Post-Op Report

Day 1: AMAZING! T comes off the anesthesia on a high. Wants to eat and drink everything. No pain. Takes the meds without a problem (this is a minor miracle if you know him!) Me: "Are they yummy, T?" (hoping to incite enthusiasm for the taste); T: "No, they're REALLY yummy!" Yes!!!!!

Our first night goes well. I take the night shift of drug admin. and sleep on the floor of their room. Not too shabby.

Day 2: The day starts out great. T looks a little more peaked, but makes no complaint of pain. The codeine is doing its job. Mama leaves for an all-day DC bridal shower. GG does a great job with the crew BUT T starts to develop a fever. And plays too much. And goes on the swing set!!! (while the Mommy's away, the mice def. played!! Don't worry, I gave GG a good scolding!) By bedtime, T is HOT! GG pulls night duty and prays a Rosary for an hour from 4-5am sitting vigil by T's bed, he is so worried (Note: it takes a LOT to worry my GG! So I know something is definitely up!!!)

Day 3: We start out by taking T's temp. 101.7 The recommended range is 99-101, so we know we're pushing it. GG and I tag team Mass in the morning. T sleeps the entire time. We switch the meds to Ibuprofen, hoping to get T off the codeine (which causes upset stomach--one of his complaints--and constipation). The fever abates with the new meds.

I call the on-call doc and we start to suspect the start of pneumonia. We switch back to codeine and have to watch the fever. If it spikes again, we need to bring him in. We wait... We suspend the drugs. We hydrate like crazy. We wait another 2 hours. Low-grade fever returns but no more! Hallelujah! T heads to bed in good spirits...

and now, so do his parents.

According to the docs, day 4 (tomorrow) is typically a rough day so we're gearing up for it. Overall, though, I will say I'm so relieved we are doing this at age 5 rather than age 3. Thinking of trying to accomplish all of this with a feisty 3yo is an exhausting thought! T is being such a trooper. He has not complained or cried once. I'm so proud of how maturely he's handled everything... Thanks be to God we are three days in with only a week or so left of recovery.

We can do anything for a week, especially if life on the other side is much happier for my little man!

God bless,