Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Micah's Surgery

Today was Micah's big surgery.  First of all, lest you worry, the surgery went great and he is now recovering.  He should be discharged in a few days, and until then Shriners is taking excellent care of us.  We love Shriners!

Both of Micah's hips were out of their sockets, his femurs were tilting the wrong direction, and his pelvis was not formed properly, so he underwent a seven-hour procedure today that involved bone saws and screws and metal plates to, well, basically take him apart and put him back together again.  

As you can see from the picture below, he will be sporting a very uncomfortable-looking spica cast for awhile now.  To say that he was unhappy when he woke up would be a big, BIG understatement!  He has an epidural, and doesn't seem to be feeling much pain, but boy was he furious!  This boy loves to get down on the floor, scoot around on his bottom, and get into things!  He cannot figure out why this is happening to him, and he is very sad and grumpy this evening as he struggles to accept that no matter how much he  stares at mommy and pleads with his eyes and his quivering lower lip, she will not take the cast, or the IV, or the catheter, or any of the other tubes and wires, away and let him get down and play.  Sweet, sweet boy.  

And right up until the surgery, he was so cute and giggly and full of smiles, and SO BUSY!  He actually stood up just holding on to the bed rail, for the very first time, this morning.  Until now he would stand only if I held him under his armpits, and today he felt steady and strong enough to be comfortable holding himself up!  Oh, how bittersweet.  To take that away from him, now, when he has worked so hard and come so far.  But the truth is that without this surgery, he would have experienced a lifetime of pain.  He would have probably never been able to walk independently.  He would have never been able to stand up straight.  I am so, so sad to watch my brave little sweetheart struggle through this, but knowing that we are doing the very best thing we can for him.  Because of this surgery, there is a good chance that Micah will one day walk!  

Oh, if only he understood that now.  All he knows now is that he wants mommy to make it all stop and to take him home.  By the way, Micah is getting a chance to practice another new skill of his today, even if he is immobilized.  He has started talking!  And his first (and so far only) word (well, words, technically):  "All done."  Sounds more like "ah guh" but he says it along with the "all done" sign when his yogurt is gone or when he wants out of his wheelchair, so after wondering for a few days if we were really hearing words, versus babbling, we have determined that he is truly communicating with us!  And today he got lots of opportunities to tell me that he was all done . . . as he tried to climb out of his spica cast, as he tried to rip the IV out of his hand, as he tried to get out of bed . . . He is communicating loud and clear that he wants to be all done!


Soon, dear one.  
Soon this will all be over and you will be faster and stronger than ever before.  
Hang in there, brave boy, and soon we will be all done.


6 comments:

Cyndi said...

I well remember that surgery when our daughter had it done many years ago. The difference it makes for them makes it all worthwhile. Hang in there little guy life will get much better, some day!

Jed and Kimber said...

Poor baby and poor Mama!!! You bet we are still praying :)

Jolene said...

Soooo excited about this big step in Micah's life!

Tulsa said...

Our latest addition (he's the same age as Micah) went through a series of similar surgeries between 3 and 5 years old. He started walking at 4.5 years old. Boy was he happy! He still has issues with his spine and feet, so he can't walk straight, but he gets around just great (even too fast sometimes:)). I'm sure Micah will love walking and the new possibilities.

jabreman said...

Sending lots of love to Mr. Michah...and lots of prayers to all of you as you pass through this moment in time.

I found your blog two years (or so) ago as have followed your journey to get the boys. I recently relocated to Portland and when I saw the blog post about the statues in Beverly Cleary park I gasped. I live 10 short blocks from that park and those statues. What an honor it would have been to see you in the park and get to introduce myself and express my esteem for your family!It just proves I need to start running or walking for exercise (LOL)

Anyway, many prayers are coming your way!---Jane, a reader/momma in Portland

LT511 said...

Hi. I've been following your blog for awhile now, since your journey to bring Gideon & Micah home. I feel bad for poor Micah, hate that he has to go through that, BUT it will all be worth it in the end. His progress already is so amazing! And what a very handsome little guy he is. Love to see your story unfold. Thank you for sharing. Keeping Micah in my prayers for a smooth & speedy recovery.