Update 1:35 - Out of Surgery

Ok, for those of you playing along at home and work, we're now down one more tube. Of course we've made up for the lack of tube with the addition of the 'betadine' like soap/prep they cover him with to maximize a sterlne environment to work on. It's going down his neck and sides because they had to reinstall the tube to his tummy (remember, the extra CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) drains down a tube behind his neck and into his abdomen (check out the visual aid on the right hand navigation bar for a reference). Perhaps when he gets a little older and we get some of these surgeries behind us, we'll start naming all of the little scars (3-4 on his tummy, 2-3 on his neck, 3 on his head - NOT counting the mother of all scars from his cranial reconstruction and not counting all of the little holes from IVs and IV attempts.

They successfully internalized the shunt and installed a new valve back in his head. We haven't spoken to his doctor yet (he had three shunts scheduled this morning) but his intensive care nurse indicated he did well. He was awake when we went back although somewhat groggy (understandably). They were careful not to use a drug that would sedate him too deeply to avoid any more breathing problems while under sedation. Our Anesthesologist reminded us, 'we don't die from pain we die from lack of oxygen'.We've brought him back to the room and began to get him comfortable. He did have some junk in his nose and throat we needed to clear out. He was really struggling with it including having difficulty even coughing it out and, as you might have guessed, creating breathing problems and causing his oxygen levels to drop. Shawn, being newly appointed aat home s the suction master, did the honors here. Once we got a substantial amount out, he was more relaxed and worn out. Teri put on the CD of primary songs he listens to at Grandma Jacquie's house and as you can see he's drifted off to sleep. His heart rate, oxygen levels, respiration all look good.

Once we get the 'official update' from the surgeon we'll create another post with the details.