Last night we got a little more sleep. It wasn’t enough, but we take what we can get at this point. Sleep was interrupted at about 1:30 when Jude’s IV came out of the vein, dumping fluids into his tissue and causing his hand to swell. That meant he needed it removed and a new one put in, which went into his foot. No one likes needles, but they are especially difficult for little boys. To make things worse, that one came out in the morning when the nurse was putting a new pull-up diaper on him, meaning he’d need another put in – this time in the other arm. Following that with lab draws made for a rough morning for little Jude.
As for the big moment, which came with extraordinary anxiety, Jude got to ride down to pre-op in a little red wagon. He seemed unaware of what he was in for, a true blessing for him. All that was on his mind was food!
Pre-op was relatively quick. There was enough time for Pastor Carl from church to come in and talk a little, as well as pray for a successful surgery. A few different doctors and nurses came in for one last rundown and reassurance before Jude got some “happy juice” to make him feel better. It was a mild sedative, but it nearly knocked him out.
The anesthetist brought Jessica a gown so that she could accompany Jude into the room where he’d be put to sleep. They left us to wait for a few minutes before walking us through the tunnel over to Abbott where the operation was conducted.
We settled in, it was about 8:00. We expected it to be about 2:00 or later before we’d get word that it was finished. We also expected to be updated about every half hour. The first call came in around 9:15, that they were just a few minutes into the surgery and everything was going well so far. The next call came in around 10:45, a bit later than we expected. The surgery was finished, everything went well, and they were going to do another MRI to make sure they got everything. This was very unexpected, but welcome news. At around noon the surgeon came in and let us know that everything was finished, and it all went well, they removed everything. He didn’t have much else to say, he’s a man of few words. We were shocked, but in a good way!
It was about 1:30 when we were able to see Jude again. He was still sleeping, but coming to. It seemed quick, he was awake and talking in no time. Even the nurse and doctor were surprised, Jude was doing very well. Within an hour he was watching Astro Boy and complaining that he was thirsty. He wanted ice water. As I write this he is watching Astro Boy again and still complaining that he’s thirsty. The doctor wants his sodium levels to remain high, which causes him to be thirsty. They are letting him have some Gatorade, but it doesn’t quench his thirst.
It has been a long day, but very much a good day. Jude’s tumor is gone, and he’s as much back to normal as he can be, ask things considered.
We don’t know much more about the nature of his tumor, and won’t until pathology examines it, but we couldn’t have asked for a better day, or better results from the surgery.
We close the day very much praising our Lord, and thanking Him for such a wonderful answer to prayer!
We also thank everyone who had been praying, it has been overwhelming and heartwarming!
The battle isn’t yet over though. Depending on the pathology report, more treatment may still be necessary. It is still possible that he will need chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or both. We ate still optimistic and praying that nothing else will be needed, but have to keep in mind that disappointment may still lie ahead.
This Thanksgiving, there is so much to be thankful for!
Again, thanks so much for all of the prayer and support. Not only friends and family, but strangers as well have sent kind words, well-wishes, and prayers our way, and it means the world to us!