Successful Surgery Update

Yesterday was Clay's diaphragm hernia repair #3 surgery and what an unbelievably successful day it was! We are still in shock at how smoothly things went, and are so so thankful.

In pre-op, Clay got pretty emotional and had some big tears knowing surgery would be starting soon, but after the anesthesiologist explained all the steps for sedation and process for putting in the IVs and giving the medications, he felt better. Poor guy had been worried he'd wake up in the middle of surgery and be able to see and feel everything going on. He got wheeled off to the OR around 8am in good spirits, which definitely made it easier for me and Eric. 

The waiting game is never easy, but the operating team was awesome about sending updates every hour, so that was a huge relief. We got the same message every update: they're still working, and Clay was doing fine. When it came around to the 1:30pm update, we got paged over the intercom to go to the consultation room. Blehh, those calls always make my heart drop - I never know what to expect! 

We met Dr. Draus in the consultation room and he said things went wonderfully! There was a significant amount of bowel that was up in his chest, but it came down very easily - there wasn't much adhesion or scar tissue, which is what we were most afraid of running into - thank the Lord, that was an answered prayer! Once the bowel was down, he was able to move the spleen out of the way without damage and get a good look at the hole in his diaphragm muscle. It was a 5cm x 5cm hole that had a great rim of tissue around it, so that was wonderful news for his patch work. Draus said he could have pulled the existing tissue together to close the hole, but it would put a lot of tension on the tissue and he didn't feel comfortable with that, so after consulting with other surgeons they all agreed - the best route was to place the Gortex patch. He took pictures and showed us the hole before and after the patch and it was so crazy to see. The culprit of a lot of daggone trials and tribulations over the past 9 years. The patch looked great, and Dr. Draus said he was very, very happy with his work and he didn't think he could've done a better job - I could tell he was very relieved with the outcome. BLESS THAT MAN! 

After Draus left the room, Eric and I just cried big ol tears of relief. Seriously. The amount of worry and dread I have felt over this surgery is hard to admit. Worst-case scenarios have been floating through my mind and kept me up at night ever since we learned about his recurrence. I'm still in disbelief at how smoothly things have went. And at how incredibly BRAVE and STRONG our Clay is. All I know is - the love and prayers surrounding us have truly carried us through, yet again. 

Dr. Draus stopped in yesterday evening to show us some before/after comparisons of Clay's chest xrays - all I can say is WOW. I'm sure Clay feels like a whole new man. Dr. Draus was thrilled with how much that little left lung has opened up. Answered prayers, for sure. 

After / Before

We should be moving to a room on the floor (out of ICU) this afternoon! I hope he'll be able to get a little better rest up there - I've almost forgotten how impossible it is to sleep in the PICU. Eric and I got a sleep room last night, which was nice to have an actual bed to rest in - but I still woke up at 3:30am and could not get back to sleep for worrying that Clay was missing us. So I came back over and sat with him - but I don't think he missed us at all; the drugs are helping him not worry about much right now. (Maybe I could use some too, haha.) Clay has been resting well all day, so that's what we need - Keeping him as comfortable as possible. Once we're out into a regular room, we'll start with feedings and try to slowly wake up his guts. If things continue to go well, Dr. Draus said he's hopeful we'll be going home this weekend! 

Our Clay Clay has yet again shown us how TOUGH he is! I can't thank you all enough for cheering him on. It's been so different this time around, to have a fully aware, wise little boy, with lots of questions and concerns - but it's been so nice to sit down with him and show him everyone's messages, kind words, and words of encouragement. They've meant the world to him! (And me and Eric!) 

I'll try to keep y'all posted as we go through recovery. 

Peace and Love, dear friends! Spread it around!