Post Surgery Update

Brett. a week or so before surgery

Back to Riley for Surgery #2
Wednesday, May 3 was the scheduled date for Brett’s 2nd surgeries. Surgery was to begin at 9:00 a.m. Brett’s wonderful A. Joan, (Jan’s sister) accompanied us to Riley. The plan for the day was to graft a bone taken from Brett’s rib into the missing section of gum line in his upper jaw. The other surgery of the day was to find his undescended testes and bring it safely into the scrotum.

Brett was taken to surgery around 9:15. Thankfully he had fallen to sleep in A Joan’s arms, even though he had not eaten since 3 AM! This makes it so easy for the surgery crew. They simply slip a mask on him and he goes out peacefully. Again we rec’d hourly reports on how Brett was doing and by 1:30, Dr Meldrum, the GU Doctor was finished. Not long after the report, the Dr. came and explained how the surgery had gone. She told us we would be able to go home if the plastic surgeon was agreeable. By 2 o’clock we were told it was time to go see our little patient.

Post Operation
We were excited to get in the Recovery Room to see our little trooper. We found him in the same bed as he was after his lip surgery. The nurse on staff greeted us warmly and updated us on how he was doing. She had some concern over his oxygen saturation levels and she continued to give him small shots of morphine to keep him comfortable. He moaned and cried off and on as we stood over his bed. To comfort him we patted him and held his little hands. We could have held him, but they wanted him to remain in his small oxygen tent. While we were in recovery we rec’d several calls from Jan who is in Haiti. It was wonderful to hear his voice and to feel his love and support. As time went on we soon began to realize that we were going to have to stay overnight. Because of the trauma of have 2 surgeries, Brett was having a little trouble breathing without extra oxygen. Although a little disappointed, Joan and I felt it was best to stay. After 3 hours in recovery Brett was ready to head to his room, which this time was on the Cancer floor in the Stem Cell Unit. The normal post-op rooms were full.

A Long Night
Brett was a little fussy for the next few hours, but by bedtime he seemed to be feeling better and we were glad to hit the sack. Since the room was good size, we were able to bring a cot into the room for Joan. The nurses told us they would be in every hour to check Brett. We knew it would be a long night. Overall, Brett slept well. He needed to be patted and sung to a few times, but it seemed he was comfortable. By 8:30 the doctors made rounds and gave us the go ahead to check out. We were thankful!

Daily Improvements
Brett slept most of Thursday and Friday. Tonight as I type this he is the most alert he has been since surgery. It is good to see him looking around and moving around more. He has not had pain meds since Thursday night at 9pm.

Brett is now about 11 lbs and 24 in. long. We have seen improvement in his head control over the past couple weeks. When he is in the right mood, he kicks and flails his arms all around. Often his hands come to midline, which is one of "many developments" that therapists look for in children. We still don’t get him to give us much eye contact, but occasionally he seems to connect with us. He definitely is responding to our voices more and more. He continues to be tube fed, although we work daily on bottle feeds.

What’s Ahead?
This was surgery #2 for Brett. We know for sure he will have palate surgery sometime in August or September, and we may need to have the G-tube surgery as well. We continue to trust our Lord Jesus with the future, knowing that He holds it all in His hands. He alone orders our lives and we must faithfully follow.

We leave for our Missionary Training in Colorado around May 13. We will be gone for about 5 weeks returning June 17-18. Please pray that we have a safe journey and that we can re-adjust our lives to daily classes, a small living space, and new surroundings.

Again, we are so thankful for the prayers and concern for our sweet Brett. God has a purpose and a place for him in this world. We joyfully anticipate what He has in store for us! There are many people going through many trials and tests. We truly need the prayers of those that we love.

Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalms 28:6-7)