Here we go again
Mason's rescheduled surgery date approached rather quickly. After some confusion over the surgery time we were told to come in at 9 am (originally 10 am). That gave us time to hang out and play with Mason a bit before his surgery. Although both my husband and myself were a bit nervous Mason didn't pick up on it. We arrived at the hospital a bit late (will save that story for another day) but were called back rather quickly. Before we were called back Mason got in a few minutes of play time.
The nurse evaluated Mason who was finally healthy and we were cleared for surgery. I was told to wipe Mason down, change his diaper and to put on his designer hospital duds (North West eat your heart out!).
Mason was his usually happy go-lucky self. Playing with the scale and climbing on the hospital bed, chair and his stroller. The nurse gave him medication that would relax him before they gave him the anesthesia. He slowly started to calm down and was in a bit of a loopy state. My poor drunk like baby.
After a few minutes the nurses took Mason back to the operating room. even in his drunk like state he still cried a bit in protest when he was carried back to the waiting room.
The Long Wait
Dr. Abzug informed us that the surgery wouldn't take long but the surgery coupled with the creation of the cast would take no less than 2 hours. My husband and I went to our usual haunts in the hospital (sad but true) and luckily (for me) the cafeteria was transitioning from breakfast to lunch so we went to a kabob place across the hall. As we ate and talked about mundane work issues, and I sucked on some delicious Mango tea, trying to keep ourselves from thinking about Mason's surgery. We were told to come back to the waiting room around noon and decided to get some coffee and snacks (why does the Univ of Md have to have a Great Cookie stand???), and a nice get well balloon for Mason before we headed back to the waiting room.
As we sat in the waiting room time slowly ticked by. Every time the door would open we were hoping the Dr would be on the other side. Finally he appeared and he told us that the surgery went well. We were so relieved the long wait was finally over and we could exhale a bit. We asked our questions then waited for the nurse to tell us to come back to recovery.
As we sat in the waiting room time slowly ticked by. Every time the door would open we were hoping the Dr would be on the other side. Finally he appeared and he told us that the surgery went well. We were so relieved the long wait was finally over and we could exhale a bit. We asked our questions then waited for the nurse to tell us to come back to recovery.
Recovery
Finally the nurse appeared and told us to come back to recovery. When we walked into the recovery room a nurse was holding Mason while two other nurses attempted to place a heart monitor on his toe. If I wasn't so worried about Mason I would've found the situation quite comical. Three adults teamed up against sedated almost 2 year old and it looked like the 2 year old was winning, lol. At that moment I knew that Mason would be just fine. We stayed in recovery for about an hour or so until we were moved to his hospital room where we would spend the night.
It took some time for Mason to come out of the anesthesia and he was not definitely not happy. I changed his clothes and soon we were wheeled up to his room.
He didn't really use his left hand (it was covered in a net glove to protect his IV) and was definitely not trying to walk.
All of us were pretty tired the next morning. We attempted to get Mason to eat but he wasn't interested in even his favorite fruit bananas (or as he calls it "Nanas!"). We figured that his throat was just sore from the breathing tube. So we kept providing him water and juice to keep him hydrated.
The Dr's assistant came to check Mason out,watch him walk, checked his fingers, inspected his cast then we were given the prescription for Mason's medication. While my husband went to the pharmacy Mason and I went to the playroom. Mason was finally interested in playing with the toys but still wouldn't walk for me. He just whined in protest when I attempted to make him use his legs .
It took Mason a couple of days to get back to normal. He finally started eating again 3 days after surgery. The 2nd night was also rough but an improvement over the first night. Mason even woke up with a smile on his face!
Slowly but surely Mason was back to his normal self. He was climbing on the couch, standing on his bicycle seat and scaring me half to death in the process. He has learned how to maneuver his casted arm and has learned to place toys under his chin to keep his left hand free. It is truly amazing how kids adjust and adapt so quickly.
Right now we are 1/2 way there. We have 2 more weeks until the cast comes off. Will keep you posted!
It took some time for Mason to come out of the anesthesia and he was not definitely not happy. I changed his clothes and soon we were wheeled up to his room.
Overnight and the morning after
The first night was rough. My husband and I slept in recliners on each side of Mason's crib. Between Mason crying and the nurses checking on him we only got a couple hours of sleep. Mason slept on and off and would only drink water and juice.
All of us were pretty tired the next morning. We attempted to get Mason to eat but he wasn't interested in even his favorite fruit bananas (or as he calls it "Nanas!"). We figured that his throat was just sore from the breathing tube. So we kept providing him water and juice to keep him hydrated.
The Dr's assistant came to check Mason out,watch him walk, checked his fingers, inspected his cast then we were given the prescription for Mason's medication. While my husband went to the pharmacy Mason and I went to the playroom. Mason was finally interested in playing with the toys but still wouldn't walk for me. He just whined in protest when I attempted to make him use his legs .
Homeward Bound
Finally we were cleared to go home. My husband got the car and we were so happy to go. We were hoping that Mason would get back to normal in familiar surroundings. Here is Mason on his first day home. Smiling for probably the second time since his surgery.
It took Mason a couple of days to get back to normal. He finally started eating again 3 days after surgery. The 2nd night was also rough but an improvement over the first night. Mason even woke up with a smile on his face!
Slowly but surely Mason was back to his normal self. He was climbing on the couch, standing on his bicycle seat and scaring me half to death in the process. He has learned how to maneuver his casted arm and has learned to place toys under his chin to keep his left hand free. It is truly amazing how kids adjust and adapt so quickly.
Right now we are 1/2 way there. We have 2 more weeks until the cast comes off. Will keep you posted!
