Thursday, May 31, 2012

Go for Launch!!

We just got the "official" call that Parker's surgery will be tomorrow around lunchtime!  Today was spent prepping him in the event that the call was made to go ahead tomorrow-- paralyzed for 24 hours, increased and constant suction on his stomach to get all the air out and make it squish back through the hole easier, some extra blood volume added, some extra diuretics and steroids.  He was pretty out of it all day (obviously, with that laundry list of goings-on), HOWEVER, I finally got to see some eyeballs!!

I was too beside myself to take a picture.  Apologies.

He opened them several times when I first arrived, so I was able to talk to him and rub his sweet little face while they put him under with the paralytic.  My heart was (is) happy.


We are, naturally, nervous about the surgery tomorrow.  I know we are in the best of hands, but no parent wants to see their 2 week old baby boy, whom we have never gotten to hold and snuggle with, get wheeled into an OR.  Mike chatted briefly with the surgeon about the actual procedure, which will take about 2 hours depending on the severity of the hernia.  If you have a moment around lunch time tomorrow, please send some thoughts and prayers on down towards Egleston.  Mike and I will be in the surgical waiting area-- probably with me sweating profusely from my arm pits and Mike pacing around and playing his nerdy medieval app in which he takes over other people's cities on an imaginary planet (yeah... don't ask.  I mock him mercilessly on a daily basis for it.  And yet I love him still).

They will go in laproscopically to get a better view of the situation, and if they can, repair it without cutting open his chest.  In that case, they will stitch the hernia closed by suturing the diaphragm to itself.  This would be ideal, as opposed to a big giant incision under his ribs.  If the hernia is large, they will open his chest and fix the diaphragm with mesh and a patch (probably made of Goretex).  The risk of re-herniation later in life is greater with a patch, so we'd like to avoid that if at all possible.  We aren't too picky, really, so long as the surgery goes well and Parker recovers as quickly as possible!

The mysterious right lung situation mentioned yesterday will probably not be addressed tomorrow.  In addition to the three possibilities I listed yesterday, today the surgeon mentioned that it might just be some lung collapse from the right lung having to compensate for the left.  Whatever the case may be, they have decided that Parker will be under enough stress tomorrow without adding all that to the mix, and that they can re-evaluate after he is recovered from his repair.  Even if it is something that will be have to be surgically removed, that will wait for another six months to a year.  We'll be on a regular consult basis with Dr. Parker for a few years, so they can keep a close eye on it.  I am more than okay with letting that ride for a while if it isn't presenting any present danger.  We have enough on our plates as it is!

Tomorrow is NATIONAL DONUT DAY!  It's funny how God's timing has worked this week-- everything has happened sooner than expected, especially given the wretchedness of last week, so that one of the most critical days of Parker's life will fall on the day the rest of the country celebrates his favorite food.  We already felt good about Team Parker (baby and doctor), and now combined with National Donut Day-- Jupiter has aligned with Mars, peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars, etc. etc. etc.  We are ready to roll.  We continue daily to see God's hand in Parker's life, and we feel His grace carrying us as parents.  There's no way we'd be making it otherwise!

I will update after he comes out of surgery tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

24 comments:

  1. You know, I have intimately been following every step of Parker's progress thus far. And while I know there have been many scary moments for you and Mike and the rest of the family, I have had a feeling all along that Parker is going to be just fine. As I read your latest blog, I can't help to be nervous for all of you. But, once again, I have no doubt that he is going to be ok. JB needs a little brother to love on and poorly influence and beat up on :). I am confident that if there is a will, there is a way... And he definitely has the will. We all have you in our thoughts and prayers and I can't wait to read your next post about how great he is doing post surgery!

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  2. Best of Luck! Will send good thoughts and prayers your way.

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  3. Happy closing of ParkEd’s second week and blessed start to his third! Love. OmaCindyMom & OpaBillDad 2012-05-31st Thu-20:40

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  4. Abby...I will be thinking of Parker tomorrow as always and will be slightly jealous not to be able to be apart of this next phase of his journey! But never fear...if you need anything let the girls at work know and I will be there!! Prayers, Love and a Big Squeeze to you!! Parker is ready, Dr Parker is ready, and God is ready! It will be great!! Love, Nurse Sarah

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  5. Praying for baby Parker and family.

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  6. Prayers are with you all.

    Debby from Texas, a recent 1st time grandmother plus a mother of a 32 year old born with Spina Bifida who recently learned about CDH.

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  7. I'll be praying for your little guy tomorrow (today)! I might even have to go get a donut!

    Katy
    Jacob's Mommy
    RCDH Survivor

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  8. Thinking of you today!! Prayers for all!!

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  9. Thinking of you and your family!

    Christi (mom of 2 boys and rowing buddy of Ali's)

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  10. Thoughts and prayers are with you. I will try to sneak out at lunch and grab a donut!

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  11. Abby, we will be thinking about all of you on Friday (as we have been every day) and sending all of our prayers and thoughts your way!

    Love to all,
    Mandy

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  12. Praying for Parker today, on this, our National Doughnut day =). I share your love of doughnuts by the way and when my Dakota was in the hospital we stayed in a RV in a parking lot behind a gas station with a dunkin doughnuts. Then right down the street from the hospital is a Krispy Kreme factory where they actually make the doughnuts right there in front of you. Needless to say, I indulged many times during Dakota's stay.
    I remember the day of her surgery crystal clear. It was delayed and I just wanted to get started. Finally when they wheeled her back, I actually felt relief. I was so relieved to get started on this part of the journey. I knew when she got back from surgery that anything from here was progress towards home. Many, many prayers for a good recovery!!!!!!!
    Hugs,
    Jennifer
    Mom to Dakota 12-25-2008
    RCDH survivor
    jennifertrafton@Hotmail.com

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  13. Heading to Krispy Kreme ..... might order a dozen of them as extra good luck for Baby Parker! Will say a prayer with each bite!

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  14. Praying for all of you, Parker, his entire family and the medical staff helping him to heal. I pray that the surgery goes perfectly and recovery progresses swiftly. Healing prayers for your beautiful baby.

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  15. Praying for you all!

    Michelle (friend of Deborah Hudgens and Denise :) )

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  16. Been reading your journey and wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your husband, the medical team, and of course Parker. I will even get a donut in his honor today :)

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  17. Prayers to team Parker! It is 3pm in Idaho right now so i'm praying all went well and Parker is resting well. Lots and lots of prayers your way! I cant wait to hear more soon

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  18. Oh and I forgot to mention Parker and I share a birthday so extra special prayer connection there!

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  19. This morning I had a doughnut and thought and prayed for Team Parker.

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  20. My Prayers are with you all ! Should Parker be anything like his Dad, then he will overcome all these obstacles and rise about his rocky start in life.

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  21. Praying for you all!

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  22. I have been praying for you all and will continue.

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