 |
| Benjamin just before surgery - Boston Children's Hospital |
Well we made it and I do mean we, me, My husband, and Benjamin! As those who have been through craniosynostosis surgery say, we're on the other side.
Our day officially started at 3 AM, I fed Benjamin as required no later than four hours prior to surgery. He nursed for about twenty minutes and fell right back to sleep so I was pretty thrilled with that. I left him in his pajamas so he wouldn't get cold when I changed him and wake up more. All worked out really well as he slept the hour and a half drive to Boston Children's Hospital. We had to check in promptly at 6 AM. We went up to the third floor to surgery and received instructions on how the nurse liaisons work.
At check in, they confirmed Benjamin's name, our names, his date of birth, and took both of our cell phone number as they will provide updates every 90 minutes. We then had a seat in the waiting room for about a half hour. We were then called in to admitting. My mother came along with us to provide entertainment while waiting but she wasn't allowed in the admitting or recovery area. While in admitting they took Benjamin's vital signs, health history, list of any medications, last feeding, etc. he was put into his Johnny and wrapped in warm blankets and then we waited just a few short minutes. The anesthesiologist "fellow" came around to explain the procedure, review last feedings again, and check vital. Then "the team" came. We spoke with Dr. Proctor about exactly what he was going to do, the risk, and our next steps. The surgery would take ninety minutes to an hour and a half and he would provide updates to the nurse liaison. The surgery, endoscopic, involves cutting an incision the size of an adult mans pointer finger and the bone would be shaved and removed. He would then receive stitches which would dissolve in three to four weeks. We also met his nurse who would be assisting Dr. Proctor with the surgery Lenny (very nice, soft spoken, soothing!) and he lingered to make sure we didn't have any other questions or concerns.
After that we met the head anesthesiologist, she reviewed again what her "fellow" said and again calmed any fears we had. She offered us to come into the room as they put him asleep but reminded us at this age there really isn't any point. We declined because it would make starting the surgery harder. We trust/trusted the doctors, medicine, and science. Dr. Proctor then gave the word and I had to hand over my baby to the anesthesiologist. I honestly didn't think it would be as hard as it was. It reminded me of bungee jumping, everything in my body told me not to do it and I had to force myself to give them Benjamin.
And just like that, they were off. We were lead back to the waiting room for the two hours. To kill the majority of the time we went to the cafeteria for breakfast because by 7:45 AM we were famished! It definitely killed about an hour which really made it bearable. We then when back to the surgery waiting area and I pumped.
There are two location rooms set up for nursing mothers. They provide a hospital grade Medela pump, the cords, and bottles. No flanges though, which I thought was important to note. You had an endless supply of bottles and stickers. Around the corner there is also a vending machine that sold flanges, location cookies, mothers milk tea, pump parts, etc (I believe all but the food products were Medela too). I had brought my own pump but a hospital one is way more efficient. I did not need to leave my milk since we were staying over but they have an exclusive fridge and freezer for breast milk.
As soon as I was done pumping, it had been an hour and forty-five minutes. I checked in with the nurse liaison and she called in for an update. The nurse in surgery told her they had just finished up and Benjamin would be in recovery shortly. The nurse liaison instructed us to wait in one of the consult rooms for Doctor Proctor. I quickly gathered my husband and mother and off we went to wait (by the way there are multiple waiting rooms, some with tables, some with no food/drink allowed, one with the location room, and way in the back with comfortable couches and arm chairs as well as cookies and coffee). We waited about ten minutes but no sign of him. The liaison nurse stopped by after seeing my mother pacing in the hallway and called in to surgery. Dr. Proctor is very through and waits for his patients to come too and check their vitals personally before he leaves. That was very reassuring to us.
A few more minutes passed and he came out. Told us it went wonderfully, no issues, explained again the surgery, how much bone they took out (the length and thickness of an adult males pointer finger). Also explained wound care, dissolvable stitches, and finally the helmet.
Benjamin's bandage would fall off on its own but until then his head must stay very clean and dry. No baths, no soaking. Then the stitches would dissolve in three to four weeks. We would have follow ups with Dr. Proctor every two to three months for progress on head shaping and any other issues that would pop up along the way!
Benjamin would definitely have a helmet and Dr. Proctor had made his appointment for us, Thursday at 1 PM. He would be custom fitted and then receive the helmet on Tuesday. The care and instructions would be given then.
He also told us while in surgery Benjamin received Morphine and Fentinol for pain but for going home and over night he would only need tylenol! This amazes me as I'm certain any grown person would be horribly cranky (not that I'd blame them one bit as it is skull and brain surgery!).
That was it, we were then instructed to wait that they'd come get us when Benjamin was moved from surgery to recovery.
We waited about another fifteen minutes and we were finally invited into recovery. Recovery is the same exact room as pre-surgery and the same rules apply, Parents/Guardians only until the child is moved to a room.
In recovery we were able to see Benjamin! We couldn't hold him yet as he was monitored like crazy and pain levels were assessed. It didn't matter he was sleeping and we didn't dare wake him! We were given another update on surgery, he had no affects from the anesthesia, they are giving him tylenol for the pain, and they cut his hair! I was sad but hair grows back so I shouldn't care too much. The nice thing is they did save it for us for his baby book.
Prior to being rolled out to recovery they fed him some sugar water since he woke up very angry. This was important to note as I wasn't able to feed him for another two hours while we waited for a room/bed.
About forty-five minutes to an hour later we were shown to our room in Mandell 3 - Door 3 (floor 3). This is considered short term stay and is literally connected to recovery (just follow the flip-flops). Benjamin's assigned nurses came out, introduced themselves and then took Benjamin away to his room with us following.
