Beginning the Road to Recovery

James went into surgery yesterday around 10:45 a.m. and finished up at 1o:30 p.m. We finally got to see him after he got settled in the PICU (pediatric ICU) around midnight. It was a long day for everybody, but the surgeon was very happy with how things went. James did a great job and besides being a little pale, he looks great for having underwent a 12 hour procedure. For now James is being kept sedated and is still on the ventilator. It will take him longer to wake up from the anesthesia since he is sedated. The sedation is to prevent him from pulling on any tubes or disturbing his now connected esophagus while the sutures are still new. He will be in the PICU for a couple days, at least until he's off the ventilator. When he's stronger, he will get moved to a regular room on the surgical floor. James should be able to come home in 10-14 days.

Medical story: James underwent a gastric pull-up along with some other fancy Latin terms that I don't remember at the moment. The doctor was able to do the entire procedure laparoscopicly (no new incisions) which is amazing. They used the hole in his neck (where his esophagus use to come out) and the hole in his belly (where his g-tube was) to gain access to perform the procedure. They pulled part of his stomach up through his diaphragm and connected it to his upper esophagus just below his clavicle, so the connection is well protected under a bone. The surgeon put in a J-tube (similar to a G-tube except that is goes directly into the beginning of the small intestine) so that James will be able to get food that way soon. As I mentioned he is still on the vent and he has a chest tube, 2 IVs, a central line, the J-tube, an NG tube, and a tube in his neck for drainage from that site (plus all the monitor wires). Because of all these tubes (and for pain) James is being kept sedated for now. It's very important that he stay relaxed while his new esophagus is healing. Either Friday or Monday, the surgeon will do a dye test through the NG tube to verify that the esophagus is healed. (I was so excited to learn that this is a bedside procedure and won't require another OR trip). When the esophagus looks good, James can eat for the first time by mouth! His discharge will depend on weight gain and his ability to show he can eat.

I think that's all for now. Post questions about confusing points and I will do my best to answer. Again in the ICU, no cell phone calls, but we have the internet so please feel free to email! Thank you for all of your continued prayers. Praise the Lord!!!!