Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Success! Well, we think so. . .

I just got home from the hospital (9pm) and wanted to write a quick update before going to blissful sleep.

Everything went well. Brody cratered about the last half hour before surgery, but I think it was more because he was overtired (no nap) than no food. One of the nurses took him and entertained him while I spoke to the urologist.
I like the urologist (Furness) more and more. We sat down and he said "I've been thinking alot about Brody's case since we last spoke." He then went into this long expanation but basically, because Vacterl kids can have issues even when it doesn't appear they have issues, Furness took a different, more conservative, more complicated approach to do the same thing we talked about before, in order to avoid "making the bladder go to sleep." I was pretty tired at that point, and I don't really know what he said, but there you go. I knew Brody was his last case of the day, so I kind of joked (and kind of not joked) and asked him "Are you feeling good? Feeling fresh?" And he replied, "Actually, I've been looking forward to Brody's case all day." It was then I decided that I like a surgeon who thinks Brody's issues are fun and challenging, instead of daunting.

I walked Brody into the OR again. That just never gets easy, leaving him there, even if he is passed out. He was very glad that he got to take in his Oma blankie (what he named the blankie my mom knit for him) to the OR. Anyway, the surgery took less than 2 hours. Furness came out and cut right to the chase: "It went great. He's already peeing like a racehorse." No problems, no surprises, no issues. He combined the two urine tubes, and the reflux issue should be resolved. Brody will have bloody urine for a few weeks, and that's normal. He didn't get an epidural but a regional block thing. It should wear off tomorrow morning.

Brody did have a rough time waking up from the general. He was pretty violent and crying, and no matter how many times he squirmed or thrashed, he never got comfortable. He didn't care when Daddy or his nana arrived (Jeremy's mom) and he refused apple juice and popsicles (his two favorites after surgery). The nurse said it's a reaction to the anesthetic. Basically, after thrashing for 90 minutes, he went to sleep around 6pm, and as of the time I left, he hadn't woken up. He also hasn't eaten since 6:30am, but we have mac n cheese, rice krispie treats, cheerios and yogurt on standby in case he does wake up. He is getting so many fluids that he's not dehydrated, and he's not surprisingly just exhausted. I left him sprawled out on top of Jeremy in the "parent cot" (aka torture device) in the room.

thank you thank you thank you

8 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I am so glad things went well. Rest.

Lolita Breckenridge said...

Thanks Patti - I did have a good night's rest. Kept dreaming that Brody and I were at an Obama event, and trying to get closer. Hardly anyone was there, so we could. Woke up before we met him though. Alas.

SaRaH said...

I'm so glad it went well and can't wait to hear that you have that brilliant boy in your arms again. I wish I could donate time off to you guys!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear the surgery went well. Poor Jeremy for having to sleep on the cot. I always feel like my head is crooked and my toes are numb after a night on the hospital cot! Lori

Hef said...

Yay Brody! I was thrilled to read this post. Peeing like a racehorse? That had me laughing.

Jacque said...

I was wondering about Mr. Brody. I'm glad it's over and went well. I hope you all get some rest!

Unknown said...

YAY Brody! I like that surgeon. "Peeing like a racehorse" had me LOLing.

Unknown said...

SOO glad things went well!!!! Hope little Brody recovers very quickly!!! :)