I (Patricia) was called at 6:15 to let me know they were closing Shayna. The nurse estimated it would be about an hour or so until they finished closing. There's still more to do in the OR after they close but we should hear from one of her surgeons at that time. We (Michael, Melinda, and I) are waiting in the family waiting room for the first time today.
I've been trying to relax and catch up on some of my missed sleep today. I spoiled myself with french toast for breakfast (Children's Hospitals actually have decent/good food) and some Whole Food buffet for lunch/dinner, took 2-1/2 naps at my Ronald McDonald room (the building is attached to the hospital), and enjoyed chatting and joking with my folks. (I like hanging out with them because we'll do things like take the stairs down from our 11th floor Ronald McDonald room.)
It's 7pm and she's now in the PICU where they're setting up all her various connecting wires and tubes. We can see her in about 30minutes. Her surgeon Dr. Soltys just came to talk with us. The surgery went well. They ended up not needing the cataveric portal vein as her vein was only clotted off at the top. They decided not to close her (they could have closed her skin but not her muscles) since the muscles were so close to being able to be closed so there is a mesh covering over her belly opening keeping everything in. That'll get changed and cinched up every day until the organ swelling goes down enough that the abdominal wall can be fully closed. They expect to be able to do that some time in the next 5 days (this is common). In the mean time she will be fully unconcious with a breathing tube (this means I get to sleep the whole night through so she'll get a well rested mother when she wakes up). She'll be getting iv nutrients while we wait.
It feels weird. Just another hurry up and wait. There won't be a whole lot to do in the next few days for Shayna but I still want someone with her at all times. That may change as I learn more about the PICU sittuation. It's a 1:1 nurse ratio so she'll get plenty of attention. We won't be able to hold her, just sit next to her, stroke her hair, and hold her hands.
I am so so so glad for you guys that everything went well. Enjoy your night of sleep as much as possible. Let the healing begin.
ReplyDeleteYay!! Give her some love for me. -Leslie
ReplyDeleteWe are glad things are going well and keep sending all our good thoughts. Thank you so much for the updates. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteThe Lazzatis
All the best to little Shayna and I hope Nahum recovers soon completely.
ReplyDeletelots of love
Jane
Glad to hear that both Nahum and Shayna had no complications during the surgery. Please stroke Shayna's hair for Serena. Thanks to Michael for posting while you were asleep -- the blog was being followed up closely.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I am literally shedding tears of joy knowing that Nahum and Shayna have completed their surgeries. Thank you Michael for posting updates, we look forward to many more. Hugs to all of you. Kathy & Joe
ReplyDeleteYAY! Thank you for the updates. All of you are so courageous. Wishing everyone speedy recovery and healing . . .
ReplyDeleteTerrific news that things are going well -- a relief after such an involved process. Continuing to think of you & hope all goes smoothly over the final stages & recovery.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Glad to hear things have gone well. We've been thinking of all of you today and are so glad to see your positive updates.
ReplyDeleteHey, what a day. I've been very high much of it reading of what's happening...with so much gratitude for all who played parts. Enjoyed the posts, appreciate what you all went through to keep rest of us just sitting on our chairs updated. What a team we all made. Carole
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the continued updates. I am happy to hear that so far all is going well.
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy that things went well today. I hope you get some sleep, rest and start traveling the road to recovery :) We are thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear things are going well! Thinking of ya'll and continued good wishes your way. Peter
ReplyDeleteInfinite love from Sharon and Dani
ReplyDeleteWishing Nahum and Shayana a quick recovery, best wishes from all of us
ReplyDeleteShlomo, Iris, shai, Bar & Idan
I was thinking of you all day yesterday ... thank you so much for all the posts. I gather that both surgeries went as well as one can hope for. Let's hope both Shayna and Nahum will recover quickly and fully!
ReplyDeleteWarmest wishes and thoughts -
Beate and all of your friends and colleagues in Physics.
Patricia:
ReplyDeleteWhat an update! The weight and depth of all transpiring in all those hours is humbling, knowing the huge team of quality people all doing their jobs right. It must be very complicated for you to be both a bystander and such a responsible contributor. I love the image of your 11 floors walks. It is great news that the vein and the muscle closing is going well, better than expected. I am so glad you got the catch-up rest you needed. Your mad 'scientist' father is such a technical blogger. I love it. We are amazed at what is going on and share your mixed feelings about it being so anti-climatic for you as a bystander now. But you have set up a system of caregivers who are needed, and have proved their worth already in whatever there was in Nahum's post-op. It says you have the right plan. We are waiting for every new update. Love to all, Joe and Kathy.
We're sending healing vibes from Blacksburg and thinking of you all!
ReplyDeleteErika & Steve & Oz