**Okay, I'm about to pass out myself. I will post Part II tomorrow!
 |
| Waiting to start the big show - Boston Children's Hospital |
At check in, they confirmed Benjamin's name, our names, his date of birth, and took both of our cell phone number as they will provide updates every 90 minutes. We then had a seat in the waiting room for about a half hour. We were then called in to admitting. My mother came along with us to provide entertainment while waiting but she wasn't allowed in the admitting or recovery area. While in admitting they took Benjamin's vital signs, health history, list of any medications, last feeding, etc. he was put into his Johnny and wrapped in warm blankets and then we waited just a few short minutes. The anesthesiologist "fellow" came around to explain the procedure, review last feedings again, and check vital. Then "the team" came. We spoke with Dr. Proctor about exactly what he was going to do, the risk, and our next steps. The surgery would take ninety minutes to an hour and a half and he would provide updates to the nurse liaison. The surgery, endoscopic, involves cutting an incision the size of an adult mans pointer finger and the bone would be shaved and removed. He would then receive stitches which would dissolve in three to four weeks. We also met his nurse who would be assisting Dr. Proctor with the surgery Lenny (very nice, soft spoken, soothing!) and he lingered to make sure we didn't have any other questions or concerns.
 |
| Waiting to go into surgery - Boston Children's Hospital |
After that we met the head anesthesiologist, she reviewed again what her "fellow" said and again calmed any fears we had. She offered us to come into the room as they put him asleep but reminded us at this age there really isn't any point. We declined because it would make starting the surgery harder. We trust/trusted the doctors, medicine, and science. Dr. Proctor then gave the word and I had to hand over my baby to the anesthesiologist. I honestly didn't think it would be as hard as it was. It reminded me of bungee jumping, everything in my body told me not to do it and I had to force myself to give them Benjamin.
And just like that, they were off. We were lead back to the waiting room for the two hours. To kill the majority of the time we went to the cafeteria for breakfast because by 7:45 AM we were famished! It definitely killed about an hour which really made it bearable. We then when back to the surgery waiting area and I pumped.
There are two location rooms set up for nursing mothers. They provide a hospital grade Medela pump, the cords, and bottles. No flanges though, which I thought was important to note. You had an endless supply of bottles and stickers. Around the corner there is also a vending machine that sold flanges, location cookies, mothers milk tea, pump parts, etc (I believe all but the food products were Medela too). I had brought my own pump but a hospital one is way more efficient. I did not need to leave my milk since we were staying over but they have an exclusive fridge and freezer for breast milk.
As soon as I was done pumping, it had been an hour and forty-five minutes. I checked in with the nurse liaison and she called in for an update. The nurse in surgery told her they had just finished up and Benjamin would be in recovery shortly. The nurse liaison instructed us to wait in one of the consult rooms for Doctor Proctor. I quickly gathered my husband and mother and off we went to wait (by the way there are multiple waiting rooms, some with tables, some with no food/drink allowed, one with the location room, and way in the back with comfortable couches and arm chairs as well as cookies and coffee). We waited about ten minutes but no sign of him. The liaison nurse stopped by after seeing my mother pacing in the hallway and called in to surgery. Dr. Proctor is very through and waits for his patients to come too and check their vitals personally before he leaves. That was very reassuring to us.
A few more minutes passed and he came out. Told us it went wonderfully, no issues, explained again the surgery, how much bone they took out (the length and thickness of an adult males pointer finger). Also explained wound care, dissolvable stitches, and finally the helmet.
Benjamin's bandage would fall off on its own but until then his head must stay very clean and dry. No baths, no soaking. Then the stitches would dissolve in three to four weeks. We would have follow ups with Dr. Proctor every two to three months for progress on head shaping and any other issues that would pop up along the way!
Benjamin would definitely have a helmet and Dr. Proctor had made his appointment for us, Thursday at 1 PM. He would be custom fitted and then receive the helmet on Tuesday. The care and instructions would be given then.
He also told us while in surgery Benjamin received Morphine and Fentinol for pain but for going home and over night he would only need tylenol! This amazes me as I'm certain any grown person would be horribly cranky (not that I'd blame them one bit as it is skull and brain surgery!).
That was it, we were then instructed to wait that they'd come get us when Benjamin was moved from surgery to recovery.
We waited about another fifteen minutes and we were finally invited into recovery. Recovery is the same exact room as pre-surgery and the same rules apply, Parents/Guardians only until the child is moved to a room.
 |
| Just rolled into recovery - Boston Children's Hospital |
 |
| Thrilled he doesn't look mugged! - Me with Benjamin at Boston Children's Hospital |
 |
| Waiting in recovery - Boston Children's Hospital |
In recovery we were able to see Benjamin! We couldn't hold him yet as he was monitored like crazy and pain levels were assessed. It didn't matter he was sleeping and we didn't dare wake him! We were given another update on surgery, he had no affects from the anesthesia, they are giving him tylenol for the pain, and they cut his hair! I was sad but hair grows back so I shouldn't care too much. The nice thing is they did save it for us for his baby book.
 |
| Benjamin's first haircut - by a Neurosurgeon! |
Prior to being rolled out to recovery they fed him some sugar water since he woke up very angry. This was important to note as I wasn't able to feed him for another two hours while we waited for a room/bed.
About forty-five minutes to an hour later we were shown to our room in Mandell 3 - Door 3 (floor 3). This is considered short term stay and is literally connected to recovery (just follow the flip-flops). Benjamin's assigned nurses came out, introduced themselves and then took Benjamin away to his room with us following.
 |
| Benjamin, badly swollen |
**Okay, I'm about to pass out myself. I will post Part II tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment