Procedures went smoothly

Ethan woke up in great spirits today. Around 10 a.m. I told him about the procedures he was going to be having, and he naturally became a bit sad and reluctant. We were scheduled for 11:00 am, but didn’t go to the Treatment Room until 11:50 am. Ethan thought it would be like the OR, and I would have to leave him, “Mommy, I don’t want you to go”. After learning that I could stay, we sat on the bed together, watching Dora the Explorer, while they began to administer the first sedation meds. His Clinical Assitant and his Nurse were both there, so he had other familiar, comforting people with him. That made it easier too. I held him, with his head on my chest, until he was fully “conciously sedated”, and then laid him down on the bed.

I had no clue what concious sedation was prior to this. But he was truly “out of it”, but awake at the same time. The anesthesiologist was great, in that she knew when to administer more meds to keep him comfortable. He never fought back or cried. He whimpered slightly at one point, but was comforted easily.

The gum biospy was first, and proved to be a bit on the bloody side. His gums are so swollen, and his platelets just over the threshold allowed for surgery. After she put a sutcher in, the bleeding became controlled.

The bone marrow procedures were something else to watch. They man handle, in a gentle way, this small fragile child…my small fragile child…and screw this hollow tube into his bone. They tried to suck out the bone marrow, but got nothing at first, so she screwed it in even further. It was amazing to watch, and even more amazing to know he wasn’t hurting a bit.

When it was all done, he came to within a few minutes. The only thing that bothered him was the gauze in his mouth from the gum biopsy. We returned to our room, and he settled down, asking for some warm blankets…his favorite. Then his prize arrived, for doing such a great job in the treatment room, he was given a Webkinz. This thrilled him, and he was such a happy guy for the rest of the day. He did not nap today, which I thought was odd, as he has been napping every other day. And I so needed a nap today. While I appear calm, and can watch procedures like today’s without any problem, I think I internally stress myself out with anxiety. I was so glad to have it over, and see he was okay.

Now he sleeps, after many Webkinz games, crafts, puzzles, movies, video games…what a day…And I too, will sleep well, now that I’ve had my 4 Tums, 2 Pepto-Bismo tablets, and tea. Goodnight my little superhero…