Monday 6 December 2010

My fraught Friday (a nativity play and two eye operations)

Oh, my! Your responses to my last post were absolutely extraordinary. I can’t tell you how much you all lifted my spirits and helped me get me through the past few days. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Bloggers are peerless when it comes to supporting a fellow blogger through a tough time. So yes, we made it through last Friday. But it wasn’t just Sam’s surgery occupying my mind. Oh, no, that would be too simple for this crazy planet ☺. As you have probably gathered by now (see here and here for example), we don’t do things by halves on Planet Baby. No, siree. So gather close and I’ll tell you about my fraught Friday.

After a restless night worrying about Sam’s surgery, our day commenced early with the little man starting his fast. Not a good start, was it? Hmm. Mr PB took Joshua to school and then helped me distract Sam for a few hours. Then we bundled India and Sam into the chariot to head off to watch Joshie’s school Nativity Play. It really was such a sweet little event. He and his fellow Kindergarten classmates walked in procession to the local church, led by Jack the donkey. Here’s our proud shepherd in his fetching costume.
Here’s the procession of angels, wise men, shepherds, Mary (clutching dolly Jesus) and Joseph, wending its way down the street.

Joshie was an absolute champion, singing lustily away to the 10 or so songs he’d  memorised. He stood guard with his fellow shepherds most conscientiously, clutching his stuffed toy lamb. Cuteness personified! Here’s a tableau of the children. See him, up the back, about the third from the left in his orange costume, holding his staff and lamb?
Mr PB spent the (seemingly interminable) half hour trying to entertain an increasingly fractious, hungry and tired Sam. I stood up the front with India to get a better view, swapping her from hip to hip so she could see. Hmm, I felt every one of those 15 kilos! And all the while, I was checking my watch. Talk about cutting it fine – it finished less than an hour before Sam had to check into hospital!

Anyway, Joshie was delighted with how it went. So was my Mum who was so proud of her oldest grandchild. Then it was action stations. Joshie’s costume was hurled off and we hopped back into the chariot to take Joshie and India to my in-laws’ house for babysitting. Then we raced to the day surgery with Sam. And met my Mum and Dad in the waiting room. Would you believe it – my Dad had surgery scheduled with Sam’s surgeon as well! After more waiting with our tired, hungry, thirsty and cranky little camper, we finally got the green light to get him ready. Mr PB was decked out in his fetching surgical gown, slippers, hat and mask. A bit like this, taken just before Joshua was born.

He accompanied our baby boy into theatre while I fought off tears. Fortunately, the anaesthetist used a mask to administer the gas so Mr PB was needed only briefly. Then the wait began.

I flicked idly through a magazine, unable to concentrate. Then, all of a sudden, my PND hit me with a thud. Tears welled up. I felt just dreadful, like my jaw was dragging on the floor. Like I was burdened with a huge weight on my shoulders, dragging me downwards. Flashbacks of the pixies’ 6 previous operations came flooding back. Oh, and the 7 operations I’ve had in the past 7 years. Hmm, not pleasant. And still we waited. Then my Mum ducked off into town so I had to keep my Dad company. He was very edgy. As I was helping him with his pre-theatre meeting with a nurse, I heard Sammy scream. Torn, I had to wait with Dad until he was finished. Then I tried to flee into the recovery area to find my baby. But they made us wait. For 10 minutes. Sometimes 10 minutes can seem like a lifetime.

Then I ran over to him, screaming his head off in a nurse’s arms, his eye bloodied. I scooped him up into my arms. He was hysterical. Nothing could calm him. I sat in a recliner chair with him as he cried, screamed, struggled and tried to scratch his eyes out. Just like last time. Just like all the other 6 times with the pixies. Every time, they’ve emerged from an operation absolutely hysterical. This went on for about an hour. It took so much energy to try to restrain his wriggling, contorting little body as he tried to scratch his sore eye. He worked up a sweat so we had to strip off his clothes. Then finally, he submitted long enough to drink his bottle. And then another. Then he fell into a deep slumber. Finally.

Eventually, we were given the all clear to return home. Dad was still in the waiting room, his surgery delayed. He was pensive. Mum still hadn’t returned. But I had to leave him there and take my baby boy home. For lots of cuddles, some Nurofen and an early night. Mr PB was an angel, ‘on call’ all night on the couch closest to Sammy’s room. Fortunately, he slept through. We’d made it through our fraught Friday. Thanks heavens for that.

And here’s our happy little chappie on Saturday. The eagle-eyed might just see the redness in his left eye. Oh, and the remnants of his war wounds from learning to walk! Aren’t children amazing the way they can bounce back so quickly? Just miraculous.

We saw the surgeon this morning and he was delighted with what he saw. Now we just have to wait and see whether the surgery has worked. We’ll see him again in the New Year. Fingers crossed he likes what he sees. And what’s more, I hope Sam does, too.
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20 comments:

  1. My word Jane, what a Friday! I'm sure most of us would have had tears flowing coping with all of what you went through. So glad to see the last shot of pixie Sammy looking happy, and thrilled for you that the surgeon was delighted. Everything crossed for continuous good news. Look after yourself. x

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  2. What a day you had Jane. Glad to hear surgery went well and Sam is on the mend. Take care & don't forget to take some time for yourself xo

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  3. Oh yay! kids are so amazingly resiliant aren't they? More to the point - how are you? (I always find I am far more traumatised than they are :-) xxxCate

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  4. Thank you for sharing this story...and hello, Im Rachel! I just found your blog and I love your writing and this experience you just had with your baby has had my heart in my throat. Both of my kids went under sedation for very minor dental procedures, and I bawled my eyes out. I have to give you so much credit. I can tell you are an amazing, strong, and loving mother. I just want to cry!
    Here's to beautiful clear eyes and seeing brightly into the future!
    Cheers!

