It sounds like you have a great plan:) And as Linnie said my face was swollen too which you can see in the ICU pic. I am so glad the pictures have helped that is why I posted so many. My DD told me my brain was too big because I was so smart lol. The day before I left she asked me for more details about my surgery. So I briefly explained to my 7 year old and she said I don't the part about them taking bone out of your head .... I said me too LOL. I did skype her from the hopsital the day of surgery and everyday but by the time I saw her it was a week post op and I looked pretty normal despite the bald back of the head and zipper with staples.
I am happy to hear your going to wait to have your DS see you. Even for the rest of the family you might want to tell them in advance that you will be a little pale and might be a little swellen. My NS warned them about this because it is due to your laying face down on the table and the anasgesia. It helped my family be more prepared. Also I know here in MI they won't let kids under the age of 14 in the ICU so I would ask in advance on this also. You have an awesome son and I know your a proud mom. It's so cool to have such a open relationship with your family. I brought something to the hospital of my Grand kids so I could look at it every day. It is encouraging. Wish you and your family the best this holiday season. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Linda :)
Oh, I agree with you ...that it would be so hard. They all want to see me before surgery,and we only live 15 minutes from the hospital, so they will se me before, and then a friend will bring them home. We have code words like selma suggested and daddy will deliver the code words. When I am more awake and able. they will come to see me. I am very lucky to have the hospital so close to home. I thought it best that they go to school like a normal day, and then was convinced that they would be to worried to be at school. So, for that day, just a short visit before hand. I think that if they are at home in their own element....they will be much mmore comfortable. My son tells me yesterday that we need to make shirts to wear so people know what they are there for. too sweet. It had to be so hard for you to leave her. I cant imagine what that would be like. I would be broken to have to leave my sweets.
Thanks to you Melody, my son was able to see what my incision would look like through the stages of recovery. I didnt want him to be in the dark, and he was so intrigued. I thank you for sharing those with us as that was really helpful not only to me, but for him. Everytime you post a new one he wants to see. His first question was....are those staples mommy? LOL. He is such a good big brother. when the babies start to get loud and fight, he tells them...do u want mommys head to hurt...then you need to quiet down. But I do agree that them being there right after is a bad idea.
My 7 year old did not come as a friend warned me that I would look and be very scary to her and not be able to comfort her immediatly post op as you are heavyily medicated. I was very torn because I wanted her there. I was worried that if I dies I would not get to see her before. They had orders that if anything went wrong to get on a plane immediatly. It was out of state and I decided in the long run to not take her. I am only telling you this because my 14 year old although she was much better equiped emotionally I could see it all over her face...the worry. She sat down next to me in the ICU and immediatly fell asleep with her head on the side of my bed. I could see the toll that the amount of worry the extremely long surgery had taken on my beautiful daughter. She was exhausted and could not even stay awake to visit with me. To this day 2 months post op she sleeps on the couch next to my recliner. I cried when I decided not to take Laney and I am not trying to tell/convince you what is right for your family...just so you might have extra preperation if he comes to keep him busy or delay his arrival:) prayers and hugs
Ty both. He is a very special little man !! He has alwaays been so sweet. I know that knowing I am having surgery is hard on him...and he asked if he could be with me to hold my hand and make sure the drs dont mess up..lol. He has agreed to stay in the waiting room to take care of daddy for me, but there is no chance that he will go to school that day, He has already told his teacher that he will have to miss a few days when mommy has to go to the hospital... :)
Every sunday after church he would stand up at the alter and preach to us all, and out of no where he would point to one of us and say blessings or healing for (insert name). Sometimes kids are just so amazing. Seeing the world through their eyes for just a day would be amazing. So carefree and certain that all is good.
heartbreaking...this little guy is the bomb!!! i am glad you have such a precious family and a caring hubby.all my respect for all the chiari moms.
What a special young man you have there :) It says a lot about you as a parent to have raised a young man as thoughtful and caring as he sounds. Great job!
Thank you for sharing :)
u have every right to brag : )
This would have made my day as well...u r blessed <3
Selma, I know he thinks of it often as he has to deal with it everyday...Just to see what a sweetheart and good little man he is made my day. What more could a mom ask for?? Your welcome, I could not help but share it with all of you <3 LOL I dont brag often, but this time it was just a must, and yes I am bragging a little ..hehe
awww this is too precious....and it is pretty typical since this is what u r going thru that he would be thinking about this....that means, u mean a great deal to him as well as he does to u.....
Just too sweet : )
thanks for sharing....