Surgery Day

Today was the day. Bryan and I arrived at Choc at 5:30 am for surgery at 7:30 am. I couldn't sleep anyway - so I was wide awake.

getting checked in

We were taken to Pre-Op where the anethesiologist, Dr. Muhonen and Dr. Jaffurs came to talk to us about the procedure and ask if we had any questions. We said goodbye and good luck to Jacky as he was wheeled away into surgery. That was one of the hardest parts of today.

Dr. Jaffurs going over the procedure one last time

Dr. Muhonen measuring Jack's head

There he goes - into surgery

Dr. Muhonen came out to give us an update at the end of his part. He said that everything was going well though they had some blood loss at the beginning and gave Jack half of the blood supplied by Bryan.

At 12:30 pm or so Dr. Jaffurs came out and let us know that Jack was on his way to PACU (Post Anethesia Care Unit) where he would recover and we could see him soon. He also let us know that "there was some excitement" at the end of the case. Jack's cathetor had not gone in correctly and they had to call in a Urologist to help with the foley. Everything was fine though. Jack was going to be fine. I was overcome with emotion speaking with the doctor. We shook hands but I started to get choked up and asked if I could hug him. I was so relived in that moment and was filled with so much gratitude. Evrything that I had been holding back all morning kind of came out - and I won't say that I broke down in tears - ok, yes I will say that.

Bryan and I felt such relief - but now it was time to go see our little boy all wrapped up and coming off of all the meds. This was something that all of the doctors and nurses had been preparing us for. He was not going to look the same. We would be swollen. Bryan and I stood in the PACU with Jack holding tightly onto our index fingrs.

Jack in PACU for Recovery

Still has a strong grip

After about a half hour we were moved to NICU where we will stay until tomorrow afternoon. He is resting comfortably most of the time but wakes up and fusses/cries for a little bit. He is on Morphine right now and I am hoping it will be reduced to just Tylenol with Codene tomorrow.

He just wants to be held

First bottle after surgery