Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Surgery Day: Updates

December 20, 2012--7:38am
Approaching Brandt's surgery has been weird. I think I've gotten so used to Brandt always being sick and having procedures scheduled and rescheduled that I truly did not believe today was going to happen. I just sat around and waited for him to start coughing or sniffling, or for a fever to spike. I was so apprehensive, in fact, that I even held off on requesting time-off and putting my sub job in the computer. I guess I'm just so accustomed to nothing ever going right for me. Yesterday, my blood pressure was surging, just thinking he still had one more day to catch Darrin's strep throat or some illness from the sitter--but we made it through the night without a cough.
It's early and Brandt is already screaming for food, so we'll see how today goes...
Stay tuned to this post for updates on his surgery.



December 20, 2012--11:40am
We are off to a rocky start. The doctor's first surgery of the day had complications, causing all of his other surgeries to be delayed. We were scheduled with a table time of 11:00am, but now they are telling me it will be closer to 12:30.
We just met with anesthesia. They will give him baby valium to relax him in about 45minutes. Then, once they take him back, they will gas-mask Brandy before putting in an IV. After that, they will put in a breathing tube for general anesthesia, and then he will get a shot in his tailbone to numb the pain that awaits him.
Meanwhile, he is getting very antsy and starving--not to mention Mom and Dad could go for a bite and cold drink right about now, too. But, all we can do is pace up and down the OR waiting pre-op until they call us.



December 20, 2012--12:55pm
Talked with the doctor and anesthesiologist. There questions were making me so nervous as we went through the laundry-list of current medications and medical history. I was waiting for something to hold us up --like his heart murmur and anemia. Like I said, I'm used to constant delays and setbacks.
At 12:45, a member of anesthesia took Brandt back. It was hard just handing him over, but it was also relief knowing that this will soon be behind us.
Now, we wait...



December 20, 2012--1:15pm
Comfort food lunch
Darrin: Cheeseburger, large fry, slice of pizza, king size Snickers ice cream, Sprite.
Valerie: jumbo hot dog, bag of Doritos, king size ice cream Snickers, jumbo Coke.



December 20, 2012--1:45pm
Just spoke with the doctor. Surgery went fine. Testicle was being held up by a hernia. Wouldn't even descend while at a complete rest. Down now. Hernia corrected. Stitched and bandaged. Brandt's in recovery, but we can't go back to see him until he starts to wake up. They said this is usually about an hour of sleeping after surgery. The waiting continues.



December 20, 2012--2:30pm
A nurse finally came to bring me to recovery and Darrin to another waiting room. From outside the door, I could hear Brandt crying "muh-muh" but he was quickly calmed by my soothing touch. He drank 4oz of pedialite without a second thought. We weren't in recovery long before they moved him to phase II.
In phase II, they took vitals and gave Brandt 4 more oz of Pedialite before he Napped in my arms for the next hour. He awake thirsty so the nurse have us the green light to give him apple juice while she was going over all the pre-op directions. Another twenty minutes, around 4pm, and we were out the doors and on our way home!



December 20, 2012: 4:30pm
We were only about 15 minutes down the road before things took a sudden turn. Brandt started projectile vomiting. As I'm telling Darrin to pull over, Brandt is continuing to spit-up every last ounce of fluids he had taken down. But, Darrin's cop-brain would not allow him to pullover on the side of I95--oh no--he has to wait until he gets to the next exit. Meanwhile, Brandt is continuing to throw up. I was freaking out and upset that he was more worried about a potential accident than our son throwing up. So, as I'm proceeding to clean off Brandt, he is yelling at me about he is tired of all of this stuff, and how could I not have a towel in the car, and that I'm a horrible person--although, his word choice was a little more blunt. At that point, I shut down. I was disappointed that after all we had been through, we were back to square one in the marriage department. But, whatever, all that matters is my son. So, I put a call in to the doctor, and I'm waiting to hear back. And, right now, that is all that matters.



December 20, 2012--7:55pm
After stopping at Walgreens to pick up Brandt's pain meds, we made it back home just before 6:00pm. Brandt was starving and continuously asking for food, but I was a little hesitant. I gave him a banana at 5:55 and then waited another 45 minutes before giving him half of a turkey burger. Then, just after 7:00, I gave him half a cup of milk. We waited another half hour before putting him to bed to ensure everything was staying down. Hopefully he'll get a full night of sleep--and mommy will, too!
Somehow, I survived the first two diaper changes, but they were just wee-wee. Not thinking it will be too fun to change a pooh diaper if it requires much wiping. He is looking like a swollen, bruised mess. Ouch!
Darrin did apologize for his behavior earlier, but I sat in silence as the tears poured out. There was so much going through my head, but I knew I'd lose it if I opened my mouth. I just feel like we need to me more united, especially in these moments of weakness. Hopefully we can continue to work through the hard times. Man, marriage is a lot of work! ;)
All in all, I am just so happy that the surgery happened on the first attempt and is now behind us!

3 comments:

  1. So happy everything went well. Wishing Brandt a speedy recovery!
    Terri

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  2. Recovery sucks. After my spinal (not even fully put out to have Sofia) I vomited everytime they moved my bed. I hope Brandt starts to feel better! Good luck with everything. Thinking of you!
    Jen

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ladies! This has been quite a day. The good news is that it is over and behind us. His stomach seems to have settled, and now I'm just hoping for a quick recovery with no split stitches.

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