Isaac's Followup appointment today

I have been a bit of an emotional wreck today. I took Isaac to his followup visit today. While we were there I worked on filming my short documentary. I was doing pretty good until his wounds started to get uncovered. First the doctor took off the bandage from his chest and it was swollen like a huge bubble on his chest, the doctor said it was full of fluid. Next the doctor removed the bandage from his ear; the ear was swollen as I expected and looked very painful. Soon it was time to numb the incision on his chest and drain the fluid. Isaac was crying from the pain of having the bandages removed and started to cry about the procedure being done on his chest. I tried keeping Isaac calm, but it was difficult because at the same time I am smelling alcohol from the numbing shot and watching it as it slowly enters his chest as I hear him cry. At that moment I started to feel nausea and weakness, I was overcome with all of the stress of thinking my poor boy was suffering with pain and fear and I could barely keep it together. I let the doctor and his assistant know I was going to pass out, then we hurried me to the floor and I immediately passed out. I woke up a little confused and remembered where I was. the doctor checked my blood pressure and it was very low, then my pulse and it was a little high. I was given a coke and some rest and I recovered. While I was recovering me the doctor told me Isaac had a Hematoma, a complication from surgery. I was shown the hematoma, it kind of scared me to think of what could have happened with that blood clot. Isaac remained calm the whole time I was on the floor and didn't cry, he was aware of what was happening, but was brave and helped me stay calm. On the way home I talked to him, he let me know that he was mostly scared and that is why he cried during the numbing shot. I knew he was crying from pain when the bandages were removed, but I didn't know when the cry changed from pain to fear. I am relieved that the shot didn't hurt, but feel kind of bad that I got so stressed over it now that I know how he felt. I don't like my kids to see me in situations like that, but he handled it well. To top it off, I seem to have PMS making it worse.

Isaac's surgery went well. The surgery lasted almost 4 hours. The surgeon made a few incisions on his left ear to smooth out any of the creases and curves, and he opened up a pocket that was made on his chest to save some cartilege for later. Isac took several hours recovering in Post-op and went home about 10PM vomitting half of the way home and then some more at home. The first 24 hours after surgery are always the worst. His main source of pain was the incision on his chest. Now his ear is starting to hurt more, although he refuses Tylenol to help it accept at bedtime. Isaac will have his followup visit on Thursday. It is had to believe almost a week has gone by, it went really fast. Isaac was still able to enjoy Christmas, and was happy with each and every present.

December Update

It's been a while since I have updated. I just wanted to let any of Isaac's friends be aware that he will be going through the final stage of his ear reconstruction on December 22nd. Isaac has been excited about his new ear. He is a bit nervous about the surgery although he is quite calm at the same time. Isaac loves Dr. Fairbanks and has complete trust in him. Isaac still tells me that he can remember spending time with Jesus, which comforts me to know that Jesus loves him, and has a special relationship with him. Isaac has stayed fairly healthy lately, despite his fragile heart. I will post more after his surgery. Until then pray that Isaac has a positive experience with this upcoming surgery. Thanks for caring enough to check on Isaac.

New Ear Pic

Here is what his new ear looks like today. His ear will improve as it heals. As you might be able to see, it is still a little swollen and bruised, but it is healing well. If you would like to see how his ear looked in the beginning, go to older posts link at the bottom of this page and keep clicking older posts until you get to September 2008.

Big Bandage is gone

Here is a picture of Isaac and Dr. Grant A. Fairbanks (the Famous Plastic Surgeon/sculptor) who has been building Isaac's ear since July 2010. Isaac is very pleased with Dr. Fairbanks and his work. Isaac absoluely loves his new ear and couldn't be happier. The previous surgeon was an Ear Nose and Throat doctor, who messed it up during the first reconstructive surgery. Isaac had his big bandage removed this morning, and I was able to see his new ear for the first time. The ear looks a liitle swollen, but it looks pink and healthy. Isaac is feeling great and is excited that his ear is progressing well. Now Isaac will wear the "Glasscock Ear Protector" for a few weeks until the doctor says for him to take it off.

