I'm having trouble posting on the blog today as the Internet at the hospital is running really really slow, but I really wanted to post an update on what's happening with Stephen. I think the last time I posted, we were sitting in the recovery area (PACU) with Stephen. He has some trouble when he started waking up out of the anesthesia and was in some pain, but they have been doing
a good job at managing his pain on the floor. Yesterday was a good day; he napped a lot, but was able to sit up and start playing with some of his toys and some of the ones the hospital (Child Life Services) gave him to borrow during his stay. And he's been sleeping pretty well too. Bill and I have both stayed with him every night since we're in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMC) and not in the intensive care unit which has been nice. It's cramped and the sleeping arrangements are crappy, but we like to be here first thing in the morning when the docs and everyone come around. And they started letting him eat again yesterday.

Today though, he seems to be a bit off. I can tell he isn't feeling as good as yesterday. He's very lethargic and just uninterested in what's going on. So I'm trying to just get him to sleep and hopefully that will help. We did start dialysis today and everything seems to be going great, so his nephrologist is hoping to get us home tomorrow. He'll still be on very low volumes, over a long period of time (12-18 hours), so it won't be an easy transition to home, but it's better to be home than be in the germy hospital.

And on another really happy note, Stephen met Santa Claus for the first time this morning! It's a little bittersweet as his Momma because I never wanted and/or expected that his first time seeing Santa Claus would be in a hospital bed and you never expect that your own child will be on the receiving end of Christmas toy donations (I seriously can't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes thinking about it). But it was still really special!! And thankfully Bill hadn't left for work yet, so he was here too. The Fairfax County Police and Sheriff's Department hosted this special event for all the children at the hospital today. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and a few elves came around with toys (hand-picked for each child's age) and took pictures and video of Santa handing out toys. Stephen wasn't scared of Santa at all, which was so awesome, but he did get a little freaked out by the bright camera lights. So...thank you so much to all the police men and women who worked to make this day so special for all these kids (and parent's too) and to all of those who donated toys!!! Stephen absolutely LOVES his new dinosaur toy and books!

Here's a family pic with Santa and one of Stephen playing with his new toy a bit before heading back off to Dream Land.