We are home...Finally.
We spent the past couple nights at the Hospital. I would have updated sooner, but there was no Internet there, even if there had been I would have been to exhausted to go on it anyway.
We spent the past couple nights at the Hospital. I would have updated sooner, but there was no Internet there, even if there had been I would have been to exhausted to go on it anyway.
Everything went smoothly with Russell...Thank you to all who sent notes asking how things went, it meant a lot to me to get home today and read them.
We got to the Hospital around 8:30am on Tuesday. After being admitted we waited in our room to be called down to surgery. Brad hated the bed Russell was in and he wouldn't let me take a picture of it...He said he didn't want a picture of his son in a cage! lol
I took one when he wasn't looking...
Russell was happy while waiting, kind of made me feel bad for him cause he didn't know what was coming...This boy loves his Dad...
The hat kept him entertained for a while...
But it wasn't long before he was fed up...He put his Dad's hat on and walked to the door saying goodbye to us while waving...lol
He can't open doors yet so he was trapped and could not escape...
He was forced to wait some more...
Finally we got called down...Russell got suited up...He despises the gowns!
Waiting for the surgery is the worst...And then you get butterflies in your stomach as you see them walk over to come and take your baby away. I was a little more nervous when they walked over and said "So he's here for some tubes"...I looked at them and said "No, he has tubes, he is here for tonsil and adenoid removal"...So they flipped through his chart and made sure everything was in order. They must have just had the wrong page or something because it was this time last year we went in for tubes.
So the Nurse came over and took Russell and as she started to walk away with him he was looking back at me with great big eyes saying..."Ma, Ma"...That was hard.
We waited for about an hour and then they came and got us because Russell was waking up...They said he was pretty upset, and when we walked in a Nurse was holding him and he was crying...When he saw us he cried louder. It felt good to hold him and have him know we were there...But after that he was suspicious of anyone who came near us and he watched the Nurses like a hawk.
He seemed ok after the surgery and I though things would go pretty good...But I think he was so quiet because he was just pretty medicated...Once that wore off it was a different story.
What sucked the most was they had him hooked up to an IV...So there was that in his one hand, and then on his toe they had the heart monitor thingy hooked up...So it was very hard for him to move and it pissed him off to no end!
About an hour or so after the surgery the crying began...And he cried and fussed and yelled for almost five hours straight! I can't believe he didn't hurt his throat! Nothing could soothe him...He didn't want a single thing we offered...He didn't want to be held and he didn't want to sit alone...He swatted, smacked, spit, yelled, headbutted and kicked every thing and everyone. It was rough. I felt so bad for him.
The first night was horrible.
Brad and I both spent the night and took turns trading off holding Russell. Neither of us slept for more than an hour the entire night. At one point he ripped his IV out and there was blood everywhere! The good thing was they didn't put it back in!!
By the next morning he was still pretty grumpy. We took him into the play room and two of his most favorite Nurses back from when he was born and spent a few weeks in the NICU came up to visit him. It was so great to see them, and it always touches Brad and I to know they still love him and care about him.
Thank you Jan and Jodie for the visit, we love you guys!
By afternoon Russell was in a better mood...He wanted to walk the halls over and over again...I think he just really enjoyed peeking into peoples rooms! lol
But by evening he was feeling grumpy again...I noticed very early on that if we were even an hour late with his pain medication he was hit pretty hard and would cry for an hour or two. Giving him his medication was hard...We had to hold him down...Once while a Nurse was trying to give him some he kicked her in the head, on purpose...It was kind of embarrassing...Guess she got a quick lesson on how kids with Down syndrome are NOT always happy and loving and sweet.
The second night was horrible...Russell's stupid monitor went off constantly cause he kept kicking it off. I mean when you sleep like this...
There really is no hope in hell that it will stay on!
So last night was rough. I was up the entire night. Russell was eating and drinking enough throughout the night though that we were able to get discharged today. It sure feels good to be home. It was great to see the kids after school and have them all come running in and giving us hugs...We hadn't seen them since Tuesday.
Then they all ran down the hall looking for Russell...I love how my kids adore their baby brother.
Overall Russell is doing pretty good. We have not been able to get him to eat much...Brads starting to worry...I am not terribly worried...I think he will eat more as time goes on and at least he is drinking.
He has moments of pure agony where he throws fits and nothing comforts him...Hopefully that settles down also within the next few days.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...I don't think there is a more supportive community than the Ds community, and it really is an honor to be a part of it with all you guys.
Thank you also to my Mom who watched all the kids for us both nights, we appreciate everything you do for us Mom, we love you! And thanks Keely, for making us dinner tonight, you're the best sister ever!!
And now I need some sleep!
So the Nurse came over and took Russell and as she started to walk away with him he was looking back at me with great big eyes saying..."Ma, Ma"...That was hard.
We waited for about an hour and then they came and got us because Russell was waking up...They said he was pretty upset, and when we walked in a Nurse was holding him and he was crying...When he saw us he cried louder. It felt good to hold him and have him know we were there...But after that he was suspicious of anyone who came near us and he watched the Nurses like a hawk.
