Brain Surgery Wednesday - Tips, Prayers, and Love Needed - Page 2

[snangel]

: I will hold your babe, and your family in my prayers.

[OMama]

Thanks MotherWhimsey. I was thinking about this foreskin thing even before RedOakMomma mentioned it in her earlier post. I just wasn't sure how to handle it. I don't want to do anything to alienate the nurses or question their competence, but I certainly don't want my son's foreskin retracted either! It's hard too because we've never even been to this hospital and it's not a pediatric hospital. Although we've been told repeatedly that the PICU is really great. I did speak to a head nurse on the phone there one day and she was so wonderful. VERY encouraging on the breastfeeding/pumping thing and told me how they have pumps, fridges for milk, etc. and how they'll want to get my son into my arms as soon as possible because that is stronger than any other medicine and so on. I hope it really is as great as she made it out to be! Thanks for all the info on the oxygen sensors. Oh, I have a lot to learn don't I!? I, too, am hoping for a very brief and 'boring' stay.

[SleeplessinAZ]

Omama, everyone has given you great advice. I offer prayers and hugs that everything will work out for the best with the cold situation for your son and daughter, and that his surgery will be successful. I know how freaked out I would be if one of my kids got a cold/sick right before surgery. Can you give your kids probiotics and immune boosting vitamins/herbs, like Airborne?
My son has stayed at St. Joe's PICU in Phx twice for heart surgery. It's been over 2 years since his last surgery so things may have changed, but I'll share my experience: They provided me a hospital grade pump on wheels in his room and a pumping kit, as well as bottles, caps, etc. I was able to sleep in his room every night on the padded bench, which is better than some hospitals, but still not very comfortable. They provided sheets/pillows/blankets, but I also brought my own pillow/blanket from home. I got 3 meals/day as a nursing mama, which I totally appreciated because I never wanted to leave the room. The really nice thing about the PICU rooms is that they each have a private bathroom with a shower...this is a total luxury! Will your ds get discharged straight out of the PICU or will he be transferred to the general peds floor? The general peds floor is totally different than the PICU, so be prepared. Not as nice, and nurses are not able to be as attentive because they have so many patients. They do have a pumping room though, and a room with computers for internet access on the general peds floor. Like I said, this may have all changed because it's been awhile, but hopefully this info will help you.
Good luck! Hugs!

[ikesmom]

I have been thinking about you as the date is getting close. Prayers for baby and family. Wisdom for doctors. Strength for you.

[usolyfan]

My heart goes out to you Mama. I will be thinking and praying for you and your family throughout this week.

Something I had a difficult time with when dd had her shunt and back surgery was that the surgeon gave us a time frame that she would be working within. The surgery went long and I began to panic. Expect that it might take longer than they state initially. When the surgeon came in to give us a report she saw how nervous I was and apologized over and over again. I had gotten hung up on when the surgery "should" have been over and it made it all the more difficult to endure. Try not to repeat my worry if the surgery goes a bit longer than originally planned.

[BCmamaof6]

You have gotten some really great advice.
I don't have much to offer that hasn't been said already...but when Anna Sophia had surgery in May she had a mild cold (cough, runny rose). Obviously her surgery was different from Finn's...so it probably does depend...
You could give him echinacea drops to boost his immunity.

I would bring a book (something light, but engaging) & a magazine. I was able to read a bit of a (fuuny) book that I brought...but I had to keep re-reading parts because of the stress...a magazine that I could mindlessly flip thru may have been a better choice. And definately some cold coffe beverages...I took a few Starbucks ones...that was awesome...I couldn't have left the waiting room...I was there alone...it may be easier if there is someone else in the waiting room with you...but I couldn't have left.

We also brought a comfy sling...I don't know how long you will be there before surgery (we were there for several hours on complete fasting before surgery) or when Finn will be able to be held after...but a sling was SO helpful for us.

I will be praying for your sweet Finn & believing for a quick recovery.

[MillingNome]

Praying you get your wish for a "very brief and 'boring' stay".

