Post Op-Day 1

The night was rough. Alexander was awake every hour up until 2:30, when he finally slept until 6:30. Since he's still not talking, we had to go off of other signs on how he was feeling. It appeared to be that he was hungry, uncomfortable and in pain. Once he woke up this morning and the morning assessments were done, Alexander seemed pretty comfortable. So comfortable that I even got a smile! :) But it wasn't long after that when he began to get agitated and crying. Since he started to get upset, the nurse removed his catheter, 3 of the 4 iv's, and rectal thermometer. He proceeded to fall asleep after given Morphine and slept for a few hours. When he woke up, he was slightly happy, with a smile here and there. It was then time to take his chest tube out and he was given more morphine to help ease the pain. After the tube came out, he slept for a few more hours. Alexander woke up around 3:30 and seemed a little happy, with a few more smiles. He ate dinner tonight, which was his first meal since Tuesday night and after he ate, he became cranky and fell asleep at 7 pm. By 8:15 he was awake again crying and seeming agitated. He cried for an hour before it was decided morphine should be given because tylenol wasn't acting quick enough and he fell asleep.

I must say that throughout the day, the word "home tomorrow" was discussed. I was quite shocked that this was being discussed as he hadn't eaten much, hasn't gotten out of bed, or played much. I was definitely having my doubts. After his hour long session of crying, I realized that this is the first surgery where Alexander has been awake and trying to move the day after surgery. He is typically intubated for a day or so and then sleeps for another day after being extubated, which means he's had more recovery time while sleeping. Now that he's older and much more aware, he is not liking how he's feeling, but is  unable to tell him what is wrong. :( The morning was rough and the day ended rough. Hopefully the night is better than last and that tomorrow is another good day of recovering, but AWAKE.

Thank you for your continued prayers and positive thoughts. Keep them coming. <3