Syndactyly Surgery

Caleb had his syndactyly release surgery on his right hand this morning. We arrived at the hospital shortly before 5:30 and were taken to a pre-op room shortly before 6:00. After getting his vitals checked, we spent time playing, reading, and taking photos (cue eye roll from Brad).

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb seemed like an appropriate book to read before surgery. 

Above is one last look at his right hand before surgery. We won't see his "released" hand for at least a week, maybe two.

He was taken back to the OR at 7:00. It took about 30 minutes to prep him, and the surgeon started at 7:30. The surgery took about 2.5 hours. The surgeon came out to the waiting room afterward, and then Brad and I were both able to go back to recovery and be with him around 10:30. 

He was very fussy for quite a while during recovery, and we thought it was just because he was waking up from anesthesia. We tried all sorts of things to get him to calm down. Offering him juice, offering him water, breathing in humidified air, breathing in some supplemental oxygen, covering him with warm blankets, rocking, bouncing, etc. Eventually, the nurses decided that he was probably in some pain. A dose of Tylenol/codeine and he felt quite a bit better. Sorry it took us all so long to figure that one out, Caleb! 

We were able to take him home around 1:00. Caleb has slept off and on for most of the afternoon/evening. When he has been awake, he has been wanting to eat and drink. He hasn't had any pain medicine since 11:30, but we will probably give him a dose right before bedtime. 

Thanks to everyone who prayed for Caleb and for those who sent us thoughtful messages today. Thanks to Jen for giving us some BabyLegs that her son no longer needed. I was able to modify them with my sewing machine, and now they're cute bandage covers for Caleb's arm! Thanks also to our sweet neighbor who prepared a delicious dinner for us this evening!