The Waiting Is the Hardest Part...

This morning my baby boy woke up at 3:30.  He was NOT very happy that he could not have anything to eat and just be comforted back to sleep.  So, the more he cried, the angrier he got.  Daddy comforted him though and got up to play with him.  His favorite toys this morning...a random small candy wrapper, a calculator, a Chargers hat and a plastic spoon.  Those kept him happy until we left at 5:30 to go to the hospital.  At the hospital we began the waiting.  I changed Zachary into his little hospital gown and put on his Super Hero Cape to keep his back warm...after all...it was 21 degrees outside this morning.  It was a little sad knowing that this was the last time I would see him in his original God-given form.

After visits from Dr. Bauer and Dr. Doberman the anesthesiologist,  (yep, that's really his name) at 7:25 they came to get my little man.  We were able to walk him down to the doors to the operating room wrapped in a warm blanket and yep, I lost it a little.  It's funny to think he will not ever even remember this moment...but I will never ever forget it.  It is comforting knowing that he is in the best hands with Dr. Bauer and with God watching over them both.  It is also difficult to try and pull it together so your four year old doesn't freak out.  Zoie has been quite a challenge this trip - as have most of the siblings from what I've heard.  I have to remind myself constantly that while she isn't the one getting surgery - she may actually need even more attention than Zac.

So...we waited...and waited....at 9:55 Dr. Bauer came out to get us.  The surgery went really well.  They were able to do what they call "advance the skin" from his little tushie upwards and take what sounds like a pretty decent strip of Wolfy off of his lower back.  In addition to that removal, they also placed an expander across the top of his back.  This expander will hold 500cc of saline.  Due to the limited amount of 'good' skin, he may not be able grow much good skin this round...but we will take it little by little.  We were hoping to have two satellites removed this round, one on his ankle and one on his arm...but they were not able to do it this time.  Onto the recovery room.

Zac was a little disoriented as most babies are when they are coming to from the anesthesia.  He cried a little bit but eventually settled into my arms and drank a whopping 6 oz bottle!  He slept peacefully after that and I rocked him for a little over an hour until we were able to go to our room.  It obviously is not comfortable for him to be moved a great deal but he is doing amazing.  Once we were in our room, we were able to lay side by side on the bed and I was able to nurse him a little which comforted him a great deal.  The nurses think he is so adorable and such a little trooper.  Let the healing begin.  I am gonna order a tray of food and take a big fat nap!