Surgery Day

Disclaimer: These photos have ZERO to do with this post.  I just took them right before Blake's surgery at home because the boys had never showered together.  They had so much fun!  I love these "twin" moments. :)

 Anyway, surgery day.  Blake was supposed to have surgery at 9 AM.  At 9:45 AM they still hadn't come to get him yet and the nurse came in and said it would be another 45 minutes.  At 10:30 AM the anesthesiologist took a crying Blake back for surgery.  

 I will say I was very grateful how they communicated with us for surgery.  At 11:10 AM, we were told they had started the procedure.  The room was scheduled for Blake's surgery for 2.5 hours.  Imagine our surprise when they came and told us at noon that he was already in recovery!

 We headed up to recovery where we found a not-so-happy little boy who was crying, screaming and fighting with the nurse.  I immediately took him and tried to console him, although it was challenging. 

 Shortly thereafter, we were taken to our room.  They gave Blake Tylenol for the pain and he was pretty happy going in and out of sleep on our laps, which was fine with us. 

 Dr. Jetton ordered an x-ray done to check and see what his catheter looked like.  She showed us the x-ray of the old one and the new one.  The catheter looks great.  And, like she said, let's hope it works as good as it looks!

 The surgeon suggested giving Blake 24 hours to heal a little.  So, no dialysis until Thursday morning.

 His normal fill volumes for each of his cycles is 500 mL, but they will start him at 100 mL and work him up slowly to make sure the catheter isn't leaking and also make sure it's draining well.

 We still have no idea how long we'll be here.  I just depends on how things go with the dialysis.  Prayers for an awesomely working catheter!!

The best part of the day was when we got to Face Time with Jenna, Brody and Bowen.  Grandma Linda said Jenna cried today because she misses us.  Breaks my heart.  It was great to hear their voices and see their smiles and hear their laughter. :) 

Surgery Wednesday

Aaron, Blake and I left for Iowa City early this morning.  Even though Blake's surgery is set for Wednesday, we still had three other appointments today.  This was a tough one.  It's the first time that Aaron and I will both be gone from Jenna, Brody and Bowen for such a long period of time.  I held it together until we pulled out of the driveway and then I cried. 

 They did some transplant labs along with regular labs and the gal got the vein on the first try.  YAY!

 We then headed over to the new Iowa River Landing for an ultrasound and a consult with the urologist, Dr. Kieran.  We waited for one hour and 15 minutes in that tiny room waiting for the doctor to come.  With a two year old.  Note to hospital staff: please don't make us go back in the room if the doctor is behind schedule.  I'd rather be in the waiting room.  I'm just saying...

 Anyway, we waited all that time for her to ask if we have a donor yet and then said to call her when we do and we can get surgery set-up for his bladder augmentation.  She also said that Blake still holds the bar the highest for the most messed-up bladder due to posterior urtheral valves she's ever seen. So, that's something... :)

 We then had our six month check with neonatology for the infant follow-up program.  Blake did AWESOME.  So awesome in fact that physically, socially, etc. he is right on track or ahead of where he should be that she said we didn't need to see her anymore.  Woo-hoo!

 Our clinic in dialysis was uneventful, which is always the best kind.  We heard from the dietician, doctor and nurse about how good Blake looks and how they are so impressed with how he is thriving. 

 No changes to meds.  That almost never happens.  We then talked about surgery for tomorrow.

 Blake's surgery to replace his dialysis catheter is scheduled for 9 AM on Wednesday.  We have to report at 7:30 AM.  It is supposed to take around two and a half hours plus another one and a half in recovery. 

 I don't want to say I'm nervous, but I'm nervous.  It's surgery.  Any type of surgery is scary. 

 I will keep you all up-to-date through facebook and will also do a blog post tomorrow nite. 

We would sure appreciate any prayers that you could send our way tomorrow.  I hope everything goes well so we can get back to this kind of stuff.  Outside play, trampoline fun and bike riding.  Prayers for a speedy recovery so we can be all together again really soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Long 4th of July Weekend!

We headed to see the Burdorfs - both sets - over the long 4th of July weekend.  We started at Frank and Linda's and got there on the 4th since Aaron had to umpire the night before.  Once we got there things were great!  It was the getting there that made it L-O-N-G. 

 On our way into town, we stopped at Sonic for lunch.  Have you been there?  Do you love their commercials?  Jenna has been wanting to go so bad, but the one in Marshalltown closed, as did the one in Iowa City.  Bummer.  Anyway, we got a double dose as we went to Sonic on the 4th and also for Happy Hour while we were in Omaha!  Good stuff!

 Grandma had a ton of bubbles, so the kids loved those.  The twins also loved to dump them out.   Luckily, grandma was patient!  Aaron made bubbles and the kids were trying to bat them down.

 Also, the kids practiced their hitting and Jenna wanted to try to hit left-handed.  And did really good!  What the heck is that?!  Now we're all confused about which way she should hit...

 

 Grandpa and Blake were clearly having an intense conversation. :)

 I tried to do that whole 4 on the 4th thing.   Yeah... try number two.

 And try number 12 (approximately). FAIL. 

 Us.  On the 4th.  We were much more cooperative. Ha!  Photo courtesy: Miss Jenna.

 The night of the 4th, Frank and Linda took Jenna and Brody to an Explorers baseball game.  Fireworks followed.  Guess what?  The game went 12 innings!  But, Jenna and Brody both knew the Explorers won and how they won (walk-off HR). 

A quick snap before we said good-bye.

 Saturday we went to the Omaha Zoo, along with about 10,000 other people.  It was a busy place.  Aaron was sad to see this, all that remains of Rosenblatt Stadium after they tore it down.

 Brody and Addy were watching the bear.  The bear was watching Brody and Addy.

 Juice break.  It was hot.

 The goats at the petting zoo were a favorite. 

 Bowen was all about brushing the goats.

 As we were walking out of the petting zoo, we saw Aaron's cousin, Anny and her family!  Small world.  The kids also loved all the misting devices around the zoo.

 After we got home, Uncle Adam set-up the sprinkler and the slip-n-slide.  Lots of laughter!

 It got a little congested at times on the slip-n-slide!

On Sunday, my mom and Bill drove to Omaha and met us at I-Hop for breakfast.  It's been too long since we've seen them.  I missed my mama!  (sorry for the blurry photo.  Fingerprints on my phone.)

It was a nice weekend with family and it was nice to just get away from home for awhile.  Thanks to our family for having us!!