Nik’s actual surgery went very well. It was a brief endoscopy and “removal of foreign object” which sounds ominous and impressive. In reality, it was just a quick look-see at his upper GI tract to make sure there wasn’t anything icky or scary going on; there is not. The “foreign body” was actually the surgical removal of his old feeding tube. The one he broke yesterday while trying to pull the pump and stand along with him as he made a dash for the door. You know, those tiny little fixtures can only withstand so much stress before they pop apart!
Nik did great. He was out of recovery pretty quickly, too, and back in his room before dinner time. The only down side today was all the waiting; Nik was bored and hungry and one cranky little dude.
I felt guilty earlier today that I was looking forward to Nik being out cold for hours on end so I could get a break. I worried in vain; Nik woke up fully from the anesthesia after about ninety minutes and was wired for the rest of the night. I had to force him to lay down with me at eight o’clock. He didn’t fall asleep until after ten.
Fingers crossed that he sleeps through the night and tolerates the pedialyte feeds. We switch over to formula in the morning.
More to come later…
Thanks everyone for your supportive messages and good thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming! xo
Regular mortal anesthetic can’t keep Nik down!! Why does that surprise us? He’s a superhero!
LOL…I love Gretchen’s comment! Yes, thinking of you both today and hoping you both got some good restful sleep last night!
i’m sooooooooo glad to hear it all went well! hang in there! do you have a tv in his room? videos? music? poor guy is probably a strange combination of incredibly exhausted, wired, and bored out of his mind!
I understand the hospital boredom. It makes even the calmest kids (Reilly!) lose their cool. I truly hope you make it home soon. You need a break.
xo
Glad to see this update and hoping Nik continues on the path towards home! I gave up on twitter, but I’ve been trying to check your facebook and blog often to stay updated. Praying for you! When you do finally get home, let me know if I can help…bring a meal or run some errands or help with cleaning…whatever!
hey, easy on yourself. lady .. no guilt for neding to breathe, k?
praying like crazy!
oops .. needing
I’m glad Nik is on the mend. Hope you can get some rest.
K
Glad it went well, but I can imagine the disappointment about not getting a little reprieve.
I really hope you both get some rest!
Glad that’s over with.
Hope you’re in for a quiet weekend.
Joe
Oh gosh, poor little guy and you too as I know how exhausting just the worry can be let alone the real sleeplessness to boot. Home you’re in for calmer waters any time soon, plus the re-jig, recovery, get back to normal routine time. [why can we never skip that bit?]
Best wishes
Niksmom – USC just put out a study on GI issues and Autism being related to the same gene variant. The gut is at the crux of Dr. Wakefield’s work. Tim Buie at MGH (Mass General) is an expert in the field of treating gut issues in autism. It is becoming more accepting in mainstream medicine that our kids’ guts are decimated. The why, of course, remains a mystery. But as parents, we just want the damn treatment, yes? If I can help in any way, please email. Dr. Krigsman in NY is expert. Dr. Wakefield is in Austin. Forget the vaccine connection – that’s not my point. My point is helping Nik.
http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/03/we-need-to-learb-where-toxins-impact-gene-expressions-to-find-the-cause-of-autism.html
Best,
Kim