Jonathan’s Operation

Monday, June 7, 2010

We arrived at Shriner's Hospital on Monday shortly before our 10:00 a.m. appt. We found a parking space on the street and went inside. Since Jonathan's surgery had been rescheduled only the day before, he was not on anyone's list. They also couldn't find his chart from our previous appt, so we had to wait. As we waited we checked into accommodations for Daniel. Only one of us was allowed to stay in the hospital with Jonathan, so we needed a place close by for Daniel. The hospital could get us specialized rates at some of the nearby hotels, but the cheapest one was $75/night! We opted for a room at the Ronald McDonald House for $25.

Finally, about 2:00 p.m., they had his bed & chart ready and we able to get settled in the room. We were in a room with two young girls, about 6-7 years old. Both were to be operated on by the same doctor, due to both having hand problems. We introduced ourselves to them and their parents and discovered that one family was from Tijuana and the other from Ensenada! Shortly after, different hospital workers came by to introduce themselves. Several nurses came to check on us and make sure that we had everything we needed. Only lady, in charge of the entertainment, came to tell us that we could check out books or toys for Jonathan during our stay. The doctor's assistant came later that evening to let us know the procedure for the following day's surgery and answer any questions. The hospital's policy to operate on the youngest patients first made Jonathan the first scheduled surgery for his doctor the next day. He couldn't have any food after midnight and no liquids after 3:00 a.m.

After giving Jonathan dinner and a bath with the special soap they left us, Daniel had to leave. Visiting hours ended at 7:00 and that meant he was headed over to his room for the night. But, he would be back early the next day.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

We were woken up several times during the night as the nurses came to check on Jonathan, take his blood pressure, or bring his last drink of juice. At 6:30 a.m. a doctor showed up to draw blood, in case of an emergency during the operation. Our brave little boy didn't even cry when they took blood! Around 7:00, Daniel showed up, and shortly after, the doctors came to wheel Jonathan away to the pre-op room. We waited with him as they made the final checks and prepared him for surgery. About 7:50, they took him and we were left on our own to pray and wait.

Around three hours later, about 11:00 a.m, we got the call that Jonathan was done in surgery. The doctor's assistant came out and told us that everything went well. They were able to separate the pinky finger from the ring finger. They also straightened the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. They had to take a small piece of bone out of the pinky finger to straighten it, but there were no problems. The only question is if they will separate the middle and ring fingers later. While they were separating the fingers, they saw that those three fingers don't have many ligaments, so separating the other two fingers may cause him to lose what movement he has in them. Please pray with us that they can separate them with full movement. We serve a great God!

Soon after, we were allowed in to see him. He was just waking up from the anesthesia and had an I.V. and other tubes still in him. He started to cry as soon as I picked him up – he was hungry! We struggled to get him to drink the juice we brought him, but soon he was feeling better and fell asleep. After about an hour in the post-op room, he was taken back to his room, where they continued to monitor his vitals. He continued to drink juice and had some jell-o and soon was sitting up trying to play. Around dinnertime, they removed the I.V. and blood pressure cuff and he able to get out of the crib to eat. A little later, we had a visit from Daniel's aunt and that evening we received many phone calls inquiring about his health. Still feeling the effects of the pain medication, he slept very soundly that night.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Having slept well the night before, and not being disturbed by the nurses checking up on him, Jonathan was up early the next day. The nurses were quite surprised that he had not received any more pain medication, especially when he was as active as ever. The doctor came in to check on him once more and gave the okay to go home as soon as we were ready. Around 8:30, we received all his paperwork and his medications and were released to leave. Daniel arrived shortly after to help load up the car and we were on our way.

We made good time, stopping in San Diego to run some errands and take a break before crossing the border. We arrived in Ensenada about 7:30 p.m., and decided to stay the night there and head home in the morning. We were able to visit friends and family and make contact with many who asked about Jonathan's surgery. After staying the night with friends, we arrived home on Thursday, June 10.

Thank you to each one of you who has been praying for this surgery. We head back up to L.A. on Thursday to change the cast and see how the hand is healing. Jonathan is playing and acting like nothing happened and gets enjoyment out of hitting mom or dad with the cast. It apparently hurts us more than it does him!