Timothy Surgery March 14th

Weds Day 1

We all slept in until 8am and poor Timothy couldn't eat, but could have Gatorade until 9. Then off to Primary Childrens hospital. At 10:30 we checked in and waited. Then we went in a room were he was checked out and the IV was put in. They had to take some blood also. It didn't go smooth and he stopped bleeding in the middle and they couldn't get it to bleed and then it gushed. Timothy wasn't doing well so they put him on oxygen. That helped and then they had to clean him up and tape the IV. Then we waited some more. We talked to the anestiogist and he answered all our questions. The doctor was still in another surgery, so we were waiting for her to be done and then she came to talk to us. She was great to go over things and answer questions. Then we hugged him and had to wait for 3 hrs.

We went to get something to eat and then I went for a walk. The waiting was very hard.

We just heard that they flipped the bars and it all went well. He should be done by 5pm.

I went to the recovery room and he was doing well and in good spirits. He was on drugs, but realitivly happy. He wasn't there long and then they moved him to his hospital room.

He was eating and doing well until about 10 and he got up to go to the bathroom. He did fine until he got back to bed. He was uncomfortable and his pain was increasing. Unfortunately he couldn't have any more meds until 2 am. We did the best we could, but he throw up at 11 and 1 am. They then got permission for some brake out meds and zophran. It took awhile for him to settle down and he slept mostly from 3-5am. Then he had to go get chest x rays. The nurse was careful to have his meds first and things went better. He is eating a little now and sleeping. Today should be the hardest. I hope it goes better.

Thursday Day 2

Timothy went for a walk and sat up for 20mins. It is painful, but movement is very important.

He has to get up and work 4 times today.

Timothy's surgery went well. The Dr. was disappointed that the cosmetic effect isn't perfect, but we weren't expecting that. She reported that the chest was pressing more on the heart than they thought and after the changes, there is now room around the heart. This was the primary goal. Last night, Tresa stayed with Timothy and they had a rough (as expected) night as they worked through the pain management issues. He is resting better this morning after his first of four walks today. He is resting and watching March Madness.

Timothy new chest

Before surgery

I know I should switch the pictures, but I am glad I even got it here. Still learning how to us my iPad. I am very happy that I can do this at the hospital. Technology is great.

Friday Day 3

It was my turn to be overnight in the hospital last night. It continues to be a tough job to mange the pain, sleeping and feeding of Timothy. He is doing better. They removed his chest tubes yesterday and early this morning took him off of morphine via IV and put him on pills (very heavy duty pills, but pills all the same.) These are both important steps in getting him prepared to go home (which we hope happens on Monday.)

Our hardest job is keeping his spirits up through this tough recovery. We appreciate all of the support of family and friends and are passing it along to Timothy. Tresa will be with Timothy tonight.

Timothy continues to do well during the day and had been on 4 walks. They also tried a longer bed, but the knees wouldn't go as high as Timothy likes so we changed back. He ate well that day, but around 8 pm things were rough again.

Saturday Day 4

With Tresa on duty, last night continued the pattern of being rough.Tresa was exhausted when I relieved her just before noon today. Daytime continues to improve. Timothy had a very good day today. He issupposed to walk 4 times a day and has been on 5 walks already today(add a 6th walk, interrupting this email.) The walks are helping alot. We are, finally, all on oral meds and that is a good step also.This evening, Timothy reported a pain level of 2 (on a scale of 1-10)which is the lowest we have heard since the surgery.The funniest moment of the day occurred about mid afternoon. Hestarted feeling his chest and asking what wires were running down themiddle of his chest. A closer examination revealed that it was justhis chest. That part of him has always been so depressed and was nowpoking out a little.We appreciate all of your love and support and prayers. Timothy hashis phone now, but the room we are in has terrible service. We haveto go on walks to send/receive texts (which is good.)We are still on target to take him home on Monday.

Sunday Day 5

Timothy had already been on a walk to get X-rays and on a walk to church before I arrived. It was nice to be about to go to church at the hospital. Jennifer and Erin had also arrived around 7. It was a lot of fun to see them all interact. A 14 year old on drugs and to college students with little sleep. It was very comical at times and a great distraction for Timothy.

While David and I went to lunch some boys and their leaders from church came to visit Tim. I guess timothy was telling about the surgery and one of the leaders fainted. I guess we missed out on the big excitement of the day.

Jennifer and Erin making Timothys day a little brighter.

The visit from the teachers quorum

Erin and Jennifer's creations

Jennifer and Erin did a great job keeping Timothy company and entertaining us all. It was great to have them around and I think it really helped Timothy's spirits.

The first day in the hospital with Dad.

A get well poster from his friends in band.

Picture of the get well poster and Jennifer and Erin's art work.

Monday Day 6

The morning didn't go well and he was throwing up again and we were worried that he wouldn't be able to go home. He still wasn't off the oxygen, but it was really hard for him to sleep at the hospital. We told the doctor that we wanted to go home, so she helped us get oxygen to take home and work out all the medication. By noon he was feeling better and had eaten some food and been on a walk. I worked on getting everything into bags and picking up his medicine from the pharmacy and David worked on getting stuff ready at home and coming up in the Van to get him. We left around 2pm and were very happy to be going home.

We brought Timothy home this afternoon. He must be feeling well,

because he immediately set about rearranging his room (apparently, our
arrangements weren't up to his standard!) The very early morning was
rough, but all agree that he is ready and will do better at home now.
The parents are ready for him to be home so that we both can get
better sleep and see each other occasionally.

We expect him to be on the "good" drugs for a week or two. He is
ready for visitors or cards or surprises. I'll reply individually to
some of your specific questions.

We really appreciate all of your concern, support and prayers. We are
grateful that it has gone well and are glad to see Tim in good

spirits. David