I finally had my cleft repair on July 16. Mommy had to call the day before to see when we needed to get there and they said 6:15 in the morning, so me and mommy and daddy went down the night before. The hospital is in Winston Salem and that is about 2 hrs from our house. It is called Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. I stayed in the Brenner Children's Hospital there.
When we got there Tuesday morning, the nurses took me right in and took my temperature and blood pressure. After that they gave mommy this funny gown with no back to put on me. Then, we went to another room with 2 other babies to wait for the doctors. The nurses took me from my mommy and daddy at 7:30. Then, I had my surgery but I don't remember it because I was asleep the whole time!
At 10:30 mommy and daddy were called and told I was in recovery and doing fine. Mommy could hear me screaming for her over the phone and she couldn't wait to see me. I got to go to my room around lunchtime and I finally got to see mommy and daddy again! I felt pretty sleepy and I was hurting a little so I didn't stay awake long. I had some oxygen to help me breathe a little and I had things on my arms so that I wouldn't mess with my mouth.
As the evening went on, I started having a little trouble breathing. The nurses gave me some breathing treatments but it didn't seem to help much. They said something about swelling in my throat and thick secretions in my throat. I was being stubborn and wouldn't swallow too. My throat hurt too bad and nothing they did could make me swallow!
After midnight a Dr. came in and looked at me. I sounded pretty bad and junky so he put a tube in my throat and sucked out a bunch of stuff. That helped me for a little bit and we all rested a while. Then, I started again so they decided to move me to the PICU just to be safe. The Dr. said that I could have constant care and attention there and he would feel better about me there. He also told mommy and daddy I may have to stay an extra night.
After I was moved I had a good night. I started breathing better and started using less oxygen. Wednesday morning, I was totally off of my oxygen and breathing perfectly. I was also a little more awake and even smiling a little. The Dr. came in and said that I could go home if I could eat. I took about 2 oz of pedialyte, but he said I had to eat "real" food. Mommy got me to take 3 oz of formula and we got to leave!
I was so glad to be home. I started feeling better and eating a little better. Today is the 4th day after my surgery and I finally slept normally last night. I am almost back to normal on my eating, but mommy hasn't tried any baby food yet. I have laughed and played today and even stood up and bounced some. Mommy says I drool a lot more than usual and I still sound junky sometimes because I still try to wait a while to swallow, but at least I am getting better!
I have to go back to the Dr. next week so he can check on my mouth. He told mommy I would have to have one more operation to finish the repair, but we don't know when. I hope it doesn't hurt as bad next time.
Here are some pictures of me after my surgery in the hospital. Mommy and daddy took a LOT of pictures of me, but these are the best ones.
