Mason’s Journey through the Land of Brachial Plexus Part III

Pre-Op

Alter Ego

Well the day of reckoning finally had arrived. After postponing Mason’s April appointment for his botox procedure (due to a pesky cold!) we rescheduled for Memorial Day weekend.  While people were busy making cookout and pool plans, we were trying to figure out how to dress and cope with our son’s impediment.

Since Mason required anesthesia, he was not allowed to drink milk 4 hours prior to his procedure, and no liquids up to 2 hours before.  I woke him up at 4 am to nurse, then again at 6 am so that he could drink some juice or Pedialyte. He wasn’t feeling the juice or the Pedialyte so I was in panic mode that once we got to the hospital his hungry, and inconsolable alter ego would make an impromptu appearance.  Fortunately, luck was on our side and his alter ego was held at bay due to our son’s deep interest in the other families milling around the hospital waiting room. 

Here is a picture of us before entering the hospital. Mason had no idea what he was in for.

 

Butterflies

After we checked in we waited for the nurse to call us back so they could prep Mason and start the anesthesia.  Every time the door opened we nervously waited for the nurse to beckon the next patient. After about 45 minutes our time had arrived. We were escorted back to Mason’s temporary room.  Dr. Abzug’s assistant walked us through everything that would occur with the procedure and even Mason was paying close attention.

 

Mason was given a hospital gown and we were told to place his clothes in a bag. Next, the anesthesia Dr. and nurse explained the anesthesia process. First, Mason would receive was a rectal pre-anesthesia that would be used to relax Mason so he wasn’t anxious once he was separated from us.  This would make him feel loopy but he would still be conscious. This is a picture of Mason after the pre-anesthesia kicked in. He was loopy, smiling and even trying to babble. This is when my butterflies kicked in. Although I understood that it was necessary I didn’t like seeing my son that way.

 Next Mason would receive another type of anesthesia to put him to sleep and they would also be inserting a breathing tube since Mason would not be breathing on his own. Hold the presses, a breathing tube?  I played it cool but I was very concerned. The butterflies that were already fluttering inside my stomach had morphed into pigeons fighting for pecking order.

I just nodded at the anesthesia Dr. thinking ok this is not their first time to the rodeo and that they were experienced, highly educated people that knew what they were doing. I had to put things into perspective. The purpose of this procedure was to ensure that Mason had a better quality of life and we are hoping that we will see some improvement once the cast is removed.

Dr. Abzug stopped by prior to the procedure to walk us through everything again and make sure that we didn’t have any questions.  Soon after he left the anesthesia Dr. and nurse told us that they were ready for Mason.  My husband and I gave Mason some kisses and he was off to the operating room for his procedure.