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

Post Op

Wake up

My husband and I were told that Mason should be ready in an hour so we headed downstairs to get some food. Before we knew it an hour had passed and we returned upstairs to the waiting room.  Dr. Abzug met us in the waiting room to tell us that the procedure was successful and Mason was doing just fine. He also explained that they were just waiting for him to wake up from the anesthesia. After he left it was about another 20 minutes before they escorted us back to Mason’s post op room.

When we walked into the room Mason was lying in his little hospital bed still knocked out from the anesthesia. He had an oxygen hose on his chest to help him breathe. My husband and I sat down and just waited for him to wake up. We were there for another half an hour before Mason started to stir. The first thing Mason did was knock that oxygen tube right off of his chest and onto the floor. Our spunky son was already at it! Here is a picture of him right after he woke up.

 

I nursed him immediately (before his alter ego could appear) and once he was done he started crying. We were really concerned although we were told that children typically wake up crying since they are a bit disoriented from the anesthesia. The nurse removed the IV from Mason’s foot and then gave him some Tylenol. We were told that his throat still be sore from the breathing tube.

After the Tylenol Mason calmed down and just observed everything. My husband had run to the car get the car seat to make sure that Mason would fit with his new hardware.

A RN helped us place Mason in the car seat to see if he would fit. It was a no go. Luckily, the Univ of Md had a program that allows patients to rent car seats for situations like ours.

We received all of our post op instructions from the nurse and I started getting Mason ready to go home, meanwhile my husband and the RN went to get the car and install our loaner car seat.  As I was dressing Mason I realized that the shirt (a size bigger than what he normally wears) that he arrived in was a no –go. The bar on the spica cast was preventing me from putting his arm through the sleeve. So I cut the shirt up one side and just placed it over his head and his left arm.  I knew that I was going to have to find shirts that worked for daycare.
 

Along with assistance from a nurse I adjusted the straps on his stroller, strapped him in, and we were on our way to the car!

Homeward bound

The ride home was short but Mason was fussy. He wasn’t screaming but was whining. The whining continued an hour or two after we arrived home.  My husband and I were stroking him, holding his hand trying to console him but he continued to whine. We were both very concerned and called Mason’s pediatrician to find out how soon we could give him another dose of Tylenol. We just assumed that he was in pain. 

We decided to hold off on the Tylenol since enough time hadn’t elapsed since his last dose, and just wait it out.  I removed his ripped tee and dressed him in one of my shirts for bed.

 

 Eventually Mason started to calm down and he fell asleep. My husband and I just kept hoping that this would pass once the anesthesia completely wore off.  The first night was hard Mason woke up a few times throughout the night; he was getting adjusted to sleeping in his cast. 

 

The Mornings After
 

Mason was slowly getting back to his normal self. He was playing but still a little fussy (we assumed it was due to a sore throat from the breathing tube).  His grandparents couldn’t wait to see him so they all came over to visit with him. He was quiet but playful. 
 

 

 

Mason still woke up that night but only one time (we were almost back to normal!).  Day Three and Four were much better Mason was playing, talking and even scooting on his belly.

 

We found some little boys shirts (size 10) that were big enough to make their way over his Spica cast. So his shirts are huge but at least we found shirts that fit!!

This experience has been a real eye opener. It’s amazing how resilient children are. Mason’s cast doesn't even phase him. He’s been amazing. He has adjusted great in daycare and has not let his cast slow him down. 

Mason's cast comes off in three weeks!!  Stay tuned for an update on his cast removal and subsequent physical therapy sessions!