Along for the Ride

All that worry and Zane has done remarkably well with his post-surgery recovery. Unfortunately, a nasty virus hitchhiked a ride home with Zane, and he passed it along to his brother. I will spare everyone the gruesome details that have occurred in our household over the past two nights. Needless to say, I am in dire need of some sleep, and midnight cleanup truly is not fun. This is the third trip to Denver where Zane picked up a stomach virus.

We still need to have some labs done to figure out what may be going on with Zane’s GI issues. The new formula seemed to make things worse, so I put Zane back on the soy. While he is still doing the whole gagging thing, he seems a little better again. We’ll see.

Now that the surgery is behind us and the illness is nearly out the door, we are hoping to recover some semblance of a schedule again.

We're Home

Yes! We’re home. Zane was discharged late yesterday afternoon after he proved (in true Zane superhero fashion) that he was emptying his bladder okay (check), that his pain was under control (check), and that he tolerated his feeds (check). We’ve managed to do pain management without narcotics, though we do have Tylenol with codeine on hand just in case. Zane was a real trooper on the ride back, as well.

We are so very grateful to the volunteers at the downtown Denver Ronald McDonald House. They were awesome! We also appreciate the doctors, nurses, and staff at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. They rock! Even though everyone made our experience easy and memorable, we are grateful to be home.

Morning Update

Zane had a good night last night. His oxygen saturation levels stayed in the upper 90s. The nurse alternated between an oral dose of Tylenol and IV pain medication. Zane did not need narcotics through the night. However--according to his anesthesiologist--Zane no longer has an issue with morphine or other narcotics. Back in 2007, he apparently experienced obstructive apnea from suppressed respiration after given morphine--something that is no longer an issue for him. Four years ago, he had episodes of central apnea, as well, which probably contributed to his desatting.

This morning the nurse pulled his catheter, and the doctor should be by the see him later this morning. I am incredibly impressed by Zane's urologist and with our experience at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. I am most impressed by our little guy who has been such an incredible trooper given everything he goes through.

Naturally, we are relieved that Zane no longer has to worry about airway obstruction during anesthesia, and we are so happy he has done so well through and after the surgery.

Thanks to everyone who offered words of encouragement and support here on the blog, on Facebook, and through phone calls & text messages.

Surgery Complete

The surgeon and anesthesiologist just gave us word that surgery is complete and all seems well. Zane is now in recovery, coming out of the anesthesia. Not sure how the pain management will go; they did give him a whiff of morphine. He will be catheterized overnight. We're hoping he doesn't yank it out since he really loves to tug on tubing.

Since updates from the iPad are a little challenging, I will post more later.

Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers.

Colorado Avalanche Game

The Ronald McDonald House gave us complimentary tickets to last night’s Avalanche game. They are so wonderful here! We shared a suite with another family who is staying at the House. It was so great, but a late night for the boys—especially Zane who spent the whole time trying to fall asleep in my arms.

We didn’t make it to the museum today since the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon is happening downtown. Also, Zane needs to catch up on his sleep before surgery tomorrow. I think I do, too.

Denver, Take Two

We made it to Denver on Thursday night after a very slooooow ride over Wolf Creek Pass. Throughout the whole ride out of town, we seemed to be chased by an incoming winter storm. We thought we were ahead of it until we climbed the pass at 10 mph, following vehicles ill-prepared for mountain travel in the snow. Wheels spun, trucks pulled roadside, and two-wheel-drive cars crept. But once we arrived on the other side, the weather cleared, and it was smooth sailing to Denver.

Yesterday, Zane had his appointment with the pediatric gastroenterologist. She was very thorough, questioning us about each and every aspect related to his feedings and issues associated with his stomach. When we return to town, Zane will have the same tests Justin had for his stomach issues: blood and stool samples to check for celiac and bacteria. If his labs come back normal, he will—unfortunately—have to be anesthetized again and have an endoscopy here in Denver. The doctor did state that Zane’s stomach issues may be resolved after he has his ureteral reimplantation surgery on Monday. Sometimes, children experience GI problems with kidney reflux, which I had not known.

We had planned to go to the zoo this weekend, but the weather has trumped us again. It is cold and rainy with snow in the outlying areas. Not an ideal scenario for visiting animals at the zoo. Instead, we will go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The only one who has been sleeping well since we’ve been here is Justin. Zane has had some wakeful nights. We are certain it is stomach discomfort, which hopefully will be resolved in time. For so many reasons, I will be happy to return to the Durango area: sleep, recovery, and being in a place where people accept Zane as he is. I cannot BELIEVE how many people blatantly stare at him as if they have never seen a disabled child before. We simply do not get those gawking looks in Durango and Bayfield. Those who stare won't even lift their eyes briefly to see how piercing my own glare is toward them. Come on people! I understand curiosity, but don't be rude, all right?

Surgery is still set for Monday morning.

Hitting the Road

Tomorrow we’re heading to Denver, trying to avoid the incoming snow storms—the first of the season. We’re traveling earlier than anticipated because we have a Friday appointment with a GI specialist to address Zane’s vomiting/gagging issues, which returned since the formula change. Zane’s osteopath is attempting to work on the problem, as well. But the issue has been going on for months, so this is the natural next step. Hopefully, we’ll get this resolved so he can eat without episode.

Surgery is scheduled for Monday at 9:45. I will be sure to keep Zane’s blog updated. Thank you all for visiting and for the ongoing thoughts and prayers.