The End is Near

Cameron’s surgery went very well. Thursday we waited at the hospital ALL DAY for the surgery only to find out at 8:30 pm that the doctor had cancelled it (without telling anyone). I understand the doctor had to cancel, but how incredibly rude to not notify the NICU or the family.  My poor baby didn’t eat anything for 16 hours because of the surgery only to have it be cancelled. He was added on to the schedule for the next day around 3pm. Again, we waited for a little while, but not nearly as long as the day before. Cameron was a trooper. He was pretty content and would only let out a few cries of hunger. He was even pretty good when he had to have the iv fluids put into the side of his head. I definitely couldn’t watch this part… my poor little guy is so tough.

Going into surgery, our biggest concern was still him being on the ventilator when he came back to the NICU and how long he would be on it. We know Cam’s history of healing and getting comfortable with things.  Dennis, Nurse Megan and I bribed him with everything imaginable. This kid is seriously going to have everything and anything he wants… not that Violet won’t… it’s just already been promised to Cameron.

As we waited for the nurse to come get my baby to take him back to surgery, I just kept thinking how amazing my little boy is. He’s gone through so much and is still so loveable, content and cuddly. He isn’t an angry baby or a baby that is easily irritated or upset. What a great baby.

When they took him away, it was very hard to watch, but we were ready. We had been waiting to get this surgery over and done with for a while now. Dennis and I went back into a waiting room and waited…

It wasn’t long before I got a text from Nurse Megan that said “CAM GETS WHATEVER HE WANTS”. My heart stopped because I knew that this meant he was coming back to the NICU OFF of the ventilator. Dennis and I cried and smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. His surgery nurse came into the waiting room to get us and we walked our baby back down to the NICU to get all warm and cozy and clean. He cried the whole way back… which was KILLING me. I don’t think he was in pain… just cold and a little out of it. I’m at least telling myself he wasn’t in any pain. But his cries were so precious and I think I loved him more than I’ve ever loved him before during that time.

Back in the NICU,  Megan got Cameron all warm and cozy and clean and then we came in to see him. He looked great. We told him how much we love him and proud we are of him. We saw his incision and then gave him a bottle. He did SUCH an awesome job.

The next day, he was struggling to take some of his bottles because he was just so tired. They seemed a little concerned, but I knew he would be fine and that he just needed a little extra rest. I was right. Within a few hours he was taking all of his bottles and his breathing was great. They were comfortable enough to start weaning the oxygen a little the day after surgery.

We’ve been told over and over again that he will be coming home on oxygen. Well, yesterday afternoon, they turned off Cameron’s oxygen. His breathing has been fast at times and they are watching him, but so far so good. I’m SO excited about the possibility of bringing him home without oxygen. First, it’s one less thing to worry about here. Second, I’m so excited I get to see his whole face with no tubes or tape. Third, and most important, it means his lungs are getting healthy. He has overcome so many obstacles and he never ceases to amaze us.

So, I said the end is near. Tuesday. 2 days from today. Tuesday is the day Cameron is scheduled to come home. Tuesday is the day that I will leave the hospital with the rest of my heart. Tuesday is the day that I will finally feel complete and be able to have my family at home where they belong. Tuesday.

I’m so excited to blog about his homecoming. I’m hoping I will be doing that within the next couple of days.

Violet is doing great at home. She slid right in and fits perfectly. I have no doubts that she’ll show Cameron the ropes and always be looking out for him. I can’t wait to watch them grow and thrive. Every day with them is a blessing. I look forward to every single second of the rest of my life with them.