Recovering Well

Isaac had his 3rd Stage ear reconstruction last Wednesday, and is doing well. The surgery took 4 hours. He had skin grafts taken from the pelvic area in two places, much like hernia surgery. The skin grafts were cut into almond shapes and placed on the back of his ear. Isaac complained about pain from his ear first and then the pelvic area 2nd, the numbing cream probably lasted on the pelvic area longer than any pain medicine he recieved during surgery. The first few hours after surgery were the worst as they usually are; he was vomitting constantly for several hours. After the Narcotics wore off he was much better and went home on just Tylenol and ice packs. For several days Isaac had to have Tylenol every 4-5 hours, however today he has said that he doesn't have enough pain to need Tylenol. He has missed having baths, but enjoyed a sponge bath the other night. Isaac especially enjoyed the part where I forgot I had a bucket of water on my bed and sat in it by mistake and soaked my pj's, the bed and the floor. He was laughing for a while, and so was I. Isaac has been out of the house a few times, and really gets the looks at his bandage. He is thankful nobody has laughed at him, and is confident enough to go in public now. On Thursday he will have the large bandage removed and have a plastic cup to wear on his ear called a "Glasscock Ear Protector". We are anxious to see how well his ear surgery turned out. Thanks for all of the prayers in Isaac's behalf, they truly have helped.

New Ear Surgery Date & Time

On June 21st Isaac was supposed to have his Stage 3 Ear reconstruction at Primary Children's Medical Center, however, an emergency surgery came in an bumped Isaac's reconstructive ear surgery since it was elective. Tomorrow, Wednesday July 6th at 9:45 AM Isaac will be having his surgery at PCMC, by Dr. Fairbanks. Anyone is welcome to visit me in the waiting room, I'll be there for at least a few hours.

Re-Constructive Ear Surgery Postponed

Isaac was scheduled to have stage III Microtia ear surgery tommorrow. We have had some delays getting it approved by his insurance. For now we will tenatively schedule it for June 21st and hope for the best. Isaac is a bit disappointed that it was re-scheduled, but happy that he will get to enjoy a few summer activities before surgery. Isaac loves how his ear is looking and is anxious to seeing it match his right ear. Dr. Fairbanks is Isaac's favorite doctor right now because he does such a wonderful job and is so nice. I am sure if he truly understood and remembered what Dr. Hawkins did for him, he would feel the same way about him.

Isaac's Baptism Day

 

Isaac had a very special and beautilful Baptism. He was a bit scared, but was brave and went through it well. Everything about the baptism was beautiful, the building was newly remodeled, the meeting was peaceful, had loved ones around ( in body and spirit) and it was very spiritual. It was interesting that Paul Cardall's nephew was also getting baptized at the same church a few minutes before Isaac. It was nice to have a brief visit with the Cardall Family. After the baptism we had a nice lunch with family and friends. What a beautiful sun-shiney day it has been, we hope the weather stays beautiful for a while. We have missed the sun.

Happy Update

Monday Isaac had an Echocardiogram and a visit with Dr. Puchalski, his Cardiologist. Isaacs heart function is doing well, it hasn't got any worse. He still has only half a heart and a leaky tricuspid valve along with some other smaller heart issues, but he is doing well. He is still getting between 85-91% oxygen saturation which is normal for him and really great. Dr. Puchalski says he shouldn't need another visit for a year. I couldn't be happier with this report, Isaac is a living miracle. Isaacs recent virus scared us, and gave us lots of stress, however it is normal to see in heart kids. We are thankful we have had the last eight years with him. Isaac has helped us realize how blessed we truly are. We look forward to many more years with Isaac and are excited to see him grow and develop. We have learned to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, and don't regret this journey in the least.

March Update 2011

Currently Isaac is doing well other than having the stomach flu off and on for over a week. I will double check with the Pediatrician to see if there is any concern with having this flu for so long. Isaac still has two more stages of ear surgery, next one will be done probably in May 2011. Isaac will be getting Baptized soon, if you are interested in coming, please contact me. We are currently still making arrangements for a date. Thanks for caring about Isaac & checking in on him.