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  5. Naaaw poor Sam, sounds like a rough day for him!
    But glad he pulled through and he looks cute as a button on Saturday :)

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  6. WHAT a Friday,
    dear Jane, but
    sounds like you
    all came out like
    champs. So hard
    for your to muddle
    through with your
    PND, BUT....you did.
    One day at a time,
    right?? Here's hoping
    this week is off to
    a great start!
    xx Suzanne

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  7. Oh Jane, I got all teary eyed reading your post, especially imagining what you were feeling and then having to calm your very upset little Sam :(
    You have all done so well to get through this and the other surgeries in the past.
    I hope the results are all good and that this week brings you many calm, peaceful and happy moments.
    I think you well and truly deserve it!!
    Josh looked very cute too.

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  8. So wonderful! His eyes will be perfect!

    What a harrowing experience ... little buggers cause their parents grief from the moment they're born, but you'd never give them back!

    Even baby Jesus caused his mother some worry and angst!

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  9. Oh my goodness Jane, what an awful experience for you! Here's hoping it was all worth it :)
    I have to say thank you for your lovely lovely comment re my artowrk giveaway. Sometimes I question my abilities but when I read those wonderful comments it gives me confidence. Thank you!

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  10. So glad you got through. When my son was 18 months old, he had surgery for a tongue tie and a circumcision (my husband's idea). The whole time I sat there wondering if we had done the right thing, did he really have a tongue tie or was I getting unneccessary surgery for him as it is difficult to diagnose and not a popular diagnosis therese days. When the surgeon came out, I asked if he did have a tongue tie and he said yes, there was one and I was relieved we had made the right decision... I hope. Keeping a toddler from eating in the morning is very difficult. Glad you are through it all now and with good results.

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  11. oh my..what a day.. im sure the surgert went well, take care /marie

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  12. I'll get to the eye surgery in a min...

    HOW GORGEOUS IS THAT NAVITITY TRADITION!! Love it.

    Now, to the amazing little man who looks fantastic just one day after surgery. Well done, you great trouper you. x

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  13. ** hugs ** so glad to hear that it all went well. We are facing surgery to remove tonsils from our 20mth old, and I too am on the verge of tears just thinking about it.

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  14. All choked up, Jane. What struck me from the outset was your ability to cope with so much at once. I know you have PND but remember that you are much stronger than you may know. Obviously, you (and Mr PB) have pulled it together to be able assemble a fab costume for Joshie, attend the nativity play, keep a hungry Sam distracted..all with the bigger 'gig' looming. So sorry to hear how upset the little man was...as others have said, they are so resilient and bounce back. But still..So, here's hoping for an excellent medical outcome and a very chilled Christmas for you all xxx

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  15. What a cheeky little grin and magnificent set of choppers he has. Children are amazing aren't they. Sounds like a terrible day, thank goodness it is now all behind you.

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  16. Why, thanks, ladies! Yet again, I'm incredibly moved by your compassion.

    Thanks for asking about me, Cate ☺. You'll find out when I write tonight's post...

    And it's lovely of you to stop by, Rachel and Marie. I've just started following your sweet blogs.

    Thanks for our many supportive comments lately, Suzanne. They really help me get through my days.

    What kind sentiments, Kat. Wait until you read my next post to see what happened on the weekend!

    My pleasure, Sarah - all well deserved. And we Hobartians have to stick together ☺.

    Thanks, Nessa - you 'get it' then. And yes, the fasting is the pits.

    Oh Bron, they were such wide-eyed little innocents - just delightful. Their procession made it to the local newspaper.

    I'm thinking of you, Sasha. Joshie was 2.5 years old when his tonsils were removed. It was the best thing - he hasn't looked back.

    Oh, Paula, you're such a sweetheart - thanks.

    And yes, Deb, Friday was one out of the box! J x

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  17. Jane, that does sound like a truly harrowing day, PND or no. The nativity performance, the fasting, the running around and having your infant son AND your father needing your care. Gosh, that's anxiety plus! I really felt for you reading how you had to wait 10 mins before you could hold poor Sam. Heartbreaking. But, a well-loved child is a resilient child and you can now put Friday behind you (as I know you have!). x Sarah

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  18. Oh, your description of him waking up from the surgery had me in tears, so thrilled to see the after photo, with a rascally and very reassuring grin! The nativity play was divine too! x

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  19. Oh what a darling little Sam is!! What a trying time for you having both your little one and your dad to look after - I really felt for you reading this post, must be so tough as a mum when your children are having an operation. Hope Sam continues to pick up over the next few days x

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  20. Oh, Sarah, I'm so lucky to have you as my friend. I really appreciate your sweet words and sympathy.

    And Emma, I'm sorry to make you cry (again)! You have such a big heart.

    Thanks, Amanda, and for your fab email. You've made my day. J x

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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, you gorgeous soul. You've just made my day! J x

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