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Nov. 25, 2008
Out of surgery
Noah's surgery was uneventful and uncomplicated - the very best kind! We had our absolute all-time favorite nurse anesthetist. She has an incredible sense of compassion for these little ones and she really loves Noah. She will not take him out of pre-op holding until he has had PLENTY of versed, and she won't let him leave the OR until she has ensured that he won't be in pain when he wakes up. There is always a huge difference when we get her! Unfortunately for us (but very fortunately for others), she does a lot of medical missions trips to volunteer in assorted third world countries, so sometimes we don't get her. I wasn't sure if she was in or out of the country right now and was mighty pleased to see her walk in.
For the first time ever, Noah didn't even whimper when she took him from me. He was absolutely spaced out from the versed LOL. He also woke up in recovery with a totally calm and peaceful demeanor. The nurse said that if he started to look worried, she would remind him that Mommy was on the way, and then he would totally relax. As soon as he saw me he started calling for me, then fell asleep as soon as I picked him up.
He had a long rest in his room but is up and playing now. He is on an emotional roller-coaster right now, pinging from happy to furious with no warning, but I guess that is understandable considering the day he had and the pain meds he is on.
There is one concern about the new broviac. It is to the left of center in his chest and the insertion incision is up on his left shoulder area. Since he has been up, his left hand has started swelling fairly dramatically. It is possible that the broviac is interfering with circulation to his hand or is sending some of the fluids to his hand. The surgeon took a look at it and wants us to keep a close eye on it. I really don't know what they will have to do if there is indeed a problem.
In response to the reader who asked if Noah was possibly cured and the surgery was unnecessary . . . well, I would love it if that would happen, and God is certainly capable of doing anything, but Noah's condition is caused by a genetic defect. Every cell in his body contains this defect. Seeing Noah "cured" would be akin to seeing someone with Down's Syndrome just suddenly get their chromosomes corrected and have the Down's Syndrome go away. It isn't at all possible for Noah to be cured outside of a major-league miracle. (Again, God CAN do that, but doesn't tend to work that way.) This surgery was to give Noah a new broviac (central line) so that he can get the fluids and nutrition he needs to survive. All weekend and yesterday he had nothing but IV sugar water, and the effects on Noah were profound. It gave him a trial to see if he would eat more without TPN, and it gave his liver a couple of days vacation. Noah didn't eat more - it isn't that he needs a better appetite. The problem is that our guts require massive amounts of energy to function, and Noah's disease prevents him from making enough energy. His gut does not work well enough for him to use it for nourishment. There is no test to see if Noah still needs surgery, since his condition is on a genetic/cellular level.
Yes, Noah has been feeling lots better, and the **infection** that caused the loss of the line is cured - but his underlying condition is not cured. It is progressive and is not compatible with living a long life. We are blessed to have him, we rejoice in the gift that he is, and we do all that we can to be sure that he is as healthy and comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
To me, Noah is a living, breathing, undeniable proof that we could not possibly be the result of evolution. Noah's condition - the gut problems, the cardiomyopathy, the neurological issues, the hypertension, the immune system issues, the failing bone marrow, the autonomic nervous system issues, etc. are the result of a TEENY TINY problem - in short, his electrons don't move correctly in his cells. The problem is on such an amazingly minute level. If that teeny tiny problem in his cells can wreak such unspeakable havoc in his body, HOW COULD WE HAVE HAPPENED BY CHANCE??? How could random chance and evolution get so much perfectly right when the smallest mistake in our cellular makeup would kill us? Just food for thought . . . .
I'll update again when we know more about his broviac/swelling issues, or just update tomorrow. Thank you all for your continuing prayers and amazing ministry of encouragement to us.
Blessings,
Kate |
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Posted by Anonymous 
Posted by 
Posted by 
Nov. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Our God is SO GOOD
We love sharing your life with you, here in New Zealand!
Michelle , Brett, Chloe and Alex Sandford :o)