Last week our whole family traveled to California for Spencer's hand surgery. We arrived Saturday and laid low for a few days, we had been advised to keep him away from public places and other kids (aka-germs) so he wouldn't catch anything that would prevent his doctor from being able to operate. 5:30 am Tuesday morning Nick, Spencer and I drove to the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco where he was admitted and taken into the operating room immediately. Nick was able to go in with him until they put him under with the gas mask. In my pregnant state of being I am much more emotional and queasy and I didn't want to freak Spencer out so I opted to wait. Nick says he went under without a fight or any crying. Then Nick and I waited 3 and a half hours while the doctor separated his hand bones, took a bone graft from his hip and inserted it and a metal device into his hand, used pins, stitches and a cast to hold it all together. We were then called to meet him in the recovery room where he would be waking up.
Playing before surgery & Getting some love from Mom in the recovery room
Just out of surgery he was not a happy guy (can you blame him) and was disoriented and in a great deal of pain. They gave him some heavy pain medication while I held him and he fell asleep again. Nick and I were a little shocked at the size of the cast. It completely encloses all of his fingers and goes all the way up to his armpit, much more than we expected. As superficial as it sounds I just kept thinking "how will I ever get his shirts over that thing?" An hour later he was transferred upstairs to the pediatric ward where the 3 of us would be spending the night. There he mostly rested and watched a whole lot of TV with the beloved blanket and all the free juice, popscicles, and crackers you can handle! He was really unhappy about the IV tube still being in his right hand and eventually the nurses had to wrap it up as well so that he would leave it alone, which left him with 3 good fingers to use. Amazingly enough later that afternoon he wanted to venture down to the playroom to check out the toys. Nick had to mostly carry him because of the pain in his hip. We just kept looking at each other shocked at his energy level and ability to so quickly adapt. Later Grandma and Grandpa Doll and Carson stopped by the hospital to say Hi and bring Spencer and new stuffed animal. I had been strong until they came; I guess every Mom still needs their Mom sometimes.
In the playroom 4 hours after surgery & Watching TV with the entourage of stuffed animals
That night was not a happy one; he crashed pretty hard and was inconsolable due to the pain and lack to sleep during the day. Luckily there were pediatric doctors on call who came in and gave him some morphine which took 20 minutes to take affect but finally did the job and he was able to sleep. It was very emotional for Nick and I to watch him feel so unhappy and in so much pain with very little we could do to help him. It especially weighed heavy on us that he is so young and we essentially made the decision for him. Although we don't doubt for a minute that it was right one we definitely feel responsible and wished there was more we could do.
The next morning he was released from the hospital and we drove back to my parent’s house where Carson and Grandma were busy in preparations for a "Welcome Home" party for Spencer. Just being with Carson again really did Spencer some good. Within an hour he was on the floor playing and hobbling around after Carson. Later that afternoon Tim and Brittany and kids came over for a BBQ and Spencer was out climbing on the swing set and trying to ride scooters, all about 36 hours after surgery!
Welcome home party & Wii bowling- only takes one hand!
Nick and Carson left Thursday afternoon while Spencer and I stayed until Sunday. Each day the pain seemed to diminish and the frustration level began to grow. He's having a hard time understand why the cast is still on, how long six weeks is and that nearly every task requires two hands. He is such a sweet little guy and for the most part taking the whole experience in stride. I must admit that the beloved blanket has been a lifesaver and gives him an amazing amount of comfort.
Finally last night Spencer and I came home and found love notes from all his Nursery friends on the front door. Today he returned to preschool, less than a week after his surgery (amazing huh?) and seems to be adjusting to life with one arm like a trooper. Nick and I marvel at his strong spirit and the love we have felt that Heavenly Father has for him. The whole process of finding a doctor and having excellent health insurance from Microsoft (his doctor, the hospital and anesthesiologist are all 100% covered) and the location of the surgery have been a huge blessing. We appreciate all the prayers,calls and well wishes from all of you!