Last
week on the 11th we got a call from the eye Doctor that there was a
cancellation in the schedule and he could do Owen's eye surgery on
Monday the 16th. As anxious as I was to "get it over with," I was almost
hesitant to accept a date that soon. I just wasn't prepared to do
surgery in 5 days, but I figured it was a take it or leave it type
situation and right now Owen is healthy, no illness, no asthma issues,
so now was the right time.
They
put him on the schedule for an 11 am surgery but by Friday had called
to confirm everything and he was bumped up to 9:45. The earlier, the
better. The night before surgery prep with the no liquids and no food
really stinks! We don't eat or drink because Owen can't eat or drink. We
all do it to be fair to him. Even though he doesn't really understand,
he does get very fussy and cranky without his morning cup of milk and
his banana.
We
arrived at the hospital at 7:45 for check-in. Got him registered and
went up to the surgical floor to begin the long and boring process of
being checked over by the nurses, seeing the Nurse Practitioner, talking
to the anesthesiologist. The Doctor came in, checked Owen out, marked
above the left eye just to make sure the correct eye was operated on and
then they came in a little early, around 9:15, and said they were ready
for him.
They
bring a Child life specialist in the room during the exam process to
show the children the anesthesia mask, have them leave the room and come
back in a few minutes so they see Mommy and Daddy are still there, that
sort of thing... They came in for Owen, but I told them it was kind of
pointless, because again, he doesn't really understand what is
happening. He's not quite two years old so his mind and memory doesn't
really grasp what is happening.
When
the OR Nurse came in to take him he went to her with no problems. We
watched her walk down the hall with him and he was just babbling away
the whole time. We did hear him say "Oh no" as she opened the doors to
the OR. It was kind of funny, but also kind of sad.
I
ran down to the cafeteria to get a snack and drinks for Adam and I
while we waited. The last procedure wasn't very long so I knew I didn't
have much time, so I just grabbed some donuts, two cherry pies and two
drinks and headed back up to the surgical waiting area.
Owen
was done with surgery around 9:45 or so and we got back to recovery
pretty quickly to see him. He did wake up in Phase I recovery before we
got back there and when we finally did get back there, I was walking by a
bed and saw a little boy with blonde hair being rocked by one of the
volunteers. It was Owen. He had woken up from the anesthesia and was
crying so the volunteer picked him up and rocked him. Adam and I thought
that was so sweet and it really touched us, that in the moment we
couldn't be there to comfort him, someone else was. It still makes me a
little teary eyed when I think about it. Akron Children's is an
incredible facility and their Doctor's and Nurses are amazing!
Speaking
of the Nurses. The one that Owen had during Phase I recovery asked
where we lived and we told her we're a local family, we live maybe 25
minutes away from the hospital. She said it was surprising to have a
local family there for that Doctor because so many of his patients come
from across the country, even the world. She said one of his last
patients came from Thailand! That's just incredible to me. We have a
world class facility with a world class surgeon right in our back yard
practically. I could not imagine having to make a trip like that just to
get my child good medical attention.
Shortly
after Owen woke up in Phase I, we were moved to Phase II. They
monitored his vitals a little longer and then gave us the all clear to
head home. We stopped by Walgreens and filled his prescription for his
pain medicine and we were home shortly after Noon. It was so nice to be
home after waking up so early and dealing with all of the chaos of a
surgery day. Even after this being our third time going through that
routine, I'll never get used to the nerves and anxiety that comes along
with it. The night before surgery Addie was even a little anxious and
started crying. She said to me, "I wish he was born, but why does he
have to have so many things wrong with him?" Talk about breaking my
heart! I didn't say that I have asked that same question in my head a
million times. I answered that Owen is a perfect little boy and we are
very fortunate that everything that has been wrong is correctable and
treatable. I absolutely love the way Addison loves him and how
protective she is of him. He's her "Bubby wubby."
As
sad as I was to put Owen through another surgery, I definitely did not
mind the extra hugs and snuggles I got from him. He basically laid on me
all day. We even passed out on the couch together and took a 2 hour
nap! He got a few doses of pain medicine and was in bed by 8:30. He woke
up in a much better mood and definitely seemed to be back to the old
Owen by morning.
He
had a follow-up with the surgeon at 1 pm Tuesday and his surgeon said
he is very impressed with how Owen's eye looks and said that Owen's
brain must be so excited that his eyes are finally working together. I
know I am excited! It's so amazing to look at him and see him focus on
something with both eyes. His eye issue wasn't too bad when looking
straight at him but it was definitely noticeable when he had to turn his
head to look at something. Before, you'd see the right eye roll up
while the left eye focused. Then, once the right eye was fixed you'd see
the left eye roll up while the right eye focused. Now they both focus
together and it is so beautiful to see!
He
has another check-up scheduled for August 7th, and two appointments
scheduled in September. One to see Dr. Murthy (plastic surgeon) and Dr.
Hudgins (neurosurgeon) and then... maybe then... we can take a little
break from the monthly hospital trips to Akron Children's. I've counted,
and so far, we've made seven trips there and had two surgeries, with
three more appointments left before the end of the year.. maybe more. I
don't know yet.
Anyways.... I'll end this with a few pictures and say good night. It's been a long week and this mama is very tired!
Doctor Owen ready for surgery! They let him have a scrub cap to play with.
On
our way to Akron Children's Tuesday for his follow-up appointment. He
got a teddy bear from the Volunteer in Recovery that was holding him.
The bear is now named "Teddy" and Owen sleeps with him at night. <3
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