July 30, 2009

Surgery by the Real Doctors

Yesterday was the scheduled day for Nathan to go to the Shriner's Hospital for a surgical procedure to correct his curly toes. We took Josiah and Noah to Grandma's house to visit for the day while Nathan, John, and I headed to the hospital. I had been nervous about having this procedure since Nathan would be put out for the duration and I wondered if it was too risky but the concerns soon dissipated. Nathan was very excited to go see the doctors. He called them the "real" doctors. I'm not sure what that means to him. Anyway, checking in was easy and Nathan was very impressed with the bed waiting for him. He climbed in right away and made himself at home.

He loved trying all the buttons on the bed and getting his very own bright yellow hospital socks.

The Diego sheets were impressive too. He amused the nurses by claiming the bed pad was his blanket.

We were able to bring some toys to the room while we were waiting.

He had a lot of fun with the double-decker car carrier.

It's almost time and Nathan is still excited.

Grandpa came to wait with John and I too. Thanks, Dad.

Now we're in the ready room where we get to talk to the anesthesiologist and the surgeon.

There are more toys here!

I told Nathan that it was almost time for the doctor to fix his toes and that they would put a mask over his face and he would go to sleep and when he wakes up his toes will be done. By this time he was even starting to warm up to the nurses instead of being so shy with them.

When they took Nathan into the operating room, my dad, John and I went to the cafeteria for lunch. At registration the nurse had given us a $15 food coupon for lunch and I had a delicious bowl of bourbon steak chili and a refreshing bowl of fruit. The men chose the grilled chicken sandwich platter. It wasn't long after we finished our lunch that the phone rang in the surgical waiting room and we learned that Nathan was in recovery and waking up. I think it was only 45 minutes after we saw him enter the O.R.

Here he is! He is barely awake but not wanting to go back to sleep.
The first thing the nurse offered was a popsicle which he ate in record time. He really likes his blue and green bandages!

Then he showed me his blue tongue before he ate an orange popsicle then a green popsicle followed by chocolate pudding and chocolate graham crackers. I think his appetite was coming back.

After all the snacks we went to the play room and played there for a little while. He even started walking a little on the heels of his feet. Nathan was able to choose a new toy to take home too! He chose a bubble mower. I'm pretty sure it will be his favorite toy for quite a while.

Then Nathan ate an early dinner of chicken nuggets and fries just before we left.

It was a very pleasant day made possible by the caring, helpful, and friendly staff, the cheerful decor, and the generosity of the Shriner's Hospital.

Nathan is feeling great today. He's running and skipping and climbing! If he didn't have bandages on his feet it would be very hard to tell he had surgery yesterday.


5 comments:

Daddy!!! said...

My boy is such a trooper!!!!

Unknown said...

Davy and I enjoyed the pictures - we are praying for Nathan's boo-boos:)

Jessica said...

How great that he had such a good time! Tough little boy!

Kristen said...

Modern medicine is amazing. I can't believe you were with him 45 minutes later! Thanks for this post, I can only imagine the stress that you were feeling and we'll pray for a quick, smooth recovery!

Elizabeth(cousin) said...

I remember oh so well when (my) Ethan had to have groin hernia surgery at the ripe old age of 1 1/2yrs! I understand all to well leaning and relying on God to guide the doctor's hand;I was still a very human mother hen! Praise the Lord all went well for him and ya'll!
By the way, what's with alll the awesome goodies?! Boy... when I got my toe operated on the summer before my senior year all I got after surgery was chipped ice and apple juice before going home!!