Friday, January 13, 2012

Mason Tanner’s First Days and Surgery

100_7972 Okay, life has been busy and I’ve got a lot to share.  I’m just now getting near a computer, we’ll see how much of this I get typed.  Just so you know I’m doing the typical mom thing – multitasking!  I’m reclining in the NICU with a sleeping Mason snuggled up on my chest while typing.  We just finished reading a few Beatrix Potter stories on my Kindle and I sang to him.  So let me back up and tell things from the beginning.

Wednesday morning we came to our hospital for Mason’s c-section.  They checked me in, ran through a whole list of medical history questions, drew blood, and started an IV in my hand.  I read books on my Kindle or talked to Jason trying to relax.  A bit before we headed to the operating room I got to drink this nasty lemon/salt mixture to neutralize stomach acids.  It was pretty awful.  Then we walked over to my surgical room. 

Jason waiting outside while I got up on the table and the anesthesiologist did my spinal block.  First a small shot to numb my back (it burned), then the spinal itself.  In a spinal block you just have an injection, no tube is left in the back.  It goes into effect very very quickly. From there I was laid back down, catheterized, and painted with betadine pretty much from top to bottom.  The thing I was not expecting was that I would still feel tingly somewhat, though once they had the drape in place and my doctor ready I wasn’t feeling anything.  My doctor was awesome.  Let me just say that up front.  He told me the plan, which was to take their time opening me up and finding the safest way to get Mason out while protecting his back. 

While Mason stayed breech he had twisted so that his lesion (opening on his back) was more toward my hip instead of facing front.  That made it possible for my incision to stay the traditional low, horizontal cut – a blessing for my own recovery.  100_7921 When Mason was out I still did not get to see him, though I could hear him.  The neonatology team took him right away to an area in the room to stabilize and get him covered in a sterile way.  Jason was able to go watch and take pictures while I laid on the table and got put back together.  My doctor was kind enough to do extra stitches and avoid staples so I don’t have to get things removed later.

Mason weighed in at 7lb 4oz and about 18.5 inches long.

Here is a picture of his back.  I’m sharing it because it is something I looked for online when we first learned of Mason’s diagnosis.  It’s a bit messy/graphic.  100_7914 If you look closely the thick red cord in the middle is his actual spinal cord.  Surrounding that is a little skin but most of the tissue there is the durum (sac surrounding the spinal cord and nerves.

Once that was done Mason was put in a warming isolette and wheeled over by me.  I was able to touch him a bit, see his head full of hair, and then he was wheeled away to the NICU. 100_7924 Meanwhile I was put on a bed and wheeled to recovery.  It is such a weird feeling to not be able to move my body.  No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t twitch a toe, much less bend my knees and lift my bum, which were the goals for recovery.  Over the course of 2 hours the numb sensation wore off and I did meet my movement goals, just in time for the transport team to bring Mason over. 

After getting an IV, getting stabalized, getting a priesthood blessing, and being tucked into a special transport isolette he was ready to head to Children’s Hospital.  I got to touch his head and shoulders for a few minutes and then he was taken away.  100_7938 It was hard to watch my baby disappear out the door.

I got put into my own room and the new routine began:

  • eat
  • sleep
  • pump
  • rest
  • repeat

The IV painkillers were doing a great job keeping me comfortable.  I had lots of people in and out of my room doing my own care checks and it seemed like nobody knew how to coordinate their visits, so I got a lot of interruptions to the resting part. 

I was able to talk to Jason and to Mason’s nurse and get updates on Mason.  One unexpected thing was that before Mason was even 8 hours old he headed into surgery.  Originally the neurosurgeon was planning to do back closure between 24 and 48 hours old.  Mason needed to have a plastic surgeon in on the closure and the only time one was available was right away.  So off to surgery he went!

He made it through surgery pretty well.  The creative sewing needed to make the skin Mason had cover his entire back left him with a scar that is mostly horizontal and that has ‘dog ears’, or extra flaps on either end just like little puppy ears.  100_7959 These will stretch flatter as he grows most likely, and if it hasn’t flattened by a year old can be smoothed out surgically once he’s past the initial baby growth spurts.

