Thanks for the prayers, well-wishes, and thoughts for Hunter. His surgery went really well. We arrived at Children's Hospital just a few minutes after 6 a.m. and found our way to the 6th floor, Same Day Surgery. There were a few people there before us, but it was relatively quiet at this hour. We got Hunter checked in. The front desk had small windows surrounding it that were lit and held a bunch of blocks. Hunter absolutely loved looking at the blocks and was in great spirits.
After we got him checked in, we waited a few minutes in the lobby where there was a large aquarium and several toys that Hunter enjoyed. He kept saying "fishes, fishes, fishes!" It was really cute. At least Hunter wasn't nervous. I was nervous enough for both of us! The hospital gave us a DVD to watch called, "Amanda's surgery adventure" a few days before, and I had talked with Hunter about his procedure and shown him the DVD. I am not sure how much he comprehended, but I am glad I showed it to him. At least he had seen the rooms and the tools that were to be used on him before. It helped me to know what to expect!
Very soon we were called back into room 36 where Hunter's temperature, blood pressure, height and weight were all recorded. We went over his history briefly with the nurse and she was very helpful in answering any questions we had. Then an anesthesiologist nurse came in and went over Hunter's history more in depth. She showed Hunter the mask and then took him for a walk down the hall to see how he would do being separated from us. He was his normal, social, happy-self as he met all the nurses down the hall. Our nurse was pleased to see how well he did and said she wasn't worried about him. After that, Hunter's surgical nurse came in and brought Hunter several stickers and started to get to know him a little. We put a sticker of "Mr. Incredible" from The Incredibles on Hunter's pjs. He really loves stickers.
His surgical nurse and one other nurse then carried Hunter down the hall and into his surgery room. Hunter very happily went with them as Josh & I watched with fear. We were left alone in the room and both of us did not like thinking about Hunter going under the anesthesia. We prayed together and talked and tried to not let our fears get the best of us. In about 15 or 20 minutes, the doctor came in saying everything went really well. He said Hunter had fluid behind both ears that quickly came out after the procedure. He told us to wait for the phone in our room to ring and at that point they would tell us where Hunter's recovery room was. Very quickly after that we were called and we went to room 14 where Hunter was just waking up.
He was limp and angry when I picked him up. I was so happy to see him and hold him! Very shortly he started asking for apple juice again. He drank a full cup and asked for more, then the nurse gave him graham crackers. He was in sugar heaven! :) We only had to wait here for about 30 minutes to make sure Hunter recovered well and then we were able to go home! He was still fussy but loved being cuddled. When we got home, we borrowed the movie The Incredibles from our neighbors and we all cuddled on the couch for a little while. Before the movie was even over Hunter was feeling back to himself.
The process really was amazing. Children's Hospital is so well organized and intentional in how the treated us and Hunter. We are really hopeful that these ear tubes will help him to feel better and not get sick as often!!
The next day, we took Hunter to Bass Pro Shops to look at their giant aquarium. He loved that. When we got home, we were greeted with a beautiful cookie bouquet from Hunter's Great Aunt Pam & Uncle Don and their kids' families. What a fun treat! He LOVES cookies (thanks to his PaPaw Glen!).
