Update from home

SO glad to be here!  So glad. :)

Athan is really doing well.  His anxiety level is 1000 times better here at home.  Even when his pain level was low, his stress was high at the hospital around the clock.  That's the best reason for getting out of there:  Lower anxiety means better healing, always. :)  Athan is so much more himself.

Things aren't quite "normal" of course, and won't be for weeks.  There's the incision site where they did the surgery, and a small one just below it from the drain tube.  Stitches and itches.  Athan will forget about it for a while, but when he remembers, he still cries and asks me to take him to see the doctor so they can take it all off.  His follow-up appointment is in two weeks (ON his birthday, actually), so until then - wound care.

Also, in addition to his normal meds, he is on Lasix to help him keep reducing the fluid buildup from surgery.  For one, it tastes horrible!  Also, it's tough to keep him well-hydrated and not constipated.  It also makes him have to pee all the time.  During the day, it's just annoying to him.  At night, it means waking up a couple times with a flooded pull-up, and wet PJs and sheets.  Boo.  Ryan and I are taking turns sleeping in his room, in case he wakes up and needs help.  Last night was my shift, and he was on his third set of PJs at 3 a.m.  Then he was so awake after the last change, he couldn't get back to sleep.  He said he was hungry, so we had cereal at about 4 this morning. :) 

I think I'll go in search of a better nighttime solution today.

 

His pain is...  well, I'm blown away by how little he has complained.  He had just two doses of regular Tylenol yesterday, and none so far today.  I've heard not a peep about pain today.  Less than a week from surgery, and he's almost off of pain meds altogether.  Whoa.

One of the bright spots about being home is NO MORE hospital food.  Yay! :)  In fact, our sweet friends here are bringing meals so we don't have to cook alot.  MANY thanks to Mac and Evelyn for yummy grilled chicken, and to Judd and Allison - Athan LOVED the spaghetti, and his Mama loved the fruit salad.  

Alright...  laundry.  Here I go...