All Healed

Braeden had his post-op exam just over a week ago, and while he was still a bit swollen and bruised at the time, he got a great report, everything looking good.

Now the sutures have all dissolved and he's totally back to himself, although he's discovered great fascination with his private parts, maybe because things look so different there now, and probably feel different too.

He continues one of his favorite things - somersaults. They were temporarily suspended after his surgery, but he's up to doing them again. He's also just starting to use the potty - success twice this past week. He's still pretty young for it, so I wouldn't push him, but if he shows an interest I'll definitely help him along.

We're having a heatwave right now, so Brae's not too interested in playing outside. But last week when it was cooler, he was playing ball with the boy next door (who's 7 years old). He was tossing the ball to Braeden, and we were both surprised when Brae caught it most of the time. He loves J. so much. I'm glad he has time to play with Braeden most afternoons after he gets home from school.

I'm gearing up for my cataract surgery in 2 weeks. I hope and pray to get some vision back in that eye, because I'm really down to just shadows now, and it's getting really frustrating. I can hardly see well enough to get Braeden's meals, even changing his diaper's harder now. But while the radiation caused all the damage, at least once the cataract's removed that part of the damage will be gone.

I've got so much to write about Braeden's adventures, but dangit, when I sit down to write, I totally forget most of them. I'll have to make a list for next time.

Surgery Is Over

Braeden had his surgery yesterday. The procedure went well, the doctor was extremely pleased, and Braeden was a brave little guy. We were home 4 hours after the surgery began, so it wasn't a long stay. It was sad seeing them wheel him into the discharge room. All we could see was his little face since they had him strapped to the gurney and he was covered with blankets. He was sobbing, his whole body shaking. Once they unstrapped him and I could hold him, he settled right down.

They gave him what they call a "caudal" - an injection in his lower back to numb the surgical area, something that lasts 4-5 hours post surgery. He couldn't walk at all while the caudal was still active - his legs were numb and he couldn't stand up. Once it started to wear off, I took him outside for a few minutes. He could hear the neighborhood kids out there and wanted to go out to see them, but didn't want to stay outside long.

After the caudal wore off, Brae had considerable pain. You could tell when he walked that it hurt very badly, and he couldn't bend down to pick up a book. All he wanted was to snuggle on the couch with daddy, hanging on tight to his blankie and teddy, then trying to get up and walk again. We got a prescription for Tylenol with codeine, but so far haven't given it to him, but have stuck with simple Tylenol drops. They seem to take the pain away, and the surgeon suggested using those first, and saving the strong stuff for those times when he might really need it.

He's slept through the night, which surprises me. I'll get him up at his usual time, change his diaper and get some Tylenol in him before his breakfast. He vomited once after we got him home yesterday, which they said was very possible, the car ride upsetting his tummy, but after that he was holding down juice, water, yogurt, and eventually his dinner (we kept it on the light side).

I know he'll still be very sore today, but he's allowed to have a bath Wednesday, although I think we'll stick with sponge baths a few more days, and goes for his post-op check-up the 16th. The sutures are the dissolving kind, so no suture removal in his future.

And so the hypospadias repair is over. The surgeon didn't have to repair Braeden's urethra, so no catheter or anything. He straightened the chordee (bend), and completed the circumcision nature started, and that was it.

Please Pray For Braeden

Braeden's hypospadias surgery is this coming Monday. Please pray for him and for me. If I don't have a total meltdown before this is all over, it'll be a miracle. The thoughts of that little guy undergoing surgery terrify me, but I know it's something that needs to be done, and better now, when he won't really remember anything about it.

I'll post again sometime next week to let anyone who still reads this know how he's doing. I'll concentrate on my own upcoming surgery after Braeden's is over and he's recovered. At least I've got a month between his and mine. Sheesh, medical stuff really sucks, especially when it all seems to pile up at once.

We'd all appreciate any extra prayers you can send Brae's way. Thanks!!