Surgeries

July 27th, 2010 - Nathan's new teeth

At Nathan's first dental visit we found that having many minerals in our well water instead of fluoride has been very damaging to his teeth. His tender, soft baby tooth enamel has been eaten away by the junk in our water. So, after researching for a filter for our water system and starting a fluoride regimen for Nathan and Hyrum we were scheduled for surgery to take care of the mess in his mouth. The dentist was of the opinion that we shouldn't terrify a four year old with all the needles, numbness, drilling, the possibility of holding him down during the procedures or biting his tongue after it was over so dental surgery was our only option to have Nathan remember none of it.

Nathan wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight the night before so morning was a little tricky since we didn't need to be there until 9 am. Luckily he is a pretty patient kid and once the nurse gave him crayons and stickers he forgot how hungry he was and laughed with the nurse while everything was set up. His only moment of panic was when they wanted to put the oxygen mask on him and I couldn't show him how to do it first because it had the drugs in it to knock him out. They just held it up to his nose and after two breaths he was gone.

My wait always seems so long as I sit there alone. Levi had surgery at two. Derek had surgery at four. Justin's broken arm was reset when he was 10. LeRoy has had 2 back surgeries. Thank goodness it isn't more often because sitting by myself in a hospital tends to make my mind wander to all possible negative outcomes, even death, and by the time I get my family member back I'm pretty much a mushy-gushy-give-me-my-boy mess.

Nathan slept for almost an hour after they brought him back to me. He woke up long enough to ask for his lambie and blankie and was out again. Then the nurse started to show a little concern and they encouraged me to get him to wake up and I personally think it was a little too soon. He started throwing up right away and even with their best efforts of cheeriness, a popsicle and a show to watch on my Ipod it wouldn't stop so they gave him something to calm his stomach.

Finally, the meds started to wear out of his system (taking him to the bathroom in his backless mini-gown was just adorable!) and pretty soon he was making silly faces at me and responding with complete nonsense and a grin when the nurse would ask him a question.

After a ride to the truck in the sturdy red wagon (the child version of a wheelchair) he was buckled in and ready to go home. He was a little woozy for a couple of hours but recovered quickly and was proud to show his shiny new teeth.

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August 27, 2010 - LeRoy's 2nd back surgery

LeRoy had been trying to ignore the back pain that was returning only 10 months after his first back surgery but after a month of it the pain progressed rather quickly and within a matter of days it was bad enough that he left work to schedule another MRI and within 2 days he was once again in the hospital. This time with much more hope than the last time.

The doctor that did the first surgery told LeRoy that after his surgery he needed to find another profession and quit all sports. Taking his work and his sports away pretty much leaves a hollow LeRoy so the last year has been a difficult one. When the pain came again it really took a toll on him and he really seemed beat up by the circumstances.

The new doctor gave us all kinds of hope. He explained that people who have the same surgery can go back to work IF they let their bodies heal properly and are careful once they return to their normal activities. He even told LeRoy that he would be able to play sports again. I thought LeRoy might cry right there in the doctor's office.

The second surgery went smooth but the recovery was much more difficult than the first one. During the first night home it got to a point that LeRoy was crying (I have never seen LeRoy cry from pain, not even when he cut his thumb and had to have 30 stitches in it) and I finally called the doctor at 3 am. He told us what to try and by about 5:30 we were able to get some sleep. The next 2 weeks were a roller coaster of great hope due to how well he felt and great frustration at how quickly it would change to pain. Within 4 weeks we was feeling much better, even better than he ever had after the first surgery, and soon he was heading back out to work. This time around was very good about wearing his brace, bossing the guys around instead of doing it himself and he followed all the instructions from the doctor. The possiblity of doing what he loves for a living and playing sports again in his future was a great motivator.

December 29, 2010 - Now we are in the middle of winter and though his back has been feeling great, he has fallen on the ice twice in the last 4 weeks and has pulled a muscle in his back. It is very encouraging that he doesn't feel the pain in his backbone or down his legs or in the surgical area but frustrating because he was doing so well and is back in his chair again instead of at work where he wants to be. It is very hard to watch someone in pain and not be able to do anything about it. I guess this is how I can experience the other side of labor . . . only we don't get another baby when LeRoy's pains go away.