S Is For Surgery

Update:

They got Parker into surgery at about 9:00 a.m.  This was a huge blessing as our Brave Hero had been in a considerable amount of pain.  These bowel obstructions hurt.

Another blessing is that it was a pretty simple adhesion.  Just one band on his intestine was affected.  THAT is a giant blessing.

I’ve actually had to go out and research bowel obstructions and adhesions.  I was under the impression that a bowel obstruction would be like a section of bowel impacted with stool.

Nope.  Lots of different things fall under the heading of bowel obstruction.

Anyway, Parker is back in his room.  You can tell that he is already feeling much better than he was before he went into surgery.

And, of course, he’s doing his usual thing of Totally Ignoring Mom and ONLY Wanting Dad that he is famous for after a surgical stay up here at PCMC.

When I try to talk with him he closes his eyes and pretends not to see me.  Then he turns his head towards Reed and flashes him a smile.

We are up here for a few more days still. But I can’t complain.  Things really could (and were expected) have been so much worse.

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Parker is scheduled for surgery this morning ‘sometime’ between 8 and 10 a.m.

Which means that he’ll go in sometime late this afternoon.

sigh.

We received an education in a new way to use a ng tube last night.  You grab a  ng tube that is just slightly smaller than a firehose.  Shove it down a frantically fighting little kid’s nose.  Then you turn on one of the snot suckers located  on the wall by his crib to suck out anything left in an already empty stomach.

The nurse kept trying to put socks over Parker’s hands to keep him from pulling out the ng tube, which he did twice before I tersely suggested ‘No No boards.’

Uh.  Oh.  Yeah..  He is kinda old for the sock thing to work, isn’t he?

Ever since we have been up here people have been commenting on how small Parker is for being 4.  I can’t blame them.  He looks two.  Which is what every single person looking in on him since we’ve been here has thought.

Before his x-ray they had us confirm Parker’s name and date of birth because they thought they might have the wrong kid.  The order was for a 4 year old.

What can I say?  The kid is teeny.  Really, really teeny.

But he’s HUGE in courage, smiles, spunk and love.

I just want to give a shout out to my sweet Bailey Annie.  I know you’re reading this right along with all of your  brothers and sisters.

THANK YOU for being there for Dad and me to tend and help keep the house running while we are up here.  Your love for Parker just radiates.  We can’t thank you enough for the sacrifices you’ve made.  Your heart is so very good.

McCally,  I hope you had  wonderful time at Preference.  I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to send you off.  You looked glorious.  Your date was one lucky dude.  And I promise to take great care of Dweebo while we are up here.

Rigel,  be sweet and co-operative while we’re gone.  Remember, you’re the man of the house while Dad’s gone.  That means you lead by example and do what your big sisters tell you to do.  I love you.  So does Parker.  We are really proud of all that you do.

Kenny, Parker’s going to be okay.  It won’t be a fun day, but he will come home feeling sooo much better.  When he gets back you two can hang out and you can show him all the finer points of play kitchen cooking.  If you get nervous at night remember to go to your big sisters.  They’ll let you bunk with them.

Don’t forget a family prayer today you guys.

Love,

Mom