Resting at Home

It has been a long day. We left home at 5:30AM and returned at 2:30PM. The surgery went fine but we had a little scare during post-op when Joseph's heart rate stayed elevated. It took longer than expected before we could go home. It turned out that he had become dehydrated and that was causing his heart to pump faster than it should. Once they got some fluids in him he was fine and we were given the OK to head out. However, for a short time we were reminded what it was like back when Joseph was in the ICU. It was a memory better left unstirred. There was also a good side to it. When things were once again out of control we relied on the thoughts and prayers of Joseph's community. Friends and family inside and outside of the hospital rallied to Joseph's aid and he responded well to the support.

Several of the staff at Childrens Hospital remembered us from our previous visits to the surgical unit. I remember thinking that it was both a good and a bad thing. It is nice to have friends there but it is not a place we want to hear phrases like, "oh--back so soon" or "one more visit and you get a free toaster!"

Doctor Geller was happy with how the surgery went and it was great to see his smiling face after the surgery. There will be follow up visits and maybe even a surgery or two to keep Joseph's nasal passageways open and functioning at 100% but for now he is good to go. It is interesting to see his face without tubes. Here are the before and after pictures hot off the presses:

As you can see he looks better. For us, it takes a little getting used to.

So we end the day having one more surgery behind us. In all likelihood Joseph has more time to spend at Childrens Hospital---but for now he is resting comfortably and and we can all take a collective sigh of relief and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day!

Kenny