Surgery Complete!

In less than 24 hours we went to New Jersey, had the surgery, and we were back home this afternoon! Everything went great, Lucas charmed all the nurses, as expected. He had to tell everyone "hi," and "good morning", and his newest thing... telling everyone "happy birthday." It was strange being in an OR with adult patients (since we're always at Children's), he was the only little tike in the recovery room, so we heard "awwww, he's so cute!" all morning.

Even though this is the 14th time he's been put under, it never gets easier taking your baby to the OR and watching them put a mask over his face to put him under. Watching him fight and whimper during the process is so hard, I walk out crying every time. But it was quickly over in one hour, and our little man was back.

The most amazing thing about this surgery, is the results we already see! When we were called back to Recovery, Dr. Nuzzo pulled back the blanket and showed us the leg braces Lucas will be in for the next 24 hours and while he sleeps over the next week. At first I thought his legs looked different because of the braces, but then the doctor said, "look how wide his legs are apart." WOW!!! We have never-ever seen this on Lucas. The spasticity in his hips keeps his legs constantly drawn together or crisscrossed, or when he sleeps, his legs draw up to his chest (like the fetal position). It was seriously like I was looking at another child's legs.

When he was ready to sit up, it was another surprise, as he sat up leaving the legs laying on the bed, wide, and straight. He sat in a 90 degree angle, not with his legs drawn up! Again... nothing we've ever seen before! He has never been able to sit with his legs straight or the back of the knee touching the floor while being upright. It may be a little different when the braces come off, but he is definitely sitting differently! **Take a look at the way he is sitting below, then scroll down to the last update with him in the tub. In the tub, his legs are as straight as they will go, and the legs are in a very typical position--close together (they couldn't get any further apart in the seated position a week ago). Pretty amazing.

I saw the doctor again just before leaving when Lucas was dressed and commented again on how strange it was to see his legs like that. Dr. Nuzzo said "and that's him in his natural relaxed state... its the alcohol block I put in acting immediately."

The ride home didn't go as smoothly as the fun he had in the recovery room, as the pain meds wore off and we had to wait about a half hour for the next dose. His crying broke my heart, but he bounced back slowly after he got another dose. We did a lot of singing in the car! He went immediately to sleep when we got home for several hours. He was only up for about an hour tonight before wanting to go right back to sleep. Along with pain medication, they sent us home with Valium every 6 hours to keep his muscles from spasms.

Here's hoping that tomorrow brings a much perkier little boy and less pain. I'm so excited about what comes next!!!

Right after surgery, look how tall he is sitting up!

Legs wide apart in natural sitting!
He has to wear the braces while he sleeps for about a week.

Dressed and ready to go home! I think he's giving Dad a "cheese" here.

Here's a cute video of him after surgery riding from the recovery room to the discharge room. He grabbed onto the side and loved the ride! When the nurse parked him into his new room, he yelled, "More!"