Down to the hospital we go with no food or drink for the poor baby’s belly. We checked in at 6 am and he sat happily watching Mickey Mouse while nurses took temps, blood pressures, reviewed medial history and had mommy and daddy sign consents.
We met with Dr. Loveless and reviewed the plan – he agreed that he felt it was best to stay overnight, Dr. Loveless looked at ranges again and drew on Easton’s legs – which he thought was pretty silly, they had a serious discussion about cast color (he tried to convince Easton that he wanted pink but Easton was sure he wanted blue) and they shared an adorable hug. We talked to the anesthesiologist and finally the OR nurse. The child life specialist came in to offer to help Easton transition back to the OR – He was happily sitting on Grandpa Diehl’s lap playing on the iPad so she went and got hers for him to play with. About 7:30 he happily got back into the bed and started playing with the new iPad while they rolled him into the OR – looked back once and waved – not a tear!!
We assumed the position in the waiting room for the next few hours. Grandma and Grandpa Diehl were there, Grandma Dogan joined the party after getting the twins off to school and Dara came to the waiting party as well. We heard from the OR nurse about 8:30 letting us know that he had gone to sleep without any issues and that they had started working on the right leg – said she would update us in 2 hours – unless they were done before then. Well, sure enough about an hour and 45 minutes later Dr. Loveless walked out to let us know he was all done and that things had gone great. He said he was able to make the correction he wanted and that we would get to see him shortly, assured us that he would check on him later that afternoon and that they were finishing up the casts.
A bit later, they came out and let us know that they would be bringing Easton up to room B-402 in the next few minutes but told us we were welcome to head that way now so that we would be there when he got there. All 6 of us paraded up there – and waited some more. They wheeled him in – my first thought….”HOLY COW – DR LOVELESS LIED TO ME….THOSE CASTS ARE HUGE!!” So mommy was prepared for casts below the knee but my precious boy showed up with casts ¾ of the way up his thighs…..YIKES!!
He was still pretty groggy but his sweet voice saying “I hold your hand momma” melted this momma’s heart in a second. He enjoyed some apple juice and gradually woke up enough to have some goldfish (and by some I mean two bags!) By the afternoon, he was happily playing the iPad while watching The Disney Channel and holding on to his balloon that Grandma Dogan found in the hospital gift shop – it was a tiger as big as he was – all at the same time. Dr. Loveless walked in to check on him as he was lifting his legs up in the air and bossing everyone in the room around. He laughed and told us it was time to go home – there was obviously no need for us to be here if he was doing that well. I did have words with him about the cast height….his response….”well, I changed my mind” with that smirk of his. (Though it pains me a little to admit this, I’m actually really glad that Dr. Loveless “changed his mind” because with casts that go up so high, he isn’t able to stand up which just means that I am not having to fight him about staying down every 2 ½ seconds!)
I was a little nervous to leave the safety of the hospital but Dr. Loveless felt confident that if he wasn’t hurting at this point he wouldn’t really hurt – and by going home felt we might actually be able to get some sleep since we could all sleep in our own beds – sounded like a plan to me!!
So the nurse took out his IV – the most traumatic event of the day – we loaded up our goodies and headed HOME – less than 12 hours after we arrived!! God is so good!! Poor buddy finally closed his eyes on the way home and was snoring within minutes. At home we set up the couch with some pillows and covers and put Curious George Christmas on TV – at his request - and rested some more until bed time. Our biggest challenge of coming home was figuring out how to help the poor guy sleep on his belly – which ended up being with his feet up in the air. At least his surgery site was elevated that way….right?!! He slept all night – never made a peep. Mommy woke him up to give him pain meds but he went right back to sleep without any issue.
What a crazy long but blessing filled day! Yes my baby boy had surgery but we felt so confident that we were in the best hands with Dr. Loveless and knew that he would treat Easton just like his own grandson! After surgery, Dr. Loveless felt that things had gone very well and was happy with the results. Easton did great, tolerated the anesthesia well and rested comfortably after getting to his room after surgery. Within a few hours, Easton was eating, playing on the iPad and lifting his legs all around – and shortly after that we were packing our things to go home!! God is so so very good!
We had so much support while we were there – thank you for all of that! So many texts, facebook messages, phone calls, people stopping by to check on us – it is so incredible to feel so very loved and to know that so many people are praying for Easton all over the place!!
Day 1 post surgery we took it pretty easy. Easton insisted on laying on the floor (instead of the couch or chair) and wanted to watch Little Einsteins…specifically the same episode over and over and over again. He played a lot of iPad that first day and got in some good cuddles. We did eventually get him to go on a walk in the wagon – but he was pretty sad that he couldn’t ride his bike L and asked me to “take them off” pointing to his casts. That one broke my heart :(.
We’ve been home a week now and I continue to be amazed at how resilient he is. He has figured out how to get around – sometimes on his hands and knees and sometimes scooting on his booty. (this video is from a few days ago....he's so much faster now!!)
I’m in denial that I have to go back to work tomorrow – I was feeling guilty that I only took off a week….Haha!! Now I’m wishing I had taken off the rest of this week too – but not because Easton really NEEDS me – more because I am just enjoying getting things done around here.
We are scheduled to see Dr. Loveless on February 1st – Easton was supposed to wear these casts for 4 weeks but since Dr. Loveless called an audible in the OR and went for “above the knee” casts (read: casts inches away from where his legs meet his body) he agreed to change them to below the knee casts that Easton could walk on after only 3 weeks – Thank goodness!!
Until then, we plug along. Prayers appreciated….and we will keep everyone updated!!
Specific prayer request that is actually not related to his surgery….
I wont go into all the gory details but prayers for wisdom and direction for doctors and for us as we deal with some GI stuff – all “normal” spina bifida drama but frustrating and stressful all at the same time!! Thanks
Again thank you everyone for the texts, hugs, facebook messages, phone calls and prayers – they were felt and continue to be felt. It feels awesome to feel loved!!
(I posted some pictures on the pictures page….for those of you that have facebook….many of them might look familiar)
Love and Hugs,
The Diehls
PS – I’m going to have to back track and write about Christmas…..It will happen eventually!