Recovery Complete!

2 weeks post-op & all is well. Zach's tonsils were huge, we spent two night in the hospital, the scabs came off just when they were supposed to & he was very miserable, no dehydration, no bleeding. He is eating again. That's the short version.

The day of surgery I was an absolute wreck. I seriously thought that I was going to faint as I was walking us out of the door to go to the hospital. I wondered if it might be the last time that I was going to walk him down the stairs. Now, I did know that I was being overly dramatic, but that is what I was feeling at the time. Damn PTSD issues. I was just happy that I was able to drive the car to the hospital, seriously, I was a wreck.

We had a bit of a wait as surgery was delayed, but Zach did great being NPO. He only asked for food once that day & after I explained why he couldn't have any, he never asked again. We played in the waiting area. that didn't go so well. Zach very nearly grabbed a teenagers very bandaged foot. Ugh.....I felt terrible, but dang my little man is quick! I had a rare treat in that Zach fell asleep in the Pikkolo. I so miss holding my son while he sleeps. I really do miss Kangaroo care time when Zach was in the hospital.

I didn't cry when I handed him over to the anesthesiologist (I was very surprised that I didn't) & I was distracted by my preemie mom friends during the 20 minute wait during the surgery (they are some funny ladies.....). I have a feeling that a fellow did the surgery & the attending just popped in & out of the procedure, but I didn't ask (I know too much, there is no way that she could have gotten scrubbed, done the surgery & gotten back out to us that fast).

I'm now going to tell you how much I love my iPhone. It kept me in touch with my friends during the surgery, which helped me to maintain my sanity. Also, I got the kindle app & was able to read my books (The Hunger Games) at night in the hospital as I wasn't getting much sleep. Awesome.

Next post will cover the recovery........not so much fun (but not as bad as I had anticipated).

Surgery

Zach is scheduled for a tonsillectomy/ adnoidectomy on July 14th. Sigh. Seriously, how did such a little boy get such massive tonsils?

We (his doctor & I) noticed his enlarged tonsils back in early April when he had a sore/ red throat. Well, the sore throat seemed to get better but his tonsils were still pretty big at his 2 year checkup. Zach has also been having episodes of obstructive sleep apnea, has fallen off of his growth curve for weight, has balance/ coordination issues & is hyperactive at times. All of this indicated that he is not getting quality rest at night & is just exhausted most of the time.

We went off to the ENT who really didn't think that someone his age would have tonsils large enough to need surgery, but he proved her wrong! We have tried Nasonex to try to shrink them up, but I can tell that it is not working as the tonsils have gotten larger!

Surgery on someone his age is an automatic inpatient admission for one night. I have heard that two year olds tend to stay longer as they don't drink enough post-op to stay hydrated. Fun, fun! I have heard great things about Rady Children's hospital, the rooms are private & I will have a pull out couch to "sleep" on.

My mom is going back to WI for a three week trip (long planned) on July 12th & Zach's dad is going out of the country on vacation July 19th. I hope that we are home by then, but no matter what the recovery will not be easy.

As the time is counting down, my worries & fears are coming to the surface. I have taken my son to surgery twice before. The first time, he was less than 2 pounds, still on the vent with a perforated bowel. The second time, he was 7 pounds, 4 weeks past his due date & a "normal" newborn at that point. He did much worse after the second surgery than the first & has potential to repeat his performance. Ugh. Also, I just know too damn much in regards to hospitals/ surgery & healthcare. That is not helping my anxiety at all.

To top it off, his two year old molars are trying to come in! I guess if he (& I) are going to be miserable, might as well get it all over with at once.

July 4th!

This was July 4th 2009. Zach had made it through his first surgery, had extubated himself & was now on CPAP. He had a break from the CPAP while I held him & we used blow-by to give him oxygen. I think that he was just over 2 pounds in this picture. I then drove to Santee to see a friend & began my adventure of learning to pump anywhere. I finished the night in Point Loma watching the fireworks & then pumping on my way home (yep, while driving).

This year we have been taking it easy. We have done some time in the park & errands. Yesterday we went to Campland on the Bay to see some new friends. A fellow preemie mom & her 3 1/2 year old twins. Although we hadn't met before yesterday, we have known each other for a couple of years on my online preemie mom support group.

Zach ran around like a maniac & then tried to teal everyone's balls (footballs, baseballs, soccer balls, volleyballs). He has no idea that he is too little to play with the big kids & the adults. He was just chasing the ball as they were throwing it & then would just pick up their ball & run off with it. Needless to say, I got a bit of exercise myself yesterday.