2 week post op #4

So today I took Nathan for his two week post-op visit with Dr. Mark. Dr. is very happy with his healing everything is looking good. No holes, no issues, but since he still does have some stitches in there, we are to continue on pureed foods and keep the No-No's on. Booooooo. I very much dislike this part and so does Nathan. He wants to eat food so bad, he can't see anyone eating food. He gets really upset. He has been really stuffy at night time, and it is keeping him from sleeping, I asked doctor and he can't seem to pin point it to something specifically related to the palatoplasty. So I am to continue with the humidifier and also try some saline, which I haven't used yet. Lets see hopefully it will help him. One more post-op visit in 2 weeks!

1 week postop #4

Today we took the kids in for there annual check ups. Nathan has lost 2 Lbs since surgery, which is only 10 days ago. He is now below the 10 percentile he was before surgery. I have to find some fattening food to thicken this kid up. He was already skinny before surgery now he is skin and bones. Seriously . . . . . . . Mean while Ms. Briana is in the 95th percentile. They both got some shots, Nathan 4 Briana 1. She is being more dramatic about it than he is. I am not going to lie, having to keep him in this liquid diet thing is killing me. He hates not eating food, he sees us eat and goes bonkers for food. Got hang in there, I really didn't think that the eating part of this surgery would be the worst part.

Day 2 postop #4

So, today Nathan woke up with a cheek that is not so swollen, now its about the size of a golf ball. The poor little guy, he is slowly but surely increasing his bottle intake. I forgot to mention yesterday that the pediatrician at the hospital did a blood test on Nathan yesterday and they found his Hemoglobin low, so he will need to be on iron supplement starting in one to two weeks. Then we are to follow with our pediatrician to see what his number is in about 6 to 8 weeks. It's amazing how much of a trooper the little man is, last night he wouldn't let me put him in his crib again but he did sleep for a few hours at a time in my arms. I got to take a shower this morning (yay!). We should be on our way home tomorrow. They decreased his IV so his appetite is increasing. He had 4oz of formula within 2 hours. Love my little man so much, he sure is a little trooper.

Day 1 postop #4

Today Nathan woke up with a very swollen right cheek. Its from where the doctors took a flap for his palate. He woke up in the middle of the night and was actually happy and smiling. He is drinking, but very little. Today doctor said that if he drank 16 oz. he could go home today, but I really don't see that happening. He is drinking about 1oz at a time, but I am squeezing it in his mouth and he is still fighting me. Slowly but surely we will get there. I feel so bad for him and his cheek, it is about the size of a tennis ball. the poor little guy. He is still on Tylenol with Codine, no morphine though, which is really good. Just gotta keep working on the eating.

Surgery #4

We are here at the hospital. It has been 3 hours since the beginning of surgery, we have been updated every hour. This will be a longer surgery, and there is also a chance of new ear tubes. This surgery is for his palate repair. I am really praying that this will be the last surgery for a while. I pray that everything will heal nicely and we won't have to re do anything anytime soon, or even better ever. I will keep posting as we receive more information. Surgery lasted almost 5 hours, Nathan is now sleeping. He had just a little bit of apple juice, but at least he is resting, since he has been up since 3am. He is keeping his diaper nice and wet, including me. The nurses had a diaper on him that was too small so he peeped all over me. Yay for me! Its amazing how every surgery he does better and better. Such a strong little man.

Happy 1st!

Today is Nathan's big day. He is turning ONE. Time really does fly doesn't it!? We are having a birthday party a dress up, Halloween party. Nathan is dressing as Andy and Briana is Raggety Ann. Happy Birthday to the cutest little boy ever. This past year that we have had him in our lives has not only been amazing, but such a blessing. He shows me everyday how blessed I am. With his next surgery coming up I can't help but to think of how brave he is. So far with 3 surgeries under his belt, he is as happy as can be. Yes, he does have his occasional screaming fits, but who doesn't? His personality is coming out more and more, and he is such a lovable little man. He loves to snuggle and smooch. He loves his sister so much and his cloths are his best friends. He loves to suck on the little corners of them. I love his spirit, his beautiful eyes full of life. I love that he is mine Love you little man!

Pre Op #4

Today we headed to the surgeons office for a pre-op visit. Surgery is in 8 days yeeck! I very much dislike pre-op, for a couple of different reasons. One it means surgery is right around the corner, two they do a blood draw every time. Nathan is such a trooper though, he never cries, pretty impressive right. Today we got to the draw lab and there was a baby screaming in the room. Another one in the lobby with some serious rash, (maybe chicken pox) also waiting for a blood draw. His name was called and in we went, such a little trooper. I always tell them the easiest place to draw his blood is his hand, they can never get it in his arm or foot, but his little hand is his lucky charm. First try, three tubes not a peep. He even smiled at the lady, such a sweet angel. For his palate surgery a couple of things we will have to look for: longest surgery so far, possibly longest hospital stay, no solid foods for a good 3 weeks to a month, no-no's for a good 3 weeks too. Dreading the waiting room during surgery, I hate sitting there it's the worst place to be. And this time around we will be there for ooohhh 3-5 hours. You know the saying "God never gives you more than you can handle", man is this little guy strong, he has handled so much and all in less than one year of life. Nathan's birthday is Saturday, 2 days before surgery. Can't wait to celebrate my little man's amazing first year!