Operation Extubation

Today was Gabriel's surgery.  Throughout this whole process, he has somehow avoided going under the knife, and we had hoped to fly under the surgery radar all together, to no avail.  A hernia diagnosis a few weeks ago sealed his fate for imminent surgery.  Sad face.  However, if he had to have an operation and be under anesthesia (and be intubated) this is just about the safest surgery with the least complications, for which we are very thankful.  That didn't stop me from having a nightmare about it last night....I am such a worrier.

About 14:30 today, Gabriel left his room for the first time since June 15th and headed to the OR.  He even wore his "business attire" for the occasion.....

 We met the appropriate doctors, who were to perform a right inguinal hernia repair (and laproscopically check for and repair, if necessary, a hernia on the left) and a circumcision.  The operation would take around an hour.  I think everyone expected me to be a nervous wreck, but I had a suprising feeling of calm.  Although I know all the things that can go wrong with just the anesthesia, I somehow felt like God didn't bring Gabriel through the last 120 days of hell just to slip up now.  The anesthesiologist told us he was pretty confident that Gabriel would need to stay intubated because of his history and preterm nature, but Trent, mom and I all knew he would prove this guy wrong and come back to the room extubated.

The waiting wasn't as bad this time, and when they called us into the consultation room, it was good news.  The surgery went very well, he did have bilateral hernias, which they successfully repaired, and the circumcision was seamless (no pun intended).  He also was extubated right away!  Praise the Lord...The only remnant of the breathing tube was his raspy little voice when he cries, which is a little sad.  I hope it doesn't make him too uncomfortable.  He is also in some pain, but they will give him pain meds for at least 24 hours to get him "over the hump".  I hate seeing my little man in pain!

Gabriel was back into his room being snuggled and fed by his momma within the hour.  All in all, best case scenario and we can check that off our "to do" list....Countdown to going home....t-minus 9 days.