Oh, and here is a peek at his feet, though as he spends all day on his belly it’s hard to get a good shot to show you the clubfeet. 100_7949 All of this was done on Wednesday.  A very full day.

On Thursday morning according to nurses Mason was doing well, staying sleepy post-surgery but also handling the pain well without morphine.  They put a feeding tube down his throat because he’s got to stay on his belly for 48 hours post-op.  The first feeding he only kept part of his 8mL down (that’s only 1/4 of an ounce – tiny amounts).  The good news overnight was in his diapers.  Mason has been peeing and pooping on his own.  Even better, when he is cathaterized to empty out the bladder he’s generally been empty.  This is amazing!

100_7957 Mason finally reached 24 hours old Thursday morning and Mommy got a leave of absence from her hospital to come visit for a few hours.  This is fairly unusual and we were really blessed with doctors who made it happen.  The first few hours of my visit to Mason were spent talking to him and leaning over his warmer to touch and smell his newborn goodness.  Then a wonderful NICU nurse took the neurosurgeon’s restrictions and made it possible for me to hold Mason anyway.  Neuro said the most important thing was for Mason to stay laying on his tummy.  The NICU nurse put mommy laying in a recliner so she became his bed and he was lifted from his warmer to mommy’s chest for 45 minutes of kangaroo care skin-to-skin. 100_7963   It was heavenly!  His vitals stayed stable and he settled in for a nap for the duration.

Eventually I had to go back to my own hospital, which stunk.  I think the only thing that made it possible was that Mason was sleeping peacefully.  If he had been awake or crying I would never have made it out.  I spent the rest of my Thursday in the same eat, sleep, pump cycle, counting down to my 48 hours from surgery because I was determined to be released for good.

Recovery from a c-section so far isn’t my favorite, but it could be worse.  My favorite doctor sent his resident to make sure I was feeling up to being released today, with instructions to let me go right ahead at the 48 hour mark.  Yay!  He had warned me that the 2nd day is generally worse than the first post-op, and he’s right.  My incision does hurt more.  But it’s totally doable.  I was so happy to get the official release right at 48 hours.

Since then I’ve been here at Children’s with Mason.  He is doing wonderfully, so well in fact that the catheter has been spaced out to every 6 hours and he’s still emptying his bladder and leaving nothing for the catheter.  He’s also doubled his feeds today up to 16 mL (half an ounce) and seems to be tolerating them fine.  Our neurosurgeon wants Mason to say on his tummy until tomorrow morning just to be on the safe side, but I also was able to hold Mason again for an hour. 

Well, that was a whole lot of updates in one long post, and I need to get off here for now.  Mason needs a kiss!

45 comments:

  1. I teared up at the picture of the two of you snuggling. I'm so happy that Mason is doing to well. Lots of love. Michelle Martyn

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  2. I am SO thankful for all of Gods blessings in all of this!! I am praying for a speedy recovery for you both!!

    Love you!!
    Christina

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  3. AWE congrats on baby Mason. He is SO CUTE(: I am happy that everything is going so well, keeping your family in prayers...Thank you for sharing this journey, its amazing!

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  4. I let out a huge sigh of relief. Thanks so much for keeping us posted. I have been checking regularly. CONGRATULATIONS. He is beautiful and looks amazingly healthy. ((hugs)) I could just cry.
    Thanks for letting us follow you on this journey.
    Kisses for baby Mason!!!!

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  5. HOORAY!!!!! Hooray!!!! Mason looks so heathly and chuncky. My father would LOVE to have a baby with that much red hair!!! I'm so thankful you are doing well. I hope the rest of your recoveries go as well as your surgeries have been!

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  6. I am so happy for you that I had tears in my eyes. What a perfect sweet gift from God. He is perfectly the way God wanted him to be! I am so glad you had a good doctor and were able to break the rules some to help with the bonding. When my son was born premie I was not allowed to hold him for 5 days....that was so hard! Everytime I talked or sang his heart rate increased (I am sure from excitement from recognizing someone) too much that I had to be quiet. The picture of his back was hard to see, but I am glad you put it. It helps to see things, not just hear about them and I am sure it will help other parents faced with the same situation. Prayers and love! Carla

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  7. IM SO SO SO SO SO SO Happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything sounds wonderful! Man oh man I've been praying like a mad woman!! SO at peace hearing this update!!! THanks so much Tristan!! Relax!! XOXO -- Ohh and hes gorgeous!!

