October 31, 2018 "Postponed surgery"

Rayden's urologist wanted to get a renal ultrasound BEFORE surgery because it would be quite a while before he would allow someone to be poking on his abdomen after surgery. So we checked into Ronald McDonald House yesterday afternoon before the appointment. I tried to make the best of our afternoon by playing with everything there. He certainly seemed to enjoy himself. He even made a new little friend, JD. But I believe his most favorite part was that he "had the power" wrapped around his neck to open all the doors. 

We were able to sleep in and play a little more this morning because the hospital called and postponed his check in time to 10:30 am. It was really nice to have our normal support group there to help us through this long six hour surgery. (Nanny and Papa Bradley, Alex, Nanny Jane, Patsy, Debbie, and Pastor Brad) Rayden actually enjoyed the more than 30 minute wait until they took us back to pre-op. He walked around playing and talking. We try very hard to keep him from being frightened of the hospital. He walked more than 74 steps in this video. He took at least 10 before I even started recording!! 

When they finally took us back to pre-op Rayden knew something was wrong. He didn't want to change his clothes or weigh. He didn't want anyone touching him. The pain team were the first people to come into the room. They immediately started talking about placing an epidural. I was shocked by this because Dr. Vergun had mentioned he couldn't have one because of his Spina Bifida. They continued talking about it and asked a few more questions. Somehow I mentioned that he was sick last week with an upper respiratory thing with fever and was on antibiotics, tylenol and motrin. They quickly looked at each other and said they had to go get the head anesthesiologist. I knew something was wrong. When he came in he listened to Rayden's chest and lungs. Even though he didn't hear anything he didn't feel comfortable with going on with the surgery but he needed to consult with Dr. Vergun

She came in and explained that they were worried about losing his airway! She stated that any lingering respiratory issues could cause more swelling preventing them from taking the breathing tube out after it had been in for more than six hours. This could cause death or an ICU stay at best!! She explained that it certainly wasn't worth losing his life and we agreed!!! We postponed the surgery until December 13. 

We feel like God had a hand in all of this. Apparently it just wasn't the right time. We praise God for intervening. We praise God for giving us a surgical team that are not 'cut happy' and put the child's wellbeing BEFORE the dollar!