DS had his surgery yesterday

[lukkykatt]

I wanted to give an update on DS. He did have his surgery for meatal stenosis, and it went well. He was pretty irritable and sore yesterday, but seems to be doing better today. The hardest part is gettting him to go to the bathroom, and going through the dilation procedure (2x a day we have a small "dilator" that we have to put in the incision to keep it from closing back up). The doctor told me that older boys have told him that it doesn't hurt, but I think DS is just freaked out about the whole thing (as I would be - I have to admit!)

We had the surgery at Hopkins, and I have to say they were so wonderful with him. Of course, I expected them to be extremely competent, but I wasn't expecting all the "warm and fuzzies" - but they have everything down to a "T". They had 2 Life Specialists in the pre-op waiting room to help the kids go through the process. There were a few babies and 2 older teens, so DS was really the only child who needed much assistance, and they treated him like a little king.

They were making crafts with him, they gave him a mask (that we would later us for his anes) to put scented chapstick in so that it wouldn't smell plasticky, they put stickers on his bracelet, they had him help make photocopies - all kinds of wonderful tricks to help him feel comfortable with the process. Then we had them give him a drug pre-Anes, so that he would be much more relaxed - and it worked like a charm, he was so cute and giddy. Then I took him into the OR and stayed there until he was completely under, at which time I started bawling like a baby. I was proud that I held it together until then though!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we are done with our ordeal and that DS is beginning on the healing process. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and good wishes. It made going through this alot easier!

[jojo2324]

Andrea, that's wonderful!!! Gosh, the hospital sounds great - do you think they could start extending the same courtesy to adults?? :)

Best of luck to you in the coming weeks, and I hope your DS feels tip top in no time!!

[mamahill]

Wow, Andrea - they really do know how to treat a kid like a king! I'm so glad the procedure went well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and hugs to you!

[bluej]

Sounds like everything went wonderfully! Glad he's doing well!

[amp]

Andrea - So glad your DS is on the mend. Sounds like he was a trooper! It also sounds like you were terrific and strong for him when he needed you to be. You all deserve a treat when this is all finished!

[Marisa6826]

Andrea-

That's so great. We, too, were awed by how well we were treated as parents when Sophie had her surgery. Granted, it happened at Childrens' Hospital of Philly and not Hopkins, we had as wonderful an experience as we could have hoped for.

I'm happy that he's on the mend and praying that his recovery isn't too difficult.

hugs

-m

[nitaghei]

So glad to hear that he's begun healing. I had heard good things about Hopkins - when it looked like we might have to take DS there - and it's nice to know that they were so great. Children's in DC was great, too! Though, for us, it was mostly support for the parents, since DS was 3 months old then.

Nita
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[McQ]

So glad he did so well and the surgery is behind you. Hope everything continues to go so well!

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03
and number 2 EDD 9.14.04

[redhookmom]

That almost sounds like fun. I am glad that things went smoothly and I hope his recovery is quick.

[cinrein]

Thanks for letting us know and I'm so glad it went well. I hope he heals quickly and easily. Hugs to you Mama for getting through it--I know it can't have been easy.

Cindy and Anna 2/11/03

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Andrea,
We've been thinking about you guys and so glad that everything not only went fanatastic but exceeded any expectations that you could have had. It sounds like the most wonderful of crews!!!!!!

Please give DS a huge kiss from his buddies Neve and Tristan and let him know we love him and are so proud of him for being such a big guy at the hospital!!!!

Hugs to mommy too...I know it must have been hard on you girlie...and so glad that is behind you all!!!!!
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[starrynight]

Glad his surgery went well and the hospital was so nice to you guys!

[cara1]

Glad he's doing well. I've been wondering when he was going to have his surgery...

[emilyf]

I'm so glad things went well-wishing him a speedy recovery!
Emily \r\nmom of Charlie born 11/02

[wendmatt]

bless your poor little ds, so glad he's doing better. Hope he recovers completely really quickly. Get well soon

[sweetbasil]

We're so glad to hear it, Andrea. You've been in our thoughts/prayers and I hope everyone is well at your house, and that your DS continues to recover quickly and as painlessly as possible!

Hugs,

[doubleL]

Andrea, Great news!! Glad you did so well and that the big guy is on the mend. Hope all is back to usual very soon. Dilation 2x a day... yuck. You both are troopers :)

Lou
~David 5.01
~Elisabeth 6.03

[Andrea S]

Glad to hear everything went well.

Andrea
mom to Andrew 8/14/02

[jubilee]

I was thinking about your little guy- and am so glad to hear the surgery was fine! Speedy recovery!! How long do you have to do the dialator for- that doesn't sound fun at all...

[MartiesMom2B]

Andrea:

I'm glad he was treated so well and that the surgery went well. I hope the healing process is a short one.

Hugs,
Sonia
Proud Mommy to Martie 4/6/03

[houseof3boys]

Andrea I hope the recovery is a speedy one and he is doing better soon!!!!

We are all thinking about you guys. :)

[marinkitty]

So glad to hear it went well! Thanks for letting us know!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03)

[liya]

Glad everything went well....Speedy recovery vibes going your way...

[papal]

Andrea! SO glad everything went off well and all of you were treated so well!! Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[khakismom]

Wishing your DS a quick and speedy recovery! He sounds like quite a champ--and you too Mommy! :)