Rapid Treatment Unit (RTU)…
November 9, 2007 | Updates
They finally came and got me just a few minutes after I finished my last post to say that Samuel was out of surgery. When I got to post-op, they said he had been there 20 minutes or so. They started telling me that they would take him down to RTU soon and going through a bunch of other stuff when I said, “Uh, the doctor never came and talked to me. Is Samuel doing OK? How did the surgery go?” Woops, I guess the doctor usually talks to the parents right after surgery and then calls them back to be with their child a while after that. Guess they skipped me. No harm done, though, just 5 more years off my life in those last 20 minutes in the waiting room!
So, Samuel did well. He is awake now and we are in the RTU. I know the surgery site hurts. There are not smiles from Samuel and he is grimacing a lot. If he moves at all, he starts to cry and then goes into his habitual arching of his back which increases the pain, which increases the crying which increases the arching which… Well, you get the point. It’s not a pretty site. And then there are startle seizures when people walk down the hall by our door or nurses come in the room too quickly. I left the room for 2 minutes to try and find him a movie (since they don’t have DVD players here) and he let out a scream like I hadn’t heard from him in a long, long time. The poor nurse was pale by the time I got back. Samuel was arched back in a complete “C” and screaming as she tried to somehow get him straight again to help with the pain. I guess the blood pressure cuff had started up and caused him to seize because he was already crying and it was too much for him. That caused the scream and the arching. He cried so hard he started gagging like he would throw up. I don’t know if I’ve even seen him cry like that. It took me 10 minutes to calm him down. Crap! I hate to see him in pain!
On the good news side, I can tell he understands a lot. He looked so confused when he woke up and then he looked a little scared and then upset like he knew he was somewhere different, didn’t understand and wanted to go home. And me being right next to him helps to calm him. It’s nice to know that he really does know me. I wish it wasn’t so painful, though. But, they will keep him on pain meds to try and help with it.
You can just see him wondering if next time we go out of town we can take a trip to Disneyland or ANYWHERE else but the PCMC!
The surgery site is completely covered in dressings, so I can’t see it. The tube is HUGE, but it will only be that was for 6-8 weeks and then they will replace it with a small “button”. If they only knew how hard it is going to be for us to have that big tube for 8 weeks. Samuel does not hold still and he is not going to like having that there. It’s going to be a huge task to keep him from pulling it out. It’s going to be a long 8 weeks.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. There were no problems with the surgery or the anesthesia. He came out of it fine with great stats. He didn’t even need extra oxygen. It’s going to be a long night, though. I can already tell. He’s laying peacefully now, though, watching Hercules. They gave him some pain meds, so he’s looking pretty sleepy. Let’s hope the pain goes away quick! At least they have lots of movies and the Disney Channel here!
Keep praying for the little guy!
Love,
Teresa
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November 9th, 2007 at 3:39 pm, Tammy and Parker Says:
Hey You,
We should have scheduled things better…… Parker goes up next week for both a Nissen and a G-Tube placement.
sigh
I’m glad Samuel did so well through his surgery.
Which surgeon performed it?
November 9th, 2007 at 4:40 pm, Caradie & Corbin Says:
Hi Teresa,
I wanted to share with you a good tip I learned for dealing with the long tube until the button is in. There’s this netting stuff that is used on burn patients. It’s kinda like a sock. You just put it around the belly. I used to put Corbie’s on him, from his chest to his lower belly & then I would wrap up the tube & stuff in under the netting.
I’m so sorry!!! you & Samuel had to wait to be back together. You may remember but something simular happened to Corb & I at our hospital. They forgot to come tell me he was done & in recovery, instead they broght him back to his floor/room & by the time I got to him to was totally freaking out. The nurse did write up a report on that one but only because I told EVERYONE he needed me the second he woke up. UGH!!!
I still know you & Samuel will eventually be very happy with the tube. Don’t get me wrong though there are bumps in the road when the tube is new but after some time you will love it. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me.
Caradie
November 9th, 2007 at 9:38 pm, Natalie Says:
Yay! I’m so glad the surgery part is over. Now we’ll be praying for a smooth recovery and transition. The netting thing is a wonderful idea. It will help that big thing from flapping around. And I, too, have dealt with the post-op mix-up. Sometimes it gets a bit hectic in there. Glad you were finally able to see him. We love you and hope all goes well!