Surgery Was a Success!!!

Our prayers have been heard and answered once more...Stephen has made it through surgery and is recovering in his own private NICU room as we speak!!!! The surgery went really well, albeit really long, and he has successfully had both kidneys removed, a GI tube put in (a feeding tube), and his peritoneal dialysis tube also put in. We expected that the surgery would be between 3 and 4 hours. But the surgery was almost 7 hours from the time that Bill and I left Stephen in the OR, until the time the surgeon came to talk to us. It was a grueling, long 7 hours of waiting, but we knew all along that the surgery might be longer and that Dr. Kim would take his time making sure everything was exactly perfect.

The surgery actually took longer than expected because of the size, shape, and orientation of the kidneys. They were much larger than expected, so it was very difficult to remove the first one, and they were set deep in his abdominal cavity and were sort of turned. So the incision had to be bigger and it was a bit trickier to remove them. But our amazing surgeon, Dr. Kim was able to do it, and essentially saved our little guys life.

He is now looking much better and sleeping the night/day away for awhile. His tummy is completely deflated, his color is fantastic and it's wonderful to finally see his beautiful little face and nose. He no longer has the CPAP machine, but for the time being is on a ventilator until his little body can heal a bit from surgery. And he now has his own private digs in the NICU! They have given him the greatest little room all to himself and His amazing nurses, Jessica E., Jessica T., Val, Belinda, and Lisa, will all continue to take care of him. I know it doesn't sounds like a big deal, but it is a big deal that he moved rooms in the NICU but is allowed to keep his established nurses. I keep joking that he's got his nurses wrapped around his already!!!

And the best part about today, was that the grandparents were able to catch a glimpse of him for the first time. We asked that when they wheeled him down to the OR from the NICU, they wheeled him past the waiting room. And they were able to grant our wishes. It was a quick pass, but an important and emotional one.

Once again, bill and I owe you all a huge heaping pile a gratitude for all your prayers, love, and support. We have been receiving support and prayers from all over the country. We could never adequately thank you all and explain in words what that has meant to us, so I won't try. But please know that we love you all and sincerely appreciate every effort to help save our little boy. God bless you all!!!!!

Love
Lindsey