Brody is doing well but is still in the PICU on ventilator helping him breathe and is getting a constant IV drip to control the pain and help him sleep. They are keeping a close eye on him and either Trish or I have been at his bedside since he was brought in here. Trish went home fore a few hours to eat and pack some stuff.... I have a backpack already packed with 2 days worth of stuff.... she got back here a little before 9 pm. Trish let me sleep from about 9 pm to 1 am and after I got some coffee and a bite I let her lay down about 1:40... hopefully she will get a good nights sleep... neither one of us slept much the night before his surgery.
He does wake up momentarily when they disturb him (to clear his vent tube, turn him on his sides a bit, and sometimes when they take his vitals)-- he is awake enough to be scared so we try to talk to him to keep him calm (tell him the truth-- how he is doing great, they took the tumor out and that we need to keep the tube in his throat til tomorrow) ... he can't talk with his vent tube but can shake or nod his head with yes or no questions.... he goes back to sleep pretty quick after we calm him down a bit. Trish's parents (Gary and Karen), Brother (Danny), Sister (Julie), and Niece (Ella) are staying with the boys at our house tonight.... they all got to see him briefly in the PICU before they went home after he got up here...
While we hate tubes (after his last stay here) he has quite a few in him now.... I count him having 7 tubes (IV in each arm, his chest port is accessed, foley tube, and his vent, gastro tube as well as one other small one going into his mouth that I'm not sure the purpose of... as well as heart/breathing sensors, pulse ox sensor and BP cuff.
They plan on taking him of the ventilator in the morning some time. He seems very stable-- heartrate, blood pressure, oxygen, and respiration are all good.... they are obviously keeping a close eye on him.
We are hoping his surgery recovery is quick and uneventful and he is well enough to leave the PICU soon.... while we a grateful for the excellent care he gets here... we obviously want him well enough to not have to be here.
He has been moving both his legs pretty well (kicking off a blanket)-- I was a bit worried about them working near his nerves going to his left leg-- the tumor was attached where there was alot of stuff-- (vein/artery going to his left leg, ureter, and some nerves... the Surgeon took his time and hopefully got it all.
The removed tumor will be examined by a pathologist and they will see how much if any of the tumor is still cancerous or if it is all now just dead tissue (killed by the chemo)-- if it is all dead then this improves his pronosis but will not affect his treament-- he will keep on the the scheduled treatment regardless... which will take him till the end of the year and possibly early into next year.
Once again Brody has a very proud dad-- he has been such a trooper through all of this... and for the most part has made it easy on his Mom and Dad.
More later...
Having your child in surgery for that long is agonizing, I know but it is amazing how fast they bounce back. the first few days is the hardest. Especially when you see them in pain and all you can do is tell them it's going to feel better soon. It's been one year to the day since Jenny's surgery and we were astounded how fast she recovered. I'm sure Brody is going to amaze you too!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs to all.
Theresa and Family
Dear Family, Thank you for keeping us informed.This is the hardest thing a parent ever has to do,dealing with a critically ill child and the children who wait anxiously at home.Bill and Tricia,you have demonstrated the strength and tenacity of champions. You have been examples of love and caring support for one another throughout this critical time. We salute you and are inspired by you. One step at a time, one day at a time, keep moving forward, stay close,.....love one another. And keep in our hearts the memory of this difficult time, to remind us what is really important during this journey on which we travel only once:Family,Friends,Care,Concern,Action,Support,Love. Elaine XXXOOO
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