Surgery

Eric's surgery Thursday went well. We were up at 0500, left at 0520, well tried. The van had a dead battery, so we switched to my car. Arrived at "same day surgery" at 0600, then after answering questions and such we were able to go with Eric to "induction room." He didn't like the mask too much, but went under without much trouble. We kissed him and left. Because I was able to be with him I didn't lose it. I was so afraid that I'd have to leave him when he was conscious and he would be crying and calling for us. But since I didn't, I got away just being a little teary eyed.

Fortunately, the next two hours went quickly. Paul and I had breakfast and sat and chatted with my cousin Michele, who so very nice to come and keep us company. Thank you Michele!!! Love ya! The surgeon talked with for a few minutes and told us the first thing he said was "mama." Awwww, love my boy! Everything went well. It was a large hernia. She even gave him a bellybutton but it won't look quite like yours and mine. Rats! Now he can't go to show n' tell and show off that he doesn't have a belly button. Oh well! We are supposed to keep him quiet for the next few weeks. Ha! Are sedatives being proscribed?

Next we went to recovery, where a nurse was holding him. He came to me and we rocked. Eric was very quiet and very good. A couple of other kids made their presence known. His said this was the first time she had seen the anesthesiologists (I spelled this right!) carry the patient out. When his room was ready, the two of us got a ride in a wheelchair.

Eric dosed off and on in our laps. Grandma and Grandpa stopped by before picking us up for dinner out. After returning, Paul stayed for a little while before heading home to take of the kitties. I stayed...boy did I miss my bed! Besides the bed being uncomfortable, the hallways were brightly lit (I did all I could to block the lights) and it was so noisy! Why was there a young child in the hall giggling at 2300? The staff wasn't very quiet. I wish we were in the wing where Eric has been previous...nice and quiet, lights were dim. Anyhoo, Eric slept fine, I did not. He woke up his usual self. He kept telling me he wanted to eat. Finally, he got some Fruit Loops to munch on. He ended up eating part of my hoggie bun, crackers and peanut butter too. There was this big whole thing about the resident wanting to put him on a feeding pump, I mean us taking him home with it too! We have never used a feeding pump for him! We didn't want to start! The resident thought that maybe he didn't have the room to expand when he was fed. And she wanted to keep at least one more night. Whoa! The surgeon said that if he OK pain wise he could go home that evening. Pain wise, he was great! Nothing was bothering this kid! Eventually, per our request, the surgeon was gotten a hold of and straightened out, yeah! We did two tubes feedings, our way, and since he tolerated that Eric was discharged about 1730. 36 hours in the hospital was long enough for Eric. He was so happy to go "bye bye."

A funny... before we left, the resident stopped in. Eric made his sign for gloves, which we translated to her. She got a pair out for him. He didn't want to wear them, he wanted her to. So, she put them on and then he pointed to his diaper. We laughed. He wanted her to change his diaper, which he did need a changing. The nurses always wore gloves when they changed his diaper. He's such a stinker!

We went home, changed clothes and went out for some Chinese. Eric ate the crunchy part of some cream cheese puffs, with dipping sauce, and some rice and carrots. Not a full meal, but we'll take it.

Eric woke up sore this morning, but some Motrin and Tylenol seemed to do the trick. We are trying our best to keep him from climbing and straining his belly, don't want any stitches coming out! He got a sponge bath tonight. Live and learn...the next one will done differently!

Here are some pictures Grandpa took last week, one cool dude who loves corn on the cob...