Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Surgery Day

We're home and everything went great! Aiden's sleeping right now so I thought I better update before he gets up, because who knows what tonight and tomorrow will be like. Here's how our day went.

The day started close to 4:30am. We had to be to Johns Hopkins by 5:30am for check-in, surgery at 7:30am. Luckily for us, we don't live too far away, and even had time to stop and get coffee on the way. I was a nervous wreck, Aiden was all smiles. He had no clue what was about to come.

We were called back to pre-op around 6:30 and then it was just person after person coming in and asking questions, nurses, two anesthesiologists, two different doctors (plus residents) who were going to assist Dr. Niparko. All I wanted was to see our surgeon, Dr. Niparko, to know we were all set. Something about him calms me ... it's the same something that nine months ago made me feel he needed to be the one to implant Aiden. And then he came and I got all teary eyed. He reassured me that everything was going to go just fine. He told us that surgery would be right around 3 hours and no matter what, they'd come out at 10:30 to give us an update.


They allowed one of us to go back with Aiden and I chose Aiden's daddy. I tried during his MRI but couldn't watch Aiden struggle as they put the mask on. Within minutes Aiden's daddy was back and Aiden was out. It was just a bit after 7:30am.


We went and ate a bagel and I got more coffee. Then we just went and sat in the waiting area. Aiden's daddy slept (he says he sleeps when he's nervous ... I say men can sleep through anything), and I tried to read, plan the next couple weeks dinners, etc. Before I knew it, it was 9:30. This is when my nervous belly came back and time went sluggishly by. I got even more nervous as I watched 10:30 pass us by, but just before 11am, the surgeon came out and we jumped up to hear.


Dr. Niparko said the whole surgery went absolutely wonderful. He said that Aiden did have quite a bit of inflammation, but no infection. He got a full insertion on both ears and said that both ears have a near identical insertion ... which means that both ears will hear pretty much the same and that mapping will be that much easier. I will post later about the whole insertion process and show pictures of what the implant looks like, right now I'm just too tired.


Then we got to go see our baby. He was just coming to from anesthetic and of course very fussy. He was sucking down pedialyte like crazy. I got him in my arms and fed him a bottle as I rocked and calmed him. It felt so great to hold my baby, knowing the hardest part (emotionally and physically anyway) was done. He made it through. My baby is ready to hear. Next stop ... healing then activation.


We left the hospital by 2pm and were home soon after. I can't believe how short the day actually was, especially with bilateral implants! But even more so, I can't believe we're one step closer to our baby hearing! A lot of people ask, "can he hear now?" and no he can't. His implants are inserted, but now they need to be "turned on" and then lots and lots and lots of therapy. Again, another whole post for later. Today was a very important day. We are so very thankful for Dr. Niparko and his team at Johns Hopkins. We couldn't have been in any better hands! They all did such a wonderful job with our baby and we can't thank them enough.

I'm sure I'm missing things, but I'm worn out. Aiden's been sleeping a lot, but should be back to himself tomorrow. We will try to leave the bandage on until Friday, but I have a feeling it will be off before the end of tomorrow. All I know is that now that it's all said and done, I feel this huge sense of relief ... I can breathe again. Even more important, I know that today Aiden was given the gift of the ability to hear by an amazing surgeon. Now it's up to us to make it happen. Hearing world ... "hear" he comes!

24 comments:

Landon's Mom said...

I was hoping you'd get a chance to post. I've been thinking (and praying) for Aiden all day. Sounds like it couldn't have gone any better. Congrats on making it through the toughest part. Can't wait to hear how activation goes! Get some rest - because I'm sure you didn't last night - and he'll bounce back faster than you can imagine.:)

Kim said...

I'm so glad to hear that Aiden did well through the surgery! You've given him the awesome gift of hearing!!

Kim

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a day ya'll had. I am sooo happy to hear it all went well. I knew he'd be a trooper through it all! Children are amazing when they go through stuff like this. I'm anxious to hear how the healing goes and the activation of implants! I'm definitely gonna have to make another trip out when to see how he's progressing!

hugs, anita

Christian and Lily's Mommy said...

