HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS, and Happy Australia day to all you Ozzy readers!
We were in the hospital early to see Theo before his operation although it was nice to have a really short 5 minute drive this time. When we arrived he was squirming around and grimacing a lot and we felt extremely useless. We are now familiar with all his machines, and what they do, so couldn't work out what the problem was. When his nappy was changed we could see the Silo was beginning to break away at the base, so we can only guess it was this that was causing him some distress. Needless to say we were so pleased his op was scheduled within a few hours. The Silo had done its job well but needed to go asap.
Theo was taken to theatre at 11am whilst Nic and I went for a very emotional walk in the Meadows rather than waiting nervously in a hospital waiting room. Theo was back in ITU by around 2pm so we headed back and met with the surgical team shortly after. Everything went to plan, so now its a bit of a waiting game (refer to post on 24/1 for details on exact surgery). The Exomphalos is still very large but with a better chance of returning to abdomen and it looks considerably smaller to what it was in his first week. The surgeons couldn't see what was in or out, they mentioned they couldn't see the spleen or stomach, but difficult to tell as Theo has been able to form his own thin membrane over the exomphalos, which is another very positive sign. They took a Skin graph which was then rushed off to Sheffield where it will be grown in a lab for about 18-21 days...incredible! (as Jane said in a text today 'Holby City doesn't get a look in now-this is way more exciting!!) Now we just need our boy to heal, get stronger and recover from his 3rd theatre visit. His incubator no longer has the 'washing line' holding up the silo and exomphalos so he now looks like a 'real' baby when he is lying in his incubator with his blanket over him. Quite emotional to see as you almost feel like you could hold him and I know Nic is desperate for that day.
Nic & I are pretty shattered both emotionally and physically tonight although Nic drove back through to see Theo and read him a story, I think wanting to make her presence felt as he comes round a bit. We are on day 16 but only really back at the stage we had hoped to be after his birth (albeit 8 weeks earlier than planned!) Our journey is far from over but we hope that the major hurdles have been cleared and we can focus on the road to recovery now. It's back to the next 72 hours being quite critical in terms of infection and how Theo does after his procedure so keep the thoughts and prayers coming. Nic came out of the hospital this morning, as Theo went into surgery, and when she checked her phone she had around 20 texts which off course set her off again, but in a good way.
We were in the hospital early to see Theo before his operation although it was nice to have a really short 5 minute drive this time. When we arrived he was squirming around and grimacing a lot and we felt extremely useless. We are now familiar with all his machines, and what they do, so couldn't work out what the problem was. When his nappy was changed we could see the Silo was beginning to break away at the base, so we can only guess it was this that was causing him some distress. Needless to say we were so pleased his op was scheduled within a few hours. The Silo had done its job well but needed to go asap.
Theo was taken to theatre at 11am whilst Nic and I went for a very emotional walk in the Meadows rather than waiting nervously in a hospital waiting room. Theo was back in ITU by around 2pm so we headed back and met with the surgical team shortly after. Everything went to plan, so now its a bit of a waiting game (refer to post on 24/1 for details on exact surgery). The Exomphalos is still very large but with a better chance of returning to abdomen and it looks considerably smaller to what it was in his first week. The surgeons couldn't see what was in or out, they mentioned they couldn't see the spleen or stomach, but difficult to tell as Theo has been able to form his own thin membrane over the exomphalos, which is another very positive sign. They took a Skin graph which was then rushed off to Sheffield where it will be grown in a lab for about 18-21 days...incredible! (as Jane said in a text today 'Holby City doesn't get a look in now-this is way more exciting!!) Now we just need our boy to heal, get stronger and recover from his 3rd theatre visit. His incubator no longer has the 'washing line' holding up the silo and exomphalos so he now looks like a 'real' baby when he is lying in his incubator with his blanket over him. Quite emotional to see as you almost feel like you could hold him and I know Nic is desperate for that day.
Nic & I are pretty shattered both emotionally and physically tonight although Nic drove back through to see Theo and read him a story, I think wanting to make her presence felt as he comes round a bit. We are on day 16 but only really back at the stage we had hoped to be after his birth (albeit 8 weeks earlier than planned!) Our journey is far from over but we hope that the major hurdles have been cleared and we can focus on the road to recovery now. It's back to the next 72 hours being quite critical in terms of infection and how Theo does after his procedure so keep the thoughts and prayers coming. Nic came out of the hospital this morning, as Theo went into surgery, and when she checked her phone she had around 20 texts which off course set her off again, but in a good way.
Great to hear that Theo's operation went so well. You must have been on pins waiting for him to come back from theatre. It's just amazing to hear about Theo's skin being grown in Sheffield...will that give him dual nationality??!!
ReplyDeleteSending love, thoughts and prayers that the next few days go smoothly.
Claire, Fran & Seth
x
Just wanted to say its great that all has went well and that Theo is being such a star!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts.
Linda xx
I am just catching up on today's events. I am so glad the op went well and will continue sending those positive vibes to Theo.
ReplyDeleteJaniexx
Absolutely mind-blowing what this wee soldier - and you two - are going through, and the way in which all three of you are fighting every step of the way is just incredible. An amazing wee boy with amazing parents. Thank you so much for taking the time to keep us informed as he is in our thoughts all the time, and you have no idea how many people - people that you will never even probably meet - ask for a daily update on Theo. Huge love and respect to you both, high fives to the big two year old (bet your house looks like Tidmouth sheds...) and all the love and positive vibes in the world to Theo.
ReplyDeleteNeil, Judith, Matt and Charlie xx