Here's..........Caden!

So I have definitely not been keeping up with the blog as much as I would like to, but, as most of you know, we are a tad busy over here! I am happy to report that Caden made it through his surgery very well, and is recovering nicely considering all that he has gone through. Chad and I on the other hand are pretty darn exhausted!

As you can see our little guy has changed a lot. I have to admit; I had some mixed emotions when I first saw him after his surgery. Let me back up a bit though and give you all the run down. Chad, Caden and I had to go to CHLA on Monday morning by 9:00a.m. for a pre-op appointment. It was supposed to last about and hour to an hour and a half, but we ended up being there for nearly four hours. Then we had to race back to Fullerton because I had parent/teacher conferences at the girls' school. After that, Chad, Caden and I drove back to L.A. to spend the night at a hotel near the hospital because we had to check into the hospital at 5:30a.m. That night before the surgery Caden started coughing more than usual. I started to worry that he may have a cold, and then I started to freak out that after all the pre-op craziness and tests that maybe he would not be able to have the surgery. The next morning when we got to the hospital we told the nurse practitioner that was examining him that he was coughing more than usual the night before and we were wondering if this could affect the surgery. After speaking with the anesthesiologist and the surgeons it was agreed that we would go ahead and begin the first part of his procedure which was a bronchoscopy by the ENT and she would determine if his airway looked clear and healthy enough to proceed with the rest of his operation. The fear was that if he had a cold brewing it would make matters worse to have him intubated for the surgery because the intubation irritates the airway and that irritation in combination with a cold would put him at risk for developing pneumonia. We went ahead and said our good-bye's and waited anxiously to hear if they were going to go ahead with the lip and nasal reconstruction. We were praying all would look fine because it took so much effort on every one's part to get to this place. Getting everything lined up was not easy, plus making sure the girls were taken care of. Well, about 30 minutes later the anesthesiologist came out to report that all looked well and they were going ahead with the whole surgery. We were relieved. We, then, nervously waited for another 3 hours until he was finished.

When the plastic surgeon brought us back to see him it was such a shock. He looked completely different! Our plastic surgeon did an amazing job! I couldn't believe I was looking at our Caden. I actually missed the old Caden for a bit because that was all we have known for the past 4 months. I had heard other families with children that had cleft lips repaired say they missed their babies "wide smile" and I suddenly realized exactly what they meant. After a few hours of looking at our new little guy I fell in love with his new look and I think it turned out beautiful! The full result won't be seen for awhile because of the swelling and nose stints, but already he looks adorable! I will always, though, have a special little spot in my heart for Caden's first big grins.

When the surgery was over we waited in recovery for about 7 hours until they could find us a room. When we finally got a room it was a little chaotic. Caden was miserable from the surgery, we had to share a room, and it was right next to the extremely noisy nurses station. I stayed the night at the hospital with Caden and Chad returned to the hotel because the hospital rule is only one parent can stay. That was one crazy night! I am definitely still recovering. Poor little guy was MISERABLE.

Now we are home and trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. He is really doing quite well. I am so proud of him. He has his little arms in restraints so that he can't pull at his face. He also some bloody drainage that he chokes on from time to time. Through all of this he is already showing off his new smaller smile! So sweet!

We hope and pray his recovery continues to improve for all of our sakes. I want to thank everyone for all of their prayers, good wishes, and help. I am continually heartened by what wonderful people fill our lives. It makes going through these hard times possible. We are so immensely blessed by our family and friends. I will never be able to thank all of you enough. Please know every kind word and deed is beyond appreciated and will never be forgotten.

Mary

P.S. I happened to run into my cousin, Sally, accidentally at the hospital. She works there as an anesthesiologist. Thank you, Sally, for looking after him and checking in with us!