I've been checking all day hoping for an update. Tammy, I am so happy that everything went well, and those pictures and your post reminded me of our experience just 8 months ago with Christian's implant.

You've made it through the hardest part, now let's start counting down to activation!

Can't wait to see you and precious Aiden again soon!

Anonymous said...

Tammy-
Thanks so much for taking the time to make this entry. You all have been in our thoughts and prayers all day!

Cuddle that baby and get some sleep yourself...
Diana

leah said...

I've been checking to see if you'd be able to post today! I got really teary reading this- I am so glad the surgery is done and he is on the road to recovery! The hard part is over and the best is yet to come. Here's to lots of rest and healing, and to a short waiting period until activation.

PolyglotMom said...

I've been thinking about you guys and praying all day! So glad to hear everything went well! I'm sure he'll be back to himself tomorrow! The countdown to activation begins... Yay!

Kel said...

I've been getting "so, can he hear?" and "how's it going with the implants?" non-stop since surgery too. You'll get used to it fast! I am so, so glad it went so well!!

Tanna's Triplets said...

Congrats. My son has his surgery last Wednesday. The day after his surgery you would have never known he even had surgery!! I hope Aiden has a fast recovery!!!

Danielle said...

I been waiting all day for a post!!! I am so happy it turned out great! phew that is over!! Im sure he will be just fine! Its amazing that he will be able to hear!!! So happy for you all.

Herding Grasshoppers said...

I'm amazed (and grateful!) that you had time and energy to post.

Thank you for being so open and graciously informative about the whole process. (NG picked a great family to track! Can't wait to see the article!)

But even better, praise God the surgery went well. Kids are incredibly resilient... hope the recovery goes smoothly.

And then... ACTIVATION!

What a day :0)

misskri said...

I'm so glad that everything went well ~ the way you explain your nervousness before surgery and the calmness once you seen the surgeon...its the exact way I felt about Thomas' surgeon.
I hope your night was uneventful and that today Aiden is doing well.

Bill and Shelly said...

So glad everything went so well. I am amazed at how fast kids bounce back. Allison was playing and wanting Wendy's after her surgery.
Can't wait to hear how well he does,it is so exciting to be going through this journey with you.
Best of luck to you all.

Anonymous said...

What great news!!! You all have been in our thoughts and prayers.


Cattle

MB said...

Aw, great pics! He looks just like a teeny wrestler with headgear.

So glad to hear all went well. Can't believe they can do a bilateral in such a short amount of time. Fabulous!

The Brights said...

Tammy, glad to hear all went well yesterday. Aiden is such a trooper! Thanks for sharing all the adorable pictures!

Praying for a speedy recovery!

Ambulance Mommy said...

So glad to hear it went smoothy. that "fun" after anethesia gets me every time. Its kind of weird that I dread that the most. Thats the part I feel like I am helpless at, and I hate that feeling.

Looking forward to his activation!

Mom to Toes said...

I am so glad to hear it went so well. I was thinking of you all day.

I have tears in my eyes right now. Such a sweet boy!

Jennifer said...

I am glad it went so well. Those pictures certainly bring back lots of memories from 18 months ago. It's a wonderful journey and you are going to love watching your baby experience the world through his "ears"

Ben's Mom said...

So glad to hear everything went well! I prayed for you and Aiden yesterday. Can't wait to hear how activation goes!

Anonymous said...

We are so happy to hear that everything went great with Aiden's surgery. If Aiden is anything like Ben, he will have a fast recovery.
Now I can't wait to hear how fast he responds to sound. That will be fun to see how he responds.

Unknown said...

I came across a post on cicircle and thought I had better check for an update! I am so glad everything went well! It is such a relief to be over and done with. I am glad you made it and can't wait to hear how the activation goes. Good luck! It is an emotional day as well!

Loudest Mom said...

Wow! What an amazing day for all of you.....
I hope the recovery goes fantastic (I'm SURE it will), and I can't wait for activation updates!

Susannah said...

LOve it! we are just a few days behind you!