I've started counting down the days until Jack's surgery. 3. Actually, it's now only 2 days. Thursday, July 18. I don't get much time to sit at an actual computer without little hands pounding on the keys! I had started writing this post on my phone. This is MUCH easier!
Here's what's bothering me. I'm not nervous. Should I be? I've lost count how many times Jack has had surgery/procedures/tests under anesthesia. Maybe it's because it seems so routine.
I feel guilty because I'm not very nervous. It's more that I'm disappointed that he's going in again.
He's having surgical procedures/tests and possibly some eye surgery. To be specific, Jack is having several specialists visit him in the OR. The dentist will perform x-rays and clean Jack's teeth. We hope there is no decay, as this is common in CFC kids, and most kids with g-tubes. The opthamologist will perform an EUA (eye exam under anesthesia) to look at the damage to Jack's cornea from lack of lubricant (not tears) and might have surgery to help if needed. This possible surgery involves stitching up the outsides of the eyelids. The cardiology team will perform a sedated echocardiogram (we've given up on trying to do them when Jack is awake) and EKG. It's Jack's annual exam to look at his PFO and aortic stenosis. Most CFC kids have heart issues or conditions that occur later in life. I'm very happy that Jack is getting the exam every year. Finally, the GI specialist will perform an endoscopy down Jack's esophagus and a colon biopsy to look at the function of the colon (Hirschsprung Disease).
Back to my not being nervous. My not being nervous actually makes me nervous. Way back, Jack was going in for a ureter stent placement. This was after his UPJ obstruction and Pyeloplasty. I wasn't nervous. The radiologist was going to place the stent through the surgery site but had trouble, which he then stated was his first time ever failing. Jack went back to the operating room later that same day for attempt of ureter stent placement through his urethra by the urologist. The poor boy came out of anesthesia grey in color and O2 low. His little body was limp and he was struggling to breathe. He only had to stay a short while but did have O2 while sleeping. We DO NOT want that to ever happen again.
What's even more nerve-racking is how Jack's gut reacts after surgery. We believe his gut shuts down from the different pain medications (morphine) he's been given, not the actual anesthesia. His intestines stop working and Jack gets an ileus. This results in tons of vomit and major fatigue. We've had to have his stomach pumped a couple of different times while waiting for the bowels to wake back up. He gets stuck admitted to the hospital on iv fluids, once for 8 days, or was it 10? The other for 6. See? I am avoiding getting into the medical binders because I don't actually want to remember all of this!
I am hoping and praying that we won't have to deal with any complications because, at the moment, Jack isn't actually having any actual surgery. Of course, this may change if he ends up having his eyes done.
Here's something to lighten the load. A cute video of the kids messing around. It's all sideways and such, but that just makes me giggle even more!
Here's what's bothering me. I'm not nervous. Should I be? I've lost count how many times Jack has had surgery/procedures/tests under anesthesia. Maybe it's because it seems so routine.
I feel guilty because I'm not very nervous. It's more that I'm disappointed that he's going in again.
He's having surgical procedures/tests and possibly some eye surgery. To be specific, Jack is having several specialists visit him in the OR. The dentist will perform x-rays and clean Jack's teeth. We hope there is no decay, as this is common in CFC kids, and most kids with g-tubes. The opthamologist will perform an EUA (eye exam under anesthesia) to look at the damage to Jack's cornea from lack of lubricant (not tears) and might have surgery to help if needed. This possible surgery involves stitching up the outsides of the eyelids. The cardiology team will perform a sedated echocardiogram (we've given up on trying to do them when Jack is awake) and EKG. It's Jack's annual exam to look at his PFO and aortic stenosis. Most CFC kids have heart issues or conditions that occur later in life. I'm very happy that Jack is getting the exam every year. Finally, the GI specialist will perform an endoscopy down Jack's esophagus and a colon biopsy to look at the function of the colon (Hirschsprung Disease).
Back to my not being nervous. My not being nervous actually makes me nervous. Way back, Jack was going in for a ureter stent placement. This was after his UPJ obstruction and Pyeloplasty. I wasn't nervous. The radiologist was going to place the stent through the surgery site but had trouble, which he then stated was his first time ever failing. Jack went back to the operating room later that same day for attempt of ureter stent placement through his urethra by the urologist. The poor boy came out of anesthesia grey in color and O2 low. His little body was limp and he was struggling to breathe. He only had to stay a short while but did have O2 while sleeping. We DO NOT want that to ever happen again.
What's even more nerve-racking is how Jack's gut reacts after surgery. We believe his gut shuts down from the different pain medications (morphine) he's been given, not the actual anesthesia. His intestines stop working and Jack gets an ileus. This results in tons of vomit and major fatigue. We've had to have his stomach pumped a couple of different times while waiting for the bowels to wake back up. He gets stuck admitted to the hospital on iv fluids, once for 8 days, or was it 10? The other for 6. See? I am avoiding getting into the medical binders because I don't actually want to remember all of this!
I am hoping and praying that we won't have to deal with any complications because, at the moment, Jack isn't actually having any actual surgery. Of course, this may change if he ends up having his eyes done.
Here's something to lighten the load. A cute video of the kids messing around. It's all sideways and such, but that just makes me giggle even more!
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