G-Tube Is In, But A Long Road Home

Oliver's surgery went well and his g-tube has been placed. Sadly, but predictably he is in some pain and we are working to try and keep that at a minimum. Due to all his medications he has a super high tolerance and needs higher than usual doses of pain meds.

Tonight, the surgery site drains and nothing is put in the tube. Tomorrow, around lunchtime we'll try to use the g-tube for the first time and see how well he tolerates it. We have so much to learn about how it all works. We also have to work on a plan for what to do if (and we are pretty sure it could happen) it comes out. Already he is trying to get at the g-tube despite us having a binder around it.

The video they had us watch about the g-tube was rather overwhelming. When they pulled it out of the one of the babies in the video, we both felt a little woozy. Seeing a gaping hole in the side of a kid's stomach is just not normal. So we have some leveling up to do.

During the surgery, the urologist checked him out and said overall things look good (although Oliver does have a distended bladder from all the urinary retention). He recommended a special kind of catheter that may be more comfortable for him, but overall it was good news on that front.

We are hopeful that we'll be out of here in a few days. The transition home is going to be intense; not just anybody can do a catheter or a feeding with a g-tube, so our caregiving situation could change a great deal. We also don't think it makes sense for Oliver to go right back to school (in the traditional manner, at least). So your prayers for healing for Ollie and stamina for Mom and Dad are appreciated.