Rowan is sleeping soundly here in the Intensive Care Unit, so we thought it would be a good time for a blog update on our day. We got here to Gillette Children's first thing this morning and were checked in for surgery. Both of us were extremely nervous, of course, but Rowan didn't quite understand what was happening so he didn't mind much. Only one parent could go back with him to the O.R. while he went under, so I put on the head covering and robe etc and went back. He was pretty wide eyed by the ligths and all the people in hair covers and masks.
During the surgery we had a pager. They paged us twice during the surgery to let us know how everything was going, which was very well. At the end the neurosurgeon came out and talked to us, telling us that everthing went just as planned and very smoothly. There were no problems.
What they did to relieve some of the pressure on the back of Rowan's brain was remove a 3 cm- 3cm piece (trapezoid shaped, according to the dr) of Rowan's skull. In its place, they put a patch made out of bovine collegen molecules. This will grow and form just as human collegen would.
Recovery was diffiucult, as Rowan was cleary disoriented and in pain, and not understanding what was happening. He kept wanting me to kiss his neck where his owie was, which was so cute. He couldn't get himself comfortable and kept moving around. They gave him morphine and something else for the pain, and we were then moved to our room here in the ICU. Rowan slept for awhile, then was awake and crabby and uncomfortable for awhile. He finally had some tummy sounds and was able to take a few sips of water. He cheered up a bit with some more medicine and by watching Dora. He fell asleep before he could have a popscicle though, so I guess he'll get that and some dinner when he wakes.
It has been a really long day, but is quiet here now so we can try to clear our heads a little. The Ronald McDonald family room down the hall is great. It has snacks, drinks and coffee available. Also tonight volunteers are serving taco buffet for dinner so we won't have to go to the cafeteria.
The little boy in the room next to Rowan's is the boy who was on the news recently for being hit by the motorcycle in St. Paul. So if you are praying for Rowan, could you throw in a short prayer for that little guy too.
Check back for more updates as our week goes on.
2 comments:
So glad to hear things are well with him. I felt anxious for you, cannot fathom as parents the kind of worry this brings. Praying for you family and that little guy next door too!
Very happy the surgery went well! We are keeping Rowan in our prayers for an easy recovery! Also, praying for the little boy down the hall. Don't you just love the ronald mcdonald organization? They helped so much when Joe had his craniosynostosis sugery at 6 mo. Let me know if we can help in any way.
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