Surgical Success

The last couple of months have been interesting for Ethan. The week before Thanksgiving he developed a peri-anal abscess. (I've heard that you should definitely NOT Google that....) It isn't anything genetic, we didn't do anything wrong with his hygiene, it's just something that happens. A rotten luck of the draw. Our wonderful pediatrician lanced it, prescribed antibiotics and hoped that it was a one time thing that would resolve itself. 

Unfortunately, after a two-week course of antibiotics it returned ten days later.

Resume antibiotics for two weeks. Ten days later? It was back.

At this point we got a referral to Spokane to see a surgical pediatric specialist. This also involves including a pediatric certified anesthesiologist. We got an appointment for February 2nd. After making the appointment and doing some thinking I figured it would probably just be a consult. After which we would have to go back to Spokane for a procedure. After calling back and finding out that yes, this would be a consult but that it may be possible to get the procedure scheduled for the next day we planned for an overnight trip and prayed that it would all work out.

[Etta and Russell got to spend a couple of days with (newly retired) Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve. Mae and Ethan piled in the car with us and we headed north.]

The consult on Monday went well. The doctor was very personable, friendly and to the point. Yes, it would have to be cut from the inside. One way of putting it would be "snaking out his plumbing". A 5 to 10 minute procedure. We went in to meet with the surgical scheduler. As she was looking up the schedule book the doctor casually mentioned that to be able to perform the procedure everyone in our house would have to be cough and fever free for THREE FULL WEEKS for him to go under the knife.

A family of six?

Fever and cold free for six weeks?

In winter?

With children in school and a teacher at home?

Um, we meet these criteria right. this. second. Can we please get in tomorrow?!

Yes, it is a short procedure and he has a tiny bit of room "late in the day".

1:15 p.m. (Wha...? Late in the day?? We don't know much about surgery schedules I guess.)

Yes please!

So we bundled up and headed to my Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Bill's house to hunker down and wait. So nice to have them there and to welcome our circus.

Tuesday morning we left Mae watching TV (she was in 4-year old heaven) and took Ethan to the surgical floor.

All went well. He came out of the anesthesia very well and we were able to come home after. The only sign of surgery is a small .... gap .... where Dr. Thorne made the incision. (For you ladies reading, think episiotomy.) No stitches, no bleeding. All is well with the world.

Changing into the very stylish baby gown.

Hey! I look good in anything!
(I still can't get over this smile after 3+ months of Mr. Serious. And
if you look close you can see his two new bottom teeth.)

Getting kisses from daddy. I don't think he likes the facial hair.

Trying to eat his gown as he had to do a 6-hour baby fast before surgery time. We got
him up early to do a bottle at 5:30 a.m. He did okay for awhile but after 7 hours from his
last bottle he was getting hungry.

He found solace in Bob's arms and took a little cat nap.

So cute and content!

After surgery, a bottle, and getting bundled up he went right back to sleep.
The lovely recovery nurse let him take his tiny, baby oxygen mask to
play with and chew on. Everything baby-sized is cute.

Mae didn't want to be left out in the picture taking. She was a trooper and had a great time.