JJ's Big Day

JJ was greeted with a whole bunch of love when we got home.

On Tuesday Jeff and I woke up bright and early to bring JJ to Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital for his surgery. I'm going to recap the whole experience for my own record, but if that doesn't interest you I have a couple pictures of JJ the following days after his surgery.

The nurse gave JJ a tiny bottle of pedialyte while at the hospital. JJ doesn't take bottles often but this bottle was so tiny and cute he loved it! I had to wash it just so he could drink some water from it the next day.

 About two weeks before his 6 month check-up I noticed a tiny bump on his lower back (right in the top of the little tiny crack of his bottom). We brought him in to the after hours clinic where the Dr. told us it was just a cyst and not to worry. We followed up with his Doctor who said the same thing but wanted us to met with a Surgeon to confirm and see if he wanted to remove it now to avoid later infections or problems. When the surgeon felt and saw it through an ultrasound he wasn't completely sure that's what it was and wanted to rule out anything more serious, hence the surgery. Not going to lie as most of you know since I spent time talking to you all I was a basket case leading up to the big day. I knew the surgery was minimal and wasn't too concerned about that. I was concerned of putting our little baby under anesthesia.

 After talking to our cousin Jolene, my friends Lisa and Holly all of whom had their children put under while babies and cousin Leah an ER nurse I was feeling a little better. On Monday, the day before his surgery Lori came along with me to church to have JJ anointed. We met with Fr. Israel one of our Priests from India that is such a caring and gentle soul. Immediately upon meeting JJ he says, "Oh! He will be just fine. There is nothing wrong with this little guy!" Not that he is psychic or anything, I just knew from that he was right and nothing was wrong with little bubs. Of course then Lori and I still cried like little babies during his Sacrament. I must say I am so thankful for my faith and I encourage anyone who is going through something similar to look into having this done (and I am almost certain this is with any Christian denomination). It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when he read the words from the bible for healing saying JJ would be just fine and he prayed for the Doctors performing the surgery. He also gave me great advice; when I was handing JJ over to his nurse to be carried away he told me to say three times "Jesus, I trust in you". I made sure to remember that.

We made JJ a build-a-bear too for his big day. Who says boys can't love their teddies? JJ sure does!

 The night before his surgery JJ's anesthesiologist called to check in on us. I got to ask a few more questions and felt confident JJ would be under great care. I put JJ to bed at his normal time then proceeded to stay up the entire night. Ooops. Knew it would happen though ;) JJ got to nurse one last time at 3:30 then had to go the rest of the morning with an empty belly. We woke up and headed out the doors at 5:15 am while Lori stayed behind to watch Johanna. When we arrived to the hospital channel 9 news and Kozi 101 radio were there... apparently they were having their annual Christmas drive for donations to the Ronald McDonald house. So while waiting we got to listen to the radio hosts talk and play Christmas music which I guess was a good thing since it took my mind off of things. After we checked JJ in they brought us back to a surgery prep room.

 Upon walking into the room I did loose it here and cried a little. The nurse was very nice and understanding and calmed me down with her great sense of humor and kindness. I remember this from delivering both of my babies, nurses really do set the mood so thank goodness for caring and friendly souls sent our way! We dressed JJ in his little hospital gown and slip free socks then waited for our doctors to check in. First to arrive was the anesthesiologist. He was very kind and let me know JJ would do great. He also said he certainly was not the youngest one for the day receiving surgery and that there was a little one 7 months younger on the schedule for the day. Wow. Really makes you think twice about your worries when a little newborn is going through the same thing. I said prayers for that tiny one and thanked the anesthesiologist.

       Next was our Surgeon. I had great trust in him. He is world known for his abilities and we had heard nothing but good things of him so I just knew JJ would be in good hands. He met with us and went over everything one more time and told us how long to expect to wait (1 hour). He reminded me that he didn't think it was anything serious but he just didn't want to take the chance. We all agreed.

Look Mom, I'm feeling great I can even stand up!

 Then the nurse came in to take JJ away. This is the part we were most worried about. With JJ being under one we weren't allowed back into the surgery room for the preparatory stuff. I gave JJ a big hug and kiss and remembering what Fr. Israel said I said my prayers: "Jesus, I trust in you." JJ was unaware of anything and was so happy and smiley, I think that was the hardest part. After saying my prayers I felt a huge sense of calm come over me. We went to the waiting room were I sat down to continue to say a few prayers. I had my Great Grandma's rosary with me and I said a quick prayer to her and my Grandma Margie to be with little JJ. I knew right away Grandma Margie was with him because I could smell her perfume that I remember her wearing. God is good that way! I really didn't feel nervous at all.

My little bum is a little sore so this is how I moved around the first day. Don't worry not anymore, I'm cruising around full speed the normal way!

 The hour went by very quickly and Dr. Rothenberg came out to tell us JJ had done great. He had even greater news, not only was it not a tumor it wasn't a cyst it was cartilage from his tailbone! This is still waiting for confirmation from the biopsy, but he seemed fairly certain of this. Some might thing oh what a waste to go through all of that, but I am very thankful to have it confirmed or I know I would have worried endlessly about it. We then waited about fifteen minutes while JJ woke up. They brought us back to the recovery room and there was the nurse snuggling with little bean. She handed him over to me and I just gobbled him up. He was very drowsy and sleepy from the anesthesia and pain medicine. He roused quickly after and nursed fairly well but was still a little fussy and sleepy. After about an hour and a half of monitoring him we were able to come home. All in all it was about a 4 and a half hour day, nothing too bad at all.

 Rocky Mountain hospital is a much smaller hospital than Children's of Denver and I was very thankful for that. It breaks my heart to see the very sick kids and I know it would have made the experience even harder for me. I can not imagine what those parents and children are going through and I urge everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Anyway, we came home and spent the day relaxing with JJ and keeping up on his pain medicine of tylenol. Toward the night time I could tell his pain was getting a little too much for him so I called the hospital to ask if we could do anything else. She recommended alternating between tylenol and ibuprofen and that seemed to help him get through the night. He slept in bed with us and woke up about every hour or two to nurse, but I didn't mind.

 I feel great! I love making my silly noises and am laughing up a storm playing with big sis.

  The next day JJ seemed to be feeling a lot better. His incision was still sore and he still remained on his every four hours tylenol regiment. He also had solid foods again that day and that seemed to make him very happy. You know how much bubs likes his food! He was also down on the ground crawling all over the place! The hardest part has been keeping the incision sight clean. Of course the day after his surgery he had three...yes THREE major poops. Got everywhere. I have to clean the area with a water bottle so that of course is a job in itself. The cut is very small, about an inch long and is covered with surgical glue so hopefully it stays nice and clean and heals quickly.
 

JJ is doing great now, he is zooming all over the place and is his normal happy self as if nothing happened. His bottom is still a little sore so every once in a while I give him a dose of Tylenol if it really seems to be bothering him. We go back in two weeks and other than that this will all be behind us!

 

Wow. Lots of typing. The spell check isn't working so I apologize for any errors ;) Also, I don't have time to proof read since today is my birthday -woo hoo!- and we've got some places to be. Hopefully it all makes sense. Thanks for all the good thoughts they really helped a lot! Love to you all. If anyone has to go through anything similar feel free to ask me any questions, I'd love to help out with any advice!