Surgery's Over!

The surgery went well and we're home tonight! It has been a long day!

Chance had to be at the hospital this morning by 11:00 for his surgery scheduled for 1:00 pm. He and I got there in time to visit the gift shop before he checked in so I could get a book of crossword puzzles to work while he was in surgery.

Jody got there about 10 minutes before 1:00 as they were getting ready to take Chance to the operating room and I was glad he would be there to sit with me for the long wait! The surgery took three hours which the doctor had prepared us for beforehand. Dr. M came out about 4:15 and said they had just taken Chance to recovery and would come get us in about an hour once he was back in his room.

Dr. M explained to us, again, everything he had done during the surgery. He said he did a lot of work and Chance was going to be pretty sore for awhile! He put a screw in the bone that was broken, put two pins to hold the dislocated bones in the correct position while they healed. He said the pins would be removed in a few weeks. Once he got in he also found some of the smaller ligaments had been torn in the accident as well and he was able to sew those back together. He said the big ligaments all looked pretty good.

The anesthesiologist then joined us and together they explained that a nerve block had been put in at Chance's shoulder to numb his entire arm to help with pain control - at least for a few hours.

The nurse came and got us about 5:20 when they had Chance back in his room. He was in a lot of pain! I was surprised because the way the docs talked the nerve block should take care of the pain for the first few hours. They gave him some medication through his IV for the pain but that didn't seem to help either. They then gave him a shot in his hip to take care of the pain and to prevent any nausea and after about 20 minutes the pain eased up quite a bit.

We finally left the hospital about 6:30 with two prescriptions and our instructions. I was really glad to be home! I put Chance in mine and Jody's bed for tonight - we have a king size and his is only a twin. I was afraid if he rolled over in his bed his arm would either fall off the bed or he would roll over on it or something would happen! I know, I'm a bit of a worry wart!

Anyway, Jody and I will sleep in the guest bed tonite (queen size) and then tomorrow Jody will move Chance's twin out of his room and move the queen in for him to use until his arm is better. I had hoped to move the beds tonite (and stay in my bed) but Chance has one of those beds with the motor to lower and raise the head and foot of bed! Lucky kid, huh! The bed is way too heavy, because of the motor, for me to help Jody lift it so he will get some help tomorrow and move the beds around. I'll be back in my bed tomorrow nite!

So, Chance is sleeping (drug-induced, thankfully) now and I will set my alarm to give him pain medication every four hours for tonight so that he doesn't start hurting. I think if we can keep the pain under control for the next couple of days, he and I will both rest better!

Our Thanksgiving, yesterday, was really nice. Both Candace and Elizabeth had called me last week to let me know they would be coming if I was cooking - so, of course I cooked! Addy was in Texas with her other grandparents but both of the girls, their hubbys and Jody and Levi came for the day! I love it when our families are able to be together!

God is good and I have so much to be thankful for during this holiday as well was every other day of my life!

In His Love and Blessings
annb