In the Operating Room...

Backstory:

Yesterday morning as I left preschool I noticed Oliver had a huge wet mark on his shirt. It was immediately apparent that his wound was draining...and fast. We first went to our pediatrician's office who then sent us to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to be admitted. While there we sent photos of Oliver's incision to our Boston team. They were seriously alarmed and asked that we catch a plane ASAP.

Last night we drove to Raleigh and stayed with our dear friends, Larry & Laura Wooten. These amazing folks took us to the airport this morning at 4 AM, and even had coffee made for us!

We had to take two flights because so many were sold out. Oliver did beautifully during the flights, and considering what he has been through the past three weeks we were so proud of him!

Once in Boston we got a cab to the ER here at Mass General. They had the surgical team paged when we checked in. When Dr. Duhaime and her nurse practitioner (Sharon) walked in, I almost lost it. To be with these women who we have grown to trust and love was beyond encouraging. It felt like my soul sighed. I knew immediately we were in the right place and made the right choice!

Dr. Duhaime immediately stated that she would judge with almost complete certainty that the area is infected and the entire device has to be removed. Dr. Butler (the other pediatric neurosurgeon here) was the one who reviewed the photos from yesterday and he had the same opinion. They were clear that the incision site should not look this way 21 days removed from surgery.

In the ER this morning Oliver finally broke down. He has been poked and proded so much the last week or so that he was like a caged animal. He was crying and so unhappy. It was utterly heartbreaking and beyond exhausting. We are so tired of watching him suffer. The older he gets, the more he is aware of hospitals, doctors, needles, etc... His lack of language coupled with the strength of ten boys makes for some dramatic situations. Andrew and I have to “double team” the little guy to keep him under control. Our precious Boston family (Carolyn and Rich Ferrell) helped as well, with Rich staying at home with their kids while Carolyn came and brought Starbucks and a care package of food. We were getting “hangry” about then, so it was wonderful timing.

Around 1:00 Oliver entered the Operating Room. They will have to re-open BOTH incisions (the one on his chest and on his neck).

We have no time table at this point for when we'll leave the hospital and/or Boston. Your sweet notes have been a much needed bright spot.

***We were just told he should be in our room within the hour, and the surgery has revealed that there is indeed an infection at the site. We made the right decision coming here. More to come...