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  8. So so happy to see the update!! He's a cutie pie & seems to be doing really well!! Looking forward to the continued updates!! Still praying for your recovery, Mason's continued health & your family's needs!!!

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  9. Tristan, I am SO happy to read your update and SO happy to see that sweet boy! He is beautiful!! Does his hair appear to be reddish like some of your others?? His little face is just so sweet!! Continuing to pray for you guys!!

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  10. Congratulations to you and your family, Tristan! I have been waiting and praying for you and sweet baby Mason! Thank you for updating us! Continued prayers...

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  11. He's beautiful! I'm so glad everything worked out so well. Thank you for the update and the pictures.

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  12. Congratulations Tristan! He is beautiful and my kids enjoyed seeing photos of him as well. Our oldest, Dallin, fasted for him last Sunday and has been interested in his story. We are in the moundbuilders ward and I work in primary with your Mom. Thank you for the update! We look forward to bringing your children dinner sometime next week.

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  13. God is wonderful! What a beautiful blessing you have there. You all will be in our prayers.
    God Bless

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  14. He is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Congratulations! So glad you are released and doing so well. He is just adorable and I LOVE his red hair!! Keep yourself rested and healthy. I am so glad that you have doctors and nurses who are so helpful.
    Shelly

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  15. Thank you so much for taking the time to update! I know it isn't easy! We are so happy that Mason and you seem to be recovering well! What a tremendous blessing! Thank you also for your pictures, they were heartwarming and very informative. Take care you two! You're in our prayers!

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  16. What a beautiful baby Mason is! Congratulations and thank you for the update. I'm so happy to see that he's doing so well! We will keep you in our prayers.

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  17. Congratulations! he's beautiful! I'm so glad you're both doing well and I look forward to more updates!! Still praying for you both.

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  18. Mason is so adorable and sweet. He has been through a lot since his birth. He is here!!!! Take life one moment at a time

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  19. Oh, he's soooo precious!!! Give him a snuggle for me! Will be continuing to pray!

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  20. Congratulations!!!!! Mason is such a beautiful baby! He looks perfect! He IS perfect! YOU did amazing! The Lord is watching over you all! Thank you for sharing your journey.

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  21. He is such a beautiful boy! So glad you are both recovering well!

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  22. So happy to hear an update! He is beautiful and you are doing wonderfully!

    Blessings
    Mrs. White

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  23. Sounds like things are going great!

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  24. I've been checking for updates several times daily! I am so happy you posted and even more thrilled at how blessed you all are! Mason is adorable! Congratulations!

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  25. Congratulations! He is so adorable. Right now I am typing this with my own little 11-day old boy sleeping on my chest, so I can totally share the bliss you are feeling to finally hold your little bundle. What a little miracle each one is, huh?! I'm so glad you are recovering so well. Mason and your family continue to be in my prayers, and I'm glad to read he is feeding well and for the little blessings you can appreciate along this journey.
    Christine

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  26. He so so beautiful. Such a sweet little face he has. Glad you are doing well and are able to be with him!

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  27. Congrats on your beautiful baby boy! So glad he is doing so well after surgery.

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  28. Congratulations! He is such a beautiful baby!

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  29. Congratulations!!! He is such a beautiful baby. I hope everything continues to go well with both of you. :)

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  30. What a wonderful update! I got teary eyed looking at the pictures. What a sweet,sweet baby. Thank you for sharing your journey.

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  31. He is absolutely beautiful, and you've had so very many blessings already! I'm weeping with joy for you.

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  32. Congratulations on your precious boy! May God richly bless his life.

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  33. He is truly one of the most handsome little babies I have seen. He is adorable. Congratulations! Good Luck and God Bless with what is ahead for Mason and the Family.

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  34. Congratulations he's beautiful! I'm so glad that he is doing so well. Continued thoughts and prayers sent your way.

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  35. Tristan, I am soo rooting & praying for little Mason and for you & Jason too! This is all great news! He is a fighter! Thank you for the pics! You bring tears to my eