Whew!

We made it through the week so far!

We got through the weekend preparing for the colonoscopy. I would be lying if I said it was easy, but we managed of course.

Monday’s procedures went well overall. We were at a new hospital system so that took some adjusting, but they treated us well. And with all the newness, the rollaway to surgery didn’t feel as hard for some reason.

The anesthesiologist was very happy with how Sam’s sedation went. Pre surgery, she was very clear that she was a bit hesitant, but also reassured us Sam would be okay.

And he was. She said this sedation was a great precursor for a successful trach closure. She was confident Sam was doing most of his breathing through his mouth and nose. Whew.

Everyone laughed at me when I was so excited to see Sam with a nasal cannula when he came back from surgery. Weird, I know, but not in our world. A nasal cannula instead of a trach is a huge upgrade.

Sam had a tougher recovery than we’re used to, but I guess that’s normal for kids who get a colonoscopy. We ended up getting home a lot later because his glucose was really low. Again, typical with kids when they get a colonoscopy. They gave him some dextrose and that perked him up just enough for them to allow us to go home. He was mostly back to his happy, peppy self when he went to bed that night.

We are waiting on results from these procedures, but will hopefully get some answers soon.

A day later and onto the trach closure! This time we prepared for an overnight. I was able to check a few things off the hospital list now that Sam doesn’t have his trach anymore. Only the essentials are on this list. It was originally made for those lousy, unplanned hospital stays. Okay, heavy cream is not an essential, and it is the something good in my day when I can make a cup of coffee that tastes more like home. It’s all about the little things.

My niece got up at the crack of dawn to come help me. Usually when we pull into the hospital parking ramp, the PTSD starts to kick in with Sam. I think we may have tricked him a little because there were no signs of stress pulling into the ramp. I don’t get tortured when my cousin is with me. He stayed pretty stress free through most of the process until we got into the pre-op room. He clung close to my niece, not letting her go. It was a pretty special.

My niece was also able to join the Sam Team that day. Those of you who have joined this team, you know who you are. Sorry. ; ) In order to get vitals, we needed to peel Sam off of her lap to put him on the bed. She had a surprise on her pants when we did. Knowing we would have a long day; the nurses were kind enough to find her a pair of scrubs she could wear. She was very appreciative and honored to join the Sam Team. ; )

My niece was definitely the something good in Sam’s day. And another one in mine too.

Another roll away to surgery brought some quiet tears for me that day. This is actually happening.

Everything went great on their end and Sam recovered quickly.

The less I have to spend nights in a hospital, the more I dread it when we do. I don’t know if I was completely exhausted or the night nurse we had was the quieted nurse ever, but both Sam and I slept amazing. It was definitely a little of both.

I woke up to the ENT talking to Sam. She was very happy with how the trach site looked and gave us the green light to go home. She said the first twenty-four hours are the scariest or most dangerous and we were past that. Whew!

The ENT had a few more things to say and then said, “Well Sam, it’s nice to finally meet you. I hear you’re kinda famous. Thanks for helping out some of our other trached kiddos.” Thanks for melting my heart.

She left the room and Sam pointed to his trach site and said, “Ache osed.” Translated, “Trach closed.” Then he pointed at the door and said, “Octor.” Translated, “Doctor.” Smart boy.

Sam and I packed up our things and were home by 9:00am. This is record timing for us. Driving home with Sam from the hospital by myself was a very surreal experience.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of your wonderful deeds.”

~ Psalms 9:1 ~

Now hopefully onto the next hurdle…potty training.

Sam’s ENT said in seven days we can drop a few droplets of water onto his trach site and if we don’t see any bubbles, he can swim!!!!!!!

Pray for no bubbles!

#Sam Strong #Faith Over Fear