Thursday, March 5, 2009

A really long Day



So as we were driving to the hospital at 5:20 AM, we said to each other "Oh remember 3 weeks ago we were making this exact trip, at the same time." And both times we had that nervous/anxious feeling in the pit of our stomachs that just would;t go away.

Anyway we made our way to the hospital and really had no trouble getting around this time, we kinda know that place thru-and-thru at this point. We made it to the second floor and they did all the necessary measuring, poking/prodding of Greyson. He didn't really care for that, given he hadn't had a lick of food for 6 hours at that point. But he's a trooper and we were both surprised at how well he did provided his rumbling tummy. So off we went to the holding room where we discovered another trait about neurosurgeons...they are NEVER on time! It floored us that Greyson was scheduled at 7:30, the first surgery of the entire day, yet DR was thirty minutes late!! But what can you do, this is the guy's hands we were putting or babies life in...so we took deep breathes and held our baby boy tight.

So we finally handed him off to the anesthesiologist and watch him walk down the hall. A truly helpless feeling... A realization that as a parent you can't do anymore, you have to trust that God will guide this team of Doctors and nurses to "fix" your baby.

Waiting in a waiting room sucks in any situation, it's even suckier when you're constantly watching the clock and wondering when this thing is gonna be over, and when your continually praying to yourself that the doctor will walk in the room and proceed with these words: "It was flawless, your son did great, and everything will be better than you could have imagined!"

So it wasn't word for word what i was hoping he'd say, but the fact of the matter is Greyson did do great and his vital signs looked great, and there was no internal bleeding, and he was recovering calmly in the recovery room. And a giant exhale was had by all the family sitting with us.

After and hour or so, Leigh and I got to see our little guy... that was great and really hard at the same time. He was all hooked up, tubes all over, yellow iodine and dried blood all over his head. But it was are perfect little boy, sitting calmly with his eyes open looking at us. So, clearly as normal parents, we lost it. The nurses were very aware of Leigh's state and almost immediately ask if she wanted to hold him. Before they could finish asking, Leigh blurted "YES" So as Leigh was holding Grey I got a first look at his head and was somewhat surprised at how large the actual shunt device protrudes from his little head. But, at three weeks old, the little guys got some "growing in" to do of his shunt, and by the time he's rock'n his 1st birthday, his red mullet hairdo might just cover it up! hehe :)

The afternoon was pretty uneventful, although we could tell grey was in pain at times. We heard "crys" that just didn't sound right, its funny how the short time we had him home we were able to pick up so many of his habits and mannerisms. It was hard to see him struggling somewhat, but as each hour past, he became more comfortable.

So as we wrap up this day, we ask for prays that the shunt device is working properly and will continue to do what it needs to do to help Greyson develop like a good boy he's meant to be!

Your love and prayers rocked us good today, we felt them big time!!!

love,

Andy, Leigh, Grey

7 comments:

MommaKathi said...

I am so glad that things went well! We will continue to pray that it keeps going well. Hopefully he will be home soon!
Kathi in Holland

Unknown said...

We're so glad to hear the surgery went well! Sounds like Grey's quite the trooper. We'll look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

Anonymous said...

Okay, so I'm sitting here bawling like a baby. How you described "handing off" Greyson was EXACTLY like it was for us with Tommy. What a truely helpless feeling. And all the waiting and praying and hoping. I hadn't thought about it in a while. And the little bed he's in in the picture, Tommy looked just like that! So teeny-tiny in a bed that was already small. Anyway, I want you guys to know we are praying for you all, and it is with aching hearts that we know what you are going through right now. I'm so glad everything went well and we hope to see you soon :)

amberWIRE said...

What a great update Andy! All of us at Vox were thinking of you guys yesterday and we're all so glad that Grey is recovering well.

You and Leigh are doing awesome at this "parenting" thing so far. Your unconditional love for Grey is so evident.

Adrienne, Hanna, Hayden & Garrett said...

I just read the update on Greyson. Glad that the hardest part is now over. Our baby just got back from NICU last night. I know how hard it is to see these little boys go through so much.

Rural Felicity said...

sweet baby. I'm so glad things went well, and reading your words, so remember being there. ((HUGS)) I'm thinking today will be a much better day. :)

Waiting, waiting, waiting, there is soooooo much of it with being in the hospital. Waiting rooms go on a whole different level with surgeries.

Jessica said...

I'm so glad everything went well. It is the hardest thing to hand them off like that! You guys are doing a great job!

Don't worry about the size of the shunt. The swelling will go down and it won't be nearly as bad as it looks now. I remember when Gage came back from surgery- 1st, on his back, which was a different position for him, but then his little head was so swollen that his ear was sticking out on that side. Now at 18 months, you can't even tell he has a shunt.