Forest is out of surgery

[chelidon]

The surgeon and the anaesthesiologist agree that "it couldn't have gone better." They also said this is one of the two most painful procedures they do, so an epidural painkiller is a real blessing. It's so hard to see anyone you love in pain, all the worse when they're six. They're serious about pain management here for kids, thankfully. Forest has been zoned out for the past several hours, but is now awake, fairly alert, and watching a "Magic Schoolbus" video. Having a partner who works at the hospital is also a blessing, someone who knows how to make sure the right people do the right things at the right time. This hospital is far and away the best I've seen anywhere in the world, especially in terms of the consistently high level of care and consideration given to patients, but even here, it always helps to have an advocate near at hand. Right now, we're waiting for an on-call anaesthesiologist to arrive, because there's an off-chance the epidural catheter got partially pulled out when we had to quickly elevate Forest to deal with some sudden post-surgery nausea. I am also glad that I speak the language of trauma care and medical lingo. [EDIT: the anaesthesiologist showed up promptly and set up a new epidural pump, apologizing profusely for not coming sooner due to being involved in an emergency care situation -- this place is *such* a good hospital...]

I am very tired. I got a grand total of 1/2 hour of sleep last night, and I hope to sleep like a rock tonight, eventually. Thank you to all of you for your thoughts, support and love, I appreciate it more than I can say. Those of you who want to call the hospital room, give a call to Casa Chaos, and lylythe_strega has the info. I'll post more news here as I can. Love to all.

Comments

[draiguisge.livejournal.com]

Hooray!

*big hugs* to help you through the month.

Love you!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

So far, very good, and I am very, very grateful. Thanks, and much hugs and love to you, m'dear :>

[k-navit.livejournal.com]

Belated best wishes and general blessings in your direction.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and your good wishes and thoughts are very much appreciated.

[thefirespiral.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it went well!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Whew. One of those times when you suddenly breathe, not having realized you'd been holding your breath for way too long... so hard to see my boy in pain, but now just a few days down the road the hardest part is keeping him from moving around too much and in ways he's not supposed to yet ;>

[mystfemme.livejournal.com]

I have not been paying attention! I'm so sorry!!

Blessings to you and yours and may you all land comfortably on the other side of this soon.

Much love to you.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Zann, and I appreciate your good thoughts and wishes, and blessings are always gratefully accepted :> We're part-way through already, past some of the hardest stuff, and so far, so good.

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad it sounds like things went well.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much, and I'm very, very grateful for how well it's all going so far.

Oh Gods!

[cerr.livejournal.com]

I have only just seen these about your son - Gods yes, it's terrifying to have your child in surgery or in pain of any kind - when our son was born he was a NICU baby and they wheeled me in to see him just as they were putting his chest tube in and intubating him - as much as I understood that he needed those things, I could hear him crying and I swear, a piece of my soul slipped away - I wanted to tear the heads off of all of those people who hurt him - on some level I knew they were saving him, but still......oh it was a hard thing to just sit there unable to stand (epidural) and not rush to his side - I look at him now (see userpic) and see this happy, healthy, hysterically funny wee lad with sparkling brown eyes so like his big sister's.......and every year there's a meet-up/reunion for the NICU babies and I have grown to absolutely adore the NICU staff and the docs - would move the moon for these people who saved my baby boy - I grew up in and around hospitals (mum's a nurse) and have always been comfortable in them - that said, it's a whole different ballgame when you're talking about your child/spouse (who's going in Tuesday AM as well......) ah well......energy's en route for a speedy recovery and rest for you and your Casa-Mates!

Re: Oh Gods!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

thanks for the heart-cheering story, and the energy and good thoughts! Rest has been somewhat hard to get for the adults here, but I'm looking forward to a relatively quiet weekend with all of us at home for recharging a bit before the next phase of "medical month." Forest is doing great -- we'll see how he is later today after the epidural is gone, but right now the hard part is keeping him from moving around too much in ways he's not supposed to move. That's a good problem, I think!

[ravenedgewalker.livejournal.com]

I'm SO glasd it went well. many prayers for swift and pain-free healing for Forest and deep sleep for your self.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks so very much, my dear -- the first couple of days were really rough, but yesterday and today were great, and he should be coming home tomorrow afternoon (which will have its own challenges, namely keeping him from doing too much, too fast, and messing something up internally). He's such a trooper, it's amazing to see, and hard to watch him have to be, all at the same time, you know? The weekend is kind of intermission, then on into Act 2...

[humidcityloki.livejournal.com]

Candles are lit, libation consumed, glass raised in your direction.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

You know how much your support means to me, mi comrade. I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance to contribute anything in the way of thoughts about yer new writing gig (congrats!), but I don't know what I could have said that would have been useful. When this all settles down, though, I'll be more than happy to bend yer ear in whatever way you think might help in any way. And I'm personally thrilled that you decided to postpone the big day -- assuming all is well here health-wise, I should be able to make it down to NOLA for it, woo hoo! Can't wait :>

[erskine.livejournal.com]

My best wishes to the little guy.

E.

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dude.

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

:> F. is doing so well - Paul and I are stopping to see him on the way home tonight.

Love to you, to C., and to "our boy"...see you tonight!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

I can't even begin to say how much your and Paul's support in so many ways has helped, and how grateful I am for your presence and relentless support. Hugs, smooches, and great big handmade chocolate truffles all over yer lovely self. Seriously...thank you, darlin'.

[lylythe-strega.livejournal.com]

:> Anytime, love, anytime...and all of the above good stuff relentlessly backatyerself as well... ;>

Juleps all around tonight?

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

All around what? ;>