Surgery Day!

The timing for Hazel's placement was a little tough because we were right up against Spring Break for JJ's school. So once Kati's week here in Colorado Springs was complete, JJ had one day of school before a week off.

Spring Break has been filled with different medical appointments for JJ. On Monday we drove up to Denver to see his Developmental Pediatrician, and Tuesday both of the boys had surgery scheduled. The boys had umbilical hernias that needed to be repaired, and so we decided that doing it while JJ was already on break (and at the same time) made the most sense. If you have one child that feels like poop and the other one is fine, that can be more hectic than both kiddos feeling crummy.

So, surgery day dawned bright and early for us. The boys were allowed nothing by mouth after 7am so they were pretty fussy about not eating breakfast. We all got ready (boys stayed in their pajamas) and headed off to the hospital. We got checked in and started doing vitals. Josh was to stay with Elliott for the morning and JJ and Hazel were with me. JJ did not handle the vitals process very well, he really wanted to stay with the toys in the waiting room. But thankfully we have a little notepad in Hazel's pack with a pen that allows us to create a list for him (he LOVES lists) and that got him through the process and into his room without too much of a fight. I am so grateful for that tether, it definitely kept him from running away or scattering medical instruments when he had to stay by Hazel's side.

While we were going over paperwork and anesthesia protocols, we found out that surgery would be delayed at least 2 hours. I'll admit my immediate reaction was anger, what on earth were we going to do with the boys for at least 2 hours when they haven't eaten, can't eat and are already overstimulated from everything going on around them.

There are three major things I was thankful for during this day. My friend Trish, who had always planned on visiting us and before we even learned about the delay, had arrived with a big gift bag with books and a turtle that shines stars on the ceiling. The boys were thrilled to see her and thrilled with the gifts!

I was so thankful for my husband. I do not know how we would have made it through this day without him. I certainly could not have been on my own with the kids on this day.

Lastly, I was so grateful for Hazel. Her calm, peaceful presence while laying on the floor of the hospital room with the boys helped keep all of us calm during those hours.

Surgery ended up starting almost 3 hours late but it did finally happen. Elliott was in first, followed by JJ (the boys had the same surgeon). The nurses were wonderful about Hazel and one of them stayed in the hallway with her (she wasn't allowed in the OR due to sterility) while I went with JJ for his anesthesia. Hazel stayed with Elliott and Josh while JJ was in recovery (again she was not allowed in due to potential emergencies) but as soon as JJ was wheeled back into his room she was right there.

Once the nurse wheeled his bed back into his room, Josh brought her through the bathroom (adjoining rooms for the boys) into JJs room. She went straight to him and started sniffing his face. He was still pretty groggy from the anesthesia and wasn't sure what she was doing so he kept trying to brush her away. She then took up position close to the bed and stayed there.

Taken an hour after waking up, she was there the entire time.

JJ and Elliott both handled surgery well. They didn't fuss too badly about the IVs or about their stomachs hurting. Two days out and they are in great shape. The rest of that afternoon was very low key at home. The boys rested, ate toast and watched TV.

We won't be able to tether JJ to Hazel for a few days now because of where his incision is, but Hazel will still accompany us everywhere we go and JJ still wants "his handle". Today the boys will head to OT (not allowed in the sensory gym though, too much potential for injury) and that will actually be their first outing since surgery. I'm so glad that Hazel was with us for the surgery for JJ, it was a huge day full of strange transitions and new things and he navigated it beautifully because of Hazel and the amazing nursing staff at our hospital.

the boys on the way home from the hospital. Not looking too spry back there.