Good Night

I went home tonight so Josh could spend the night with Dad.  He got into the wheelchair 2 times and is worn out.  I thought they needed to have time together and as Gordon put it, there isn't any more food in the house so I guess I have work to do!  I came home to a jar of pickles tipped over in the fridge and somehow it got set too high and everything on the top shelf was half frozen so I think I was needed here.  The doctor came in after I left and Gordon said he may start the weening from the epidural tomorrow so we will have to see how it goes.  I am a little worried about him, he is obviously a little depressed. I am hoping that when the epidural is gone it will help.  I think it freaks him out a little to be mostly numb.  Also the valium he is on may be contributing to that.  We got a nice gift from his school today, they had a bouquet of balloons with some great chocolate sent over and it was nice.  We are just trying to take it one day at a time and look for small victories.  I hope that everybody knows how much we appreciate you.  Prayers, meals, and messages are great.  It is really hard for me to see him low and back in a hospital bed.  It brings back his treatment and I hate to see him so sad.  I wish he was done with all this and could just do all the things he wants.  I know this is a step to try and make that happen but it just isn't fair.  Then I see the kids at the hospital that are so much more sick than Josh and I feel guilty for thinking that way.  We are so blessed and I know it.  One day at a time. (I guess I need to take my own advice)

This Morning

Well it was a rough night but today is looking better.  We had some post op vomiting and then couldn't sleep well.  He was a little stressed out this morning but finally got some valium in him and he is chilling! We have seen the morning rounding team, the pain team, physical therapy and the doctor this morning so we are moving and shaking.  Ok, not moving yet but talking about it.  I am waiting on Gordon to bring the kids so they can see him and I think that will cheer him up alot.  Anyway, this is a short note as I need to get back to it, they are bringing a wheelchair in so we can practice moving him on it.  Keep praying and thanks. 

Recovery

We are in the recovery room with Josh!  They put a red cast on one foot and a green cast on the other and his toes are yellow.  He looks a bit puffy and is slurring his words some but I think he looks heavenly!  He is sore in his muscles from being pinned down for so long but will be ok.  We spoke to the doctor and he said they did 4 surgeries on each foot.   They cut the tendon and then reattached it longer (not sure how to explain that better) then they cut muscle under the arch and lengthened that tendon  They then took a triangle piece of the bone out to move it down. After that they severed the tendon over the big toe and broke the bone and then put it all back together with pins and plates. ( they are under the skin and permanent)  They did that to both feet and stopped.  He still needs to have his toes done (other than the big toe)  but that would have been another 3 hours so they didn't do it today.  He is still numb from the waist down from the epidural and the doctor says they will keep him numb till Thursday at the earliest, possibly Friday.  We should be home Saturday but heavily drugged for 2 weeks.  I want to cry as I write this because all I care about is that he can talk and knows I love him.  Thank you so much for your prayers, this little boy is my world and I need him to be ok.  I know he will because he is already asking for his new Kindle (Thanks more than I can say to my wonderful sisters and brother who thought about that and made it happen)  I really love you all for being a support to our little family.  We love you and are grateful you.

Update 3

Ok, we are in the home stretch!  They are done the second foot, and closing.  They said closing would take 1 and 1/2 hours and that was about 1/2 hour ago.  I don't have any more info about this foot but will hopefully be posting the final doctors report soon.  I am so excited that things are going well.  We have seen some truly ill children today and it really makes me relect on how blessed we are.  2 girls were getting back surgery, one for a broken back and the other for a curved spine.  A little boy with a syndrome that caused his hands to be fused together was here to get a feeding tube because he just won't gain weight.  He was totally cute but so small and fragile.  I can not wait to hug my sweet boy and hear him complain that he wants a popsicle! (orange of course)  I forgot to bring the camera (ok, my hands were full with the laptop and his kindle and the blankets and overnight bag and purse and phone) anyway I will try to get some kind of picture as soon as I can. 

One Foot Done!

We just got the phone call from the surgeon.  One foot is done!  I was speaking to the nurse and she couldn't give me tons of details but she says it went well.  They did have to break bones and she said they actually used a saw to cut several bones apart and put them back together but we will get more information from the surgeon after he is done with the next foot.  I guess the right is done and now they are doing the left.  We are very pleased at how fast they are going and are anxious to get him un-intubated as soon as possible but things are going well.  Thanks and keep praying!

Update 1

Ok, they just began cutting.  It took them an hour and a half just to prep him but he is under the knife now.  We were told it would be at least noon before the next update but they are working hard.  Then anestheiologist said he was really sweet and calm and she was really impressed with how he did.  Everywhere Josh goes people really are touched by his spirit.  I wish I could say he got that from us but that is just proof that we lived as spirits before this life cause he just came that way!  Love you all, keep praying.

It Begins

He is in surgery, they took him at 9am.  We will be getting updates but they expect the surgery to take at least 6 hours, if we hit 6 and 1/2 we will match the brain surgery!  The actual surgery will not start till about 10, they are putting him under and then giving him IV's and an epedural so it takes some time to get him prepped for the table.  We laughed and joked all the way to the door where we left him and then I cried when he was gone.  I don't know why but this surgery is hitting me hard.  Maybe because we just don't what the outcome will be, or maybe because I know he will be in a lot of pain after but it was hard to see him roll away.  I will update today as we get news, please be patient, I know everybody is anxious.  Thanks in advance for the prayers we know are being said today, we need that more than anything.  We love you all.