[RedOakMomma]

Thinking of you! Hope all goes well tomorrow!!

[OMama]

Tomorrow's the Big Day

We all made it safe and sound to Arizona on Sunday and had a good meeting with the neurosurgeons yesterday afternoon. Finn’s surgery has been scheduled for 8:30AM on Wednesday morning. First, he will be put under general anesthesia with a small IV in his arm. DH and I plan to smile a lot and sing his favorite songs to him as he nods off to dreamland. Then they will insert a larger IV near his neck once he is asleep. Next, they will do another MRI and run some other tests. The surgery will immediately follow. It will take a minimum of 4 to 6 hours, and can run as long as 10 hours. He will most likely still be intubated (meaning he’ll have a breathing tube in this mouth) after the surgery and for at least the next 24 hours. He will then have a second MRI done on Thursday to be certain the entire cavernous malformation has been removed. Finn will remain sedated during the duration of this time, so we won’t be able to hold or nurse him. This will be a challenging time to be sure, but we know this surgery is a necessary step in helping Finn to live a long and healthy life. Overall, we remain very excited and optimistic! Finn is in great spirits and so are we. We are looking forward to an incredibly successful surgery and the healing that will follow. Your prayers and positive energy remain an important part of this journey. Please keep them coming!

Oh, and DD's cold seems to have gone away! And so far so good with Finn. No cold signs. We did mention it to the docs yesterday that he has been exposed to a cold recently. They said we'd keep an eye on that. The anesthesiologist and other docs will fully check him out tomorrow before he goes under of course. While the neurosurgeon isn't a pediatric specialist, all the other docs involved are. So that is good. We can't wait to get this thing over with!

[kchoffmann]

You sound like you are optimistic and in good spirits. That's great. Please know we are all thinking of you and praying for a healthy and easy outcome for Finn.

[MyTwoAs]

He will be in my thoughts, I hope the procedure goes smoothly tomorrow!

[Finch]

I've been thinking about you a lot, I'll keep you and your dh and Finn in my prayers!! I think he'll be just fine, even having been exposed to a cold. Good idea about taping the "do not retract" thing on the diaper...I never would have thought of something like that.

[RedOakMomma]

Wishing you and Finn the best.

I don't know if you're checking this in the hospital, but have a nurse tell you what it's like for babies when they take out the breathing tube. It's nothing awful, but expect swollen vocal chords, some irritability (for a day or two), and lots and lots of coughing/plhlegm gagging. It passes.

Thinking of you SO HARD today....and sending you strength cross-country!

[hippymomma69]

Sending you well wishes and speedy operation and recovery!
peace,
robyn

[granolamomma]

Thinking and praying about all of you today, Omama. I wish for the best.

Jen

[sbgrace]

You've been on my mind and heart today. I'm praying for you all--especially Finn and those surgeons right now.

[mamamelia]

just wanted to say that finn is in my heart and prayers tonight. i will pray with all that i have, for his success and recovery.
please keep us updated mama.. many, many hugs to you and little finn...

[OMama]

Thanks mamas!

We are here at the hospital now. Finn went under about an hour and 45 minutes ago. We had a GREAT day yesterday and this morning went really well. I seem to have gotten this superhuman strength from somewhere. I am so focused and so positive. It is the only way I can get through this. I know I can't sustain it forever but hopefully for at least the next 8 hours or however long the surgery takes. I slept very little of course. Nursed him last at 12:30. I have pumped twice so far. DH had to hold him most the whole morning while we were in the prep area since he kept saying "ma . . . ma. . ." when I went near him. But I am keeping it together. We met all the docs and nurses and everyone was great. I tried to convey back that really positive, optimistic energy. If I start feeling weepy or fearful at all I just start praying and repeating my mantra "THE SURGERY WENT PERFECTLY." I know this with every fiber of my being and every breath I take. The docs are performing their magic and Finn is surrounded by so much love and light and God's great energy. Thank you all again. I will update again as soon as I can.

[bumblebeej]

I started praying the second I saw this! God's blessings to you and yours.

[3_opihi]

Thinking about you.