Eddie's Big Day

Yesterday at 4:30 a.m. Justin and I woke up, showered, got a very sleepy Eddie up, and, after a special Priesthood Blessing by Daddy, headed to the surgery center in Charlotte. Though the surgery wasn't to begin until 7 a.m. we had to be there by 5:30 a.m. to go over everything with the pre/post-op nurses, the doctor, and the anesthesiologist. They were all very nice and Eddie was happy to be up and playing with all of the fun toys until it was time to put him in the hospital gown. He absolutely did NOT like it! :) (Maybe because he's all boy and it feels too much like a dress?) He was slightly appeased when the nurse brought him his very own teddy bear which he proceeded to kiss and share his binky with (albeit forcefully at times :).

Around 6:30 he was given a small dose of medication (similar to Valium) to make him relaxed. He became very sleepy and was completely compliant when the OR nurse came to take him back with his binky and blanket. (Though he did give both Justin and me kisses first. :)

Not even an hour later the procedures were done and the doctor let us know that everything went great! We were brought into a recovery room to see him about twenty minutes later and this was by far the hardest part of the whole process. For the surgery he was not only given the original 'Valium' and then the 'gas' and I.V. anesthetics, but he also had the equivalent of an epidural so he was unable to move from the waist down for a few hours. All of this combined made it impossible for him to wake up from the anesthesia so he just cried in his sleep while I held him for about 45 minutes. A nurse finally came in and gave him a shot of a narcotic just to put him completely out so his little body could rest and have more time to shake off the anesthesia. Apparently some kids just react to the drugs more than others. After another forty minutes or so he was finally able to open his eyes and was much more calm. When he could show the nurse that he was drinking from his sippy she took out the I.V. and we were given the all clear to take our little warrior home! We knew he was fine when she handed him some Sesame Street stickers and he said his first post-op word, "Elmo?"

He should be back to normal in a week or so and the pain medications are doing their job at keeping him comfortable. His incisions also seem to be doing well and we're so glad everything has been taken care of! While we hate seeing him this way, Justin and I have both been loving how cuddly Eddie has been! He wants nothing but to be held and we are definitely more than willing! :)

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Home at last! Look at those sad (and drugged!) little eyes! :(

"Your going to take the binky AND like it!" This is how he entertained himself in the pre-op waiting room. :)

"Here, have some of my binky... It always makes me feel better!"

Eddie (post-valium) and Daddy waiting for the nurse to come take him to surgery.

So sweet all cuddled in his blanket.

(Sorry - no pictures from post-op room! He just needed his Mommy to hold him and I completely forgot about taking pictures at that point.)