she was just taking his blood pressure!

Surprisingly to me, I was close to tears most of the day and, unsurprisingly, am eternally grateful that Chris was able to be the strong one in this situation. It about tears my heart out to see my baby so pitiful and crying with the pain and it seemed like that happened a lot. The reality though, is that there were some ok, maybe even good, moments in the day thanks to the drugs.

Feeding Daddy his pudding and making his first efforts at speech.

Eventually, making it to the playroom for some one handed play.
Check out the trappings on that right hand!

And even getting to take some toys back to his room.

I came home that evening feeling pretty disheartened, mostly from his moments of misery. Later, Chris called and I could hardly hear him for all the babbling and talking that Noah was doing, 'high as a kite', according to Chris after getting another dose of Lortab. He sounded pretty chipper and excited and I was heartened. Hearing him like that was surely an answer to prayers. Thank you guys for that!

Home again and happy to be in his own bed.

While the struggles of recovery are not over the Lord is aware and has made it evident to us as we receive much love, support and service from friends and family. Thanks.