Update on Alex
The surgery was a success. Alex is doing very, very well. I am actually a little surprised at how well he is doing but then I remember how big my God is and that he can do anything.
We got to the surgery center at 9:30 and got all checked in. Alex had no problem getting into the hospital gown. Previously that has been an area of anxiety for him. The nurse talked to him about what was going to happen and then she started to bring out the stuff for the iv. He did not freak out but outright refused to allow her to put it in. I sent out a quick Facebook post asking for prayer. They came in a little later with some medicine to calm him down. We were told that if he did not take the medicine and get the iv in that they would cancel his surgery. My stress level went from a 5 to about an 11. We talked about it and he finally took the medicine. We waited for the medicine to take effect and Alex and I had a conversation about consequences and blessings. Let us just say that when the nurse came back in, between the medicine and our conversation, Alex agreed to get the iv in and he did so without flinching and no fuss. Praise the Lord. We definitely felt your prayers.
It was not long after that they took him back to surgery. Any mother who has watched her child be wheeled to an OR will understand how nerve racking it can be. I went out in the waiting room and got out my Bible and began to read.
Once my nerves had calmed I settled in for the 3 hour wait. They came out about halfway through to tell me he was doing okay. I was able to catch up on some Bible study and some study. It was an awesome time with the Lord. The doctor came out when he was done to give me an update. The surgery went well. He had to make in incision in the lower leg to do some work on the tendon running to the foot. They then cut into his heel bone and did a bone graft to move the foot into proper alignment. Unfortunately, the third procedure that they did not think they had to do had to be done. They did another bone graft on the inside side of the foot near the big toe. Just typing it makes me get chills.
Carl came to bring me lunch not soon after that and I was able to visit with Esther, Caleb, and Tirzah. It was a good thing too. Right in the middle of my lunch they called me back to see Alex. He was groggy and was having a hard time waking up. We were finally able to get him up and moving. Crutches was an interesting time with him on very strong narcotics. They then asked me to help him get dressed. That is when I went and got Carl. Alex was not too keen on having his mom help get him dressed. They finally released us to go home. Alex slept the entire way home. We were able to get him inside with his ice packs and leg propped up before he started perking up. They numbed his leg during the surgery and the doctor informed us that his leg would not "wake up" until the day after surgery. I kept up with medicine all night long. Well, Carl did as he was the one to stay downstairs with him. Alex is sleeping on the trundle bed for now and Carl is in the recliner.
Alex was pretty comfortable until about midday Friday when the numbing medicine started to wear off. He actually asked for medicine for the first time. Now it is just a matter of keeping the leg elevated and switching the ice packs constantly. He is having fun playing video games and drawing with his new art supplies. I think it is more work for Carl and I as we are the ones keeping track of medicines and switching ice packs and making sure that little ones do not jump on their brother. We were told that this surgery is extremely painful and to expect Alex to be sleeping and in lots of pain for the week after. The incredible thing is that he has not expressed much pain to us. He is comfortable and in wonderful spirits. He has not complained at all except for itching at the surgery sites which he cannot get to. It is such a blessing to have him happy and comfortable. I am keeping on top of his medicine but even that has not been bad. We were prescribed all this medicine and we have been able to handle most of his pain with just two of the five medicines. He had to take a little more after the numbing medicine wore off but now he is just taking ibuprofen and one other stronger medicine and that one not all the time.
I am so grateful for the body of Christ that came and wrapped us in prayer. There have been so many times during this process where I have felt the prayers of the church. We had people all over the country praying for Alex and still praying. There are no words to express how grateful we are for all the care and concern and prayers that were lifted up on Alex's behalf this week. Thank you all so much. When the body of Christ comes together and works like it should, it is an incredible thing to see.
We got to the surgery center at 9:30 and got all checked in. Alex had no problem getting into the hospital gown. Previously that has been an area of anxiety for him. The nurse talked to him about what was going to happen and then she started to bring out the stuff for the iv. He did not freak out but outright refused to allow her to put it in. I sent out a quick Facebook post asking for prayer. They came in a little later with some medicine to calm him down. We were told that if he did not take the medicine and get the iv in that they would cancel his surgery. My stress level went from a 5 to about an 11. We talked about it and he finally took the medicine. We waited for the medicine to take effect and Alex and I had a conversation about consequences and blessings. Let us just say that when the nurse came back in, between the medicine and our conversation, Alex agreed to get the iv in and he did so without flinching and no fuss. Praise the Lord. We definitely felt your prayers.
It was not long after that they took him back to surgery. Any mother who has watched her child be wheeled to an OR will understand how nerve racking it can be. I went out in the waiting room and got out my Bible and began to read.
Once my nerves had calmed I settled in for the 3 hour wait. They came out about halfway through to tell me he was doing okay. I was able to catch up on some Bible study and some study. It was an awesome time with the Lord. The doctor came out when he was done to give me an update. The surgery went well. He had to make in incision in the lower leg to do some work on the tendon running to the foot. They then cut into his heel bone and did a bone graft to move the foot into proper alignment. Unfortunately, the third procedure that they did not think they had to do had to be done. They did another bone graft on the inside side of the foot near the big toe. Just typing it makes me get chills.
Carl came to bring me lunch not soon after that and I was able to visit with Esther, Caleb, and Tirzah. It was a good thing too. Right in the middle of my lunch they called me back to see Alex. He was groggy and was having a hard time waking up. We were finally able to get him up and moving. Crutches was an interesting time with him on very strong narcotics. They then asked me to help him get dressed. That is when I went and got Carl. Alex was not too keen on having his mom help get him dressed. They finally released us to go home. Alex slept the entire way home. We were able to get him inside with his ice packs and leg propped up before he started perking up. They numbed his leg during the surgery and the doctor informed us that his leg would not "wake up" until the day after surgery. I kept up with medicine all night long. Well, Carl did as he was the one to stay downstairs with him. Alex is sleeping on the trundle bed for now and Carl is in the recliner.
Alex was pretty comfortable until about midday Friday when the numbing medicine started to wear off. He actually asked for medicine for the first time. Now it is just a matter of keeping the leg elevated and switching the ice packs constantly. He is having fun playing video games and drawing with his new art supplies. I think it is more work for Carl and I as we are the ones keeping track of medicines and switching ice packs and making sure that little ones do not jump on their brother. We were told that this surgery is extremely painful and to expect Alex to be sleeping and in lots of pain for the week after. The incredible thing is that he has not expressed much pain to us. He is comfortable and in wonderful spirits. He has not complained at all except for itching at the surgery sites which he cannot get to. It is such a blessing to have him happy and comfortable. I am keeping on top of his medicine but even that has not been bad. We were prescribed all this medicine and we have been able to handle most of his pain with just two of the five medicines. He had to take a little more after the numbing medicine wore off but now he is just taking ibuprofen and one other stronger medicine and that one not all the time.
I am so grateful for the body of Christ that came and wrapped us in prayer. There have been so many times during this process where I have felt the prayers of the church. We had people all over the country praying for Alex and still praying. There are no words to express how grateful we are for all the care and concern and prayers that were lifted up on Alex's behalf this week. Thank you all so much. When the body of Christ comes together and works like it should, it is an incredible thing to see.
I am so glad to hear it is going so well!!!
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