He seemed ok after the surgery and I though things would go pretty good...But I think he was so quiet because he was just pretty medicated...Once that wore off it was a different story.
The first night was horrible.
Brad and I both spent the night and took turns trading off holding Russell. Neither of us slept for more than an hour the entire night. At one point he ripped his IV out and there was blood everywhere! The good thing was they didn't put it back in!!
By the next morning he was still pretty grumpy. We took him into the play room and two of his most favorite Nurses back from when he was born and spent a few weeks in the NICU came up to visit him. It was so great to see them, and it always touches Brad and I to know they still love him and care about him.
Thank you Jan and Jodie for the visit, we love you guys!
But by evening he was feeling grumpy again...I noticed very early on that if we were even an hour late with his pain medication he was hit pretty hard and would cry for an hour or two. Giving him his medication was hard...We had to hold him down...Once while a Nurse was trying to give him some he kicked her in the head, on purpose...It was kind of embarrassing...Guess she got a quick lesson on how kids with Down syndrome are NOT always happy and loving and sweet.
The second night was horrible...Russell's stupid monitor went off constantly cause he kept kicking it off. I mean when you sleep like this...
So last night was rough. I was up the entire night. Russell was eating and drinking enough throughout the night though that we were able to get discharged today. It sure feels good to be home. It was great to see the kids after school and have them all come running in and giving us hugs...We hadn't seen them since Tuesday.
Then they all ran down the hall looking for Russell...I love how my kids adore their baby brother.
Overall Russell is doing pretty good. We have not been able to get him to eat much...Brads starting to worry...I am not terribly worried...I think he will eat more as time goes on and at least he is drinking.
He has moments of pure agony where he throws fits and nothing comforts him...Hopefully that settles down also within the next few days.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...I don't think there is a more supportive community than the Ds community, and it really is an honor to be a part of it with all you guys.
Thank you also to my Mom who watched all the kids for us both nights, we appreciate everything you do for us Mom, we love you! And thanks Keely, for making us dinner tonight, you're the best sister ever!!
And now I need some sleep!
Glad your home, and he's doing pretty well : )
ReplyDeletedamn hospital for having no internet! I have been waiting by fb for an update :) Glad to hear it all went well and that you are home :)
ReplyDeleteGlad things went well; I hope Russell is feeling better quickly and you all are able to get some good sleep.
ReplyDeleteI had a kid in my class that had his tonsils out, and he ended up losing like 15 lbs. It just took a long time for his throat to feel ok so he could eat much. But he drank a bunch and it all turned out ok. :) poor sweet Russell. I know how miserable sleeping in the hospital can be... hooray for being home!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you get some rest! I've had you all on my mind!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, now that you are home, things will settle down and sleep will come to all! It is never fun when you are worried about your little one...hugs to you all!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad things went "well" and that you're home now!! Poor little guy - he'll start feeling better soon. :-) Love the pics, especially the one of him in the hat heading for the door. And his sleeping position - whoa. No wonder the monitors went off!! hahaha
ReplyDeleteHope you got some sleep! (((hugs)))
I'm glad Russell is doing well. I know how it is to be in the hospital and not getting sleep!! He's the cutest little boy!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about your little guy....so glad everything went well for Russell! I hope he will be feeling better real soon. Try to get some sleep over the weekend :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank God it went well. Yes, it is a painful recovery, so it is not a lot of fun, but I am glad that all is as expected. Dehydration is the most worrisome part at that point, really, since the pain meds can help with the pain. Hoping you get some sleep, Jenny and that Russell starts to feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI had been stalking this blog and your facebook page waiting for an update! I am so happy to read that Russell is home. I hope his recovery is quick and that you all are able to get some rest soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys are home and Russell is doing okay! We were only in the hospital until 4:30 in the afternoon and those were the longest hours ever...I can't imagine having to stay there that many nights! Keeping on top of the pain meds was key for us and as long as he's drinking I wouldn't worry about the food - he'll eat if he gets too hungry but the most important thing is hydration! Day 7 was our turning point, by then Sutter was back to his normal self and even w/o the codine (kept him on tylenol for 10 days). Hopefully this weekend you guys can catch up on your sleep!!!
ReplyDeleteYEAH!! so glad you all are home and in good shape!! I was getting worried! but hospital internet is so sketchy! this a great time to check this off the list! smiles
ReplyDeleteI HATE that I'm just now getting to comment on this! I'm sooo glad it went well. You guys were almost constantly on my heart and I got all nervous when I couldn't find any updates! I understand the exhaustion thing though...sadly only too well. YAYAYAY for being home- and yes, load him up on any many pain meds as you are allowed. No need for you to have to deal with monster-post-surgery child if you don't have to!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he's home and doing well! And I have to say, he even looks adorable during a hospital ordeal! THAT takes talent!
ReplyDelete