Akron Childrens Hospital

Lucas' first surgery: July 29, 2010 (day he turned 7 mths)

Beginning of June I had noticed my little guy had some swelling and rash...I thought it was just diaper rash so I kept plastering on rash cream. This went on for about a week, so I decided I better call his dr. When she saw him, he was only swelled a little, but she did notice he had a rash that needed prescription cream, gave us a prescription and sent us home. I applied that on him for about a week and he continued to have more swelling and became very fussy. So I had to make another trip to the drs office, but of course it wouldn't swell up while we were there and he seemed to be the happiest like thing. Since it lasted that long and what I was explaining to her, she reffered us to surgeons up at Akron Childrens Hospital for a possible hernia. 

It was two weeks til we could get in to see the dr for an inital visit, but as long as the swelling didn't stay or he became worse two weeks was fine. I could not wait til that 2 wks were up. Between the sleepless nights, fussy 6 mth old, my mind wondering if he will have surgery, and a two year old that was getting jealous that his brother was getting more attention. 

We went to see Dr. McCollum at Akron Childrens, he was amazing. Everyone there was so nice and they made sure we understood everything. He checked Lucas out and said that he was sure he had a hernia in the left side by what we were saying. Explained that he would have surgery and what all they do. Told us while they are in there they will check the other side as well, just to make sure. Small percentage have them on both sides. He explained where the hernia is and the swelling was caused by pressure on the stomache, like crying and sitting. Told us what to expect and he would be doing it in 2 weeks. Tried to reassure me that Lucas will be fine, this is his most common surgery, and they will take good care of him, but of course I'm a mom and I worry. 

Finally that Thursday had arrived for his surgery. We had to be at the hospital by 7 am. I was trying to be strong for Lucas, didn't want him to see me upset and get him worked up. The nurses really made you feel comfortable and safe there. I first had to sign papers and he got his name bracelet on his ankle (which he kept playing with). They then sent me to this little room to change him into a white shirt and booties. Then we went back to the waiting room. Another nurse came to take his blood, and he did wonderful, never cried or anything. Then back out to the waiting room. Then we went to another room and they took his weight and history and we had to watch a small video about the anesthesia doctors. Then back to the waiting room. We kept moving so this kind of helped keep me busy and I wasn't thinking about what was going on. Then a nurse came out and had a box of stuff. She was showing Lucas what he was going to see like the hats and brought out the mask (not sure what that is called) that the sleeping stuff would come through. He was enjoying chewing on it while she kept explaining things. 

He had no idea what was about to happen.

Time we left our house for the hospital.

My coffee :)

We have arrived!

It was almost 9:00 (his apt time) and they called us back to the preop room. Here a nurse came in just to make sure there were no last minute questions and took some more information. An anesthesia dr came in to introduce herself and explain what she would be doing. They put him to sleep with the mask first, after he was out they did the IV and they also did a block (kind of like an epidural) and that was all the pain medication he would need. Soon to follow Dr. McCollum came in to see us to explain the surgery again and make sure we had no questions. As soon as he left the nurse came to get my baby boy. Hardest thing I've had to do since being a mom. Even knowing it was his most common surgery and all the nurses/doctors specialize in babies and kids, its still very hard to let your little ones go with people you don't know and going through surgery. I had to keep thinking of other things or I would have never quit crying til he was in my arms again. We said our see you real soons (no goodbyes!) and kisses and he was off. We then went to another waiting room until the surgery was over.

Doctor had told us it takes about half hr each side, so we were looking at a half hr to an hour. It wasn't even 45 minutes later and out came Dr. McCollum. Said Lucas did wonderful! He did have a hernia on both sides, but was able to repair them. Explained what he did, the incisions (3 of them) and how to take care of them for the next few days. Made sure we had no other questions and said he was in the recovery rm where they would monitor him for a little, but we could go back in 15 or 30 minutes (can't remember the exact amt of time). The dr didn't even get back to the door and they called us to go see him :) I was so excited!! Of course I cried (again) when I saw him. He was fussing somewhat, and the nurse told me he wants his mama! She gave me a bottle with some pedialyte and said don't be surprised if he spits some of it up but he can have as much as he wants. I think it was about 5 oz and he ate it in no time then was back to sleep. It was so hard seeing him so drowsy and hooked up to IVs and different heart monitors and wrapped in tons of blankets. I just held him in my arms rocking him. (I didn't get any pictures of the IV in his arm)

We were in there maybe 30 minutes and they sent us to the final recovery room. They took the IVs out and said we just needed to wait there a little longer to make sure he was ok before sending us home. Not long after nurse came in and we signed the papers and said we were good to go. No restrictions too much for him, tylenol as needed for pain, sponge bathe for 3 days, as the cuts healed the strips would fall off, and to follow up in a few weeks with the dr. So I got him dressed which finally woke him up. Never know he just had surgery, happiest little guy. Kept smiling great big at Joe and I. We were on the interstate a little after 11. It went so fast, which I was very relieved! That evening Lucas was already a different baby. He was much happier than he had been. I was amazed at how much he didn't realize he just went through surgery not even 12 hrs ago. Such a good age to have it if he was going to get hernias.

I wasn't letting go of him ;)

This is after changing him to go...all smiles.

Time we left the hospital.

His 3 incisions. It was a little difficult to get a picture of these due to where they are located.

They gave us a quilt.

So we saw this sign in Canton on our way home...thought it was kind of funny.

Could definitely tell the hernias had to of been bothering him, because he was sleeping again and just so much happier (although he usually was smiles when he had them). In the next couple weeks the strips fell off, you could barely see the cuts, so small. We went back for a follow up 3 wks after surgery and he said they looked good. Told us again that there is a very VERY small chance that the hernias will come back but if they do just give them a call.

In the waiting room of doctors office.

I have to say Akron Childrens was a wonderful hospital! I will definitely recommend them and Dr. McCollum to anyone! (Thanks to Aaron and Diana for referring us to him!) They are amazing up there. Never once was I worred that they didn't know what they were doing. We knew exactly what was going on at all times.

Thank you mamaw & papa for watching Keldan. Thank you grammie for coming to the hospital. Meant a lot to us both!!

Thanks to everyone's prayers!! God helped keep my mind at ease and was with Lucas the whole time!! Love you all.