Surgery and Update

So, Tanner is about 4 weeks post op now. He is doing great!  Here is how everything went...

Waiting for surgery...  We needed to get there about 11:30 and surgery was scheduled for 1:30.  It was nice not to have to wake up at the crack of dawn and rush around in the morning.  We were all very calm.  I didn't feel nervous, and Tanner didn't show many nerves either.  It was nice that one of Tanner's Young Mens leaders from church is an anesthesiologist at the hospital and could come and visit with us beforehand.  He requested the best pediatric anesthesiologist to do Tanner's surgery and gave Tanner some good pointers about recovery.  It really helped us feel at peace and know that Tanner was in good hands.  

The doctor told us the surgery would take about three hours.  So, we visited a friend from the ward that was in the ICU, literally across the hall from Tanner's surgery, which was nice to get our mind off Tanner.  We also got a little bite to eat at the cafeteria, where we ran into the nurse anesthesiologist that took Tanner back for surgery, the nurse was on a break, and for sure we grilled him about how it was going!  He assured us Tanner was doing well and so far hadn't encountered any problems.  That really calmed my nerves just to know that up to that point all was well, it was tender mercy to run into him.  So, we were pretty good until the three hour mark.  Once it passed three hours since surgery had started and we hadn't heard anything I began to be a worried mama.  I was pacing the waiting area like a crazy person.  I'm sure the other people around me thought I was nuts.  FINALLY, 30 minutes later, Tanner's surgeons appeared!  They took us to a little room and let us know all went well.  They were able to do it laparoscopically, removed 95% of the colon-it was severely inflamed as expected- and were able to create a beautiful stoma for Tanner out of his small intestine.  

We were able to go back to the recovery room to see our baby.  He was resting but very aware that we were there.  We happened to be in the same recovery area that my dad was in  a few years ago after his hip replacement.  I assured Tanner he does much better coming out of anesthesia than his Grandpa!  The rest of the evening went well.  My dad and my mom both came to see Tanner that night.  A family friend, someone who had danced with my sister years ago, happened to be his nurse.  It was nice to have a familiar face taking care of him.  The most surprising thing right after surgery that we were not aware of is how bad it hurt him to talk.  We knew there would be tubes down his throat from surgery, but it wasn't a sore throat that bothered him.  He literally couldn't talk without extreme pain in his abdomen.  The nurse explained that your intestines sit right under your diaphragm, so when you talk your diaphragm hit your intestines.  As you can imagine, fresh from surgery intestines are very sensitive when a diaphragm is hitting them!   

That night was a little rough as the anesthesia drugs started wearing off, and pain was a constant issue.  Finally, he was able to get a some good rest the next morning.  Tuesday night, though, was not so fun.  They had told us he couldn't eat until his intestines woke up.  He was starving and tried convincing every medical personnel that they were indeed awake.  But, since there was no proof of that, nothing was allowed by mouth.  One sweet nurse let him have a sip of water but that was it.  He was not a happy camper.  Luckily, his whole Young Mens presidency, as well as his Teachers Quorum presidency, came to visit that night. All the grandparents, a member of the stake Presidency, and Jayme and Lee also came to visit.  I was grateful for that because he really was miserable and company helped keep his mind off of the hunger and pain. 

By Wednesday morning, his pain had subsided a lot, which means he slept well, and wasn't quite as grumpy.  Charity, Hunter, and my mom made a visit. The kids were happy to see him and came bearing decorations for his room.  I only got a picture of the beautiful tree Grandma brought though!

He was finally allowed to eat "clear liquids" by lunch time and Jello never tasted so good! He did well with that, so was upgraded to soft foods for dinner.  Ah, happy day! 

Wednesday night we had Grandparents visit again, and even a visit from the Stake President.  Bro. Walker also stopped by for a visit at some point.  I want to make sure we remember all the visitors!

Each day got better, and we decided if you have to spend a week in the hospital, do it right before Christmas.  Every day some group was coming by to give all the kids in the hospital some kind of gift.  You can see Tanner is up walking the halls when we ran into Santa.  Ladd called me a drill sergeant.  From having 4 c-sections, I consider myself an expert on abdominal surgery.  Tanner had such bad shoulder pain, like I did, after surgery.  The only way to get rid of that air inside your body is to walk it off!  Worked for me and worked for Tanner!

 

Braden came to visit, and by Thursday Tanner was feeling good enough to be up out of bed and play chess with him.

 The Fontana PD also came by to show us their K9 dogs.  Lucky that Braden and Hunter were there for that!

We had a few sweet therapy dogs come to visit us too.  

Here is Tanner having a meal.  He has struggled with being able to eat much of anything without pain for the last few years.  So, we were so happy to see him eating and enjoying food just a few days out of surgery!  It's amazing what can happen you when you remove a diseased organ from a growing body! 

We had wonderful nurses and felt very well cared for.  Tanner was able to go home on Friday afternoon.  Monday-Friday is a long hospital stay!  Ladd was there all day Monday and Tuesday, but worked the other days, just visiting us at the hospital at night.  I only went home once on Wednesday to freshen up and see the kiddos.  So, we were ready for our home by the end of the week!

Throughout the week, we got cute updates on how the rest of our crew was doing!  Thanks so much Jayme, Julie, Heidi, and most of all my amazing mom for taking such good care of these three!  What would we do without you?

We felt so much love from so many throughout this whole process.  Cards and gifts sent to Tanner brightened his day.  We knew many were praying and fasting for Tanner and we felt those prayers! The picture shows his seminary teacher who brought over a sign made by his seminary class, along with balloons and a feast from Vince's Spaghetti-a restaurant he has missed going to these past years!  What a blessing it is to be surrounded by so many people who love and care for Tanner.

This is a very difficult thing for anyone to go through, but especially as a teenager.   Tanner has done a great job adjusting to his "new" life.  There have been some bumps in the road the past few weeks, but I can honestly say its been less bumpy than it has been dealing with his Ulcerative Colitis. We are praying Tanner will continue to improve, start thriving again, and move on in his life with confidence using his experiences to lift others.  It is certainly a journey I would not have picked for my son, but I know Tanner is one that can live this journey well!