Surgery 3 - 1 week post op

Today is one week post op. I removed the pain pump last Friday (not as bad as I expected), and then the sponge on the outside of Jack's left ear on Sunday. Here is a picture of his ear after the top sponge was removed last Sunday:















It was good to remove just a few stitches so that I could be prepared for today. This evening we removed the rest of the stitches and the sponges. Jack did pretty well through it all and didn't cry. Of course, there was plenty of sugary bribery involved...

I am behind at home, behind at work and just generally behind in everything. It will be a miracle if anyone sees a Christmas card from us... So, a short post here and some pics of the sponge removal...























And, last but not least... Can you say ornery?????

Surgery 3 went well

This morning, we arrived at the surgery center at 7:15 am this morning. Jack was a trooper. He really only asked a few times for something to eat and really was very patient. I think at about 9, they took us back. Probably the hardest part was that Jack didn't want to wear the yellow jammies they had planned for him. It wasn't until the Versaid kicked in that he finally got over the yellow jammies. Soon after that, they took him back for surgery.

They called several times to update us in the waiting room, which was very nice. It sounded like they started about 10:45am and then Dr. Reinisch came out at about 2pm. He said that he replaced the skin grafts behind both ears, replaced the puckered skin on the front of the left ear, removed the hair, fixed the scar (from the cup after the first surgery) on his scalp on the right side, and adjusted his earlobes and the tragus on each ear. He placed a wick in the left ear and we debated what to use to keep the canal open. Dr. Reinisch is not crazy about having the hard plug in there - he is a little concerned with it rubbing and exposing the medpor. I will follow up with Dr. Roberson on this...

It took a while for Jack to wake up. His ears are very swollen. They pretty much look like they did after the bug bite this summer. He has sponges behind the ears to support them and one sponge on top of his left ear when the new skin is. Once he started to perk up, he began eating. And eating. And eating. He really ate like a teenager, pretty much until he went to bed. He was kind of upset to notice himself in the mirror and touched his ears and then frowned really sour. He was not pleased with his appearance. Other than being al ittle wobbly and not happy with the sponges behind his ears, he was actually in great spriits. He watched a few movies - while he ate - and then went to sleep at about 8pm.

We have an appointment to see Dr. reinisch at 9:30am and then will head back home. I will drop Trish off on the way and should be back home before bed time tomorrow night. When we get home tomorrow, I will post pictures.

Leaving for Surgery...

Tomorrow morning Jack and I will head to LA for Jack's final surgery of the year. Hopefully this will be his last surgery...

We have a pre-op appointment with Dr. Reinisch late tomorrow and then have to be at the surgery center at 7:15am on Wednesday to check in. I am anxious to get this behind us, a little worried about what we are in for regarding recovery, and concerned of course for Jack. It is always a little nerve wracking to have such a young child under anesthesia.

The good news is that this surgery will be shorter - about 4 hours - and should have a much easier recovery. Dr. Reinisch has told me that we will have to remove stitches ourselves and probably the pain pump that will be used for the skin graft site. This will save us from another trip to LA, but I am not sure I can do it! I may have to recruit a little help...

Chris has to stay here for the week for other obligations. My mom arrives on Thursday to help with the kids. I am forever grateful to my friend, Trish for going to LA with me. It will be nice to have some company during the long wait and also an extra pair of hands.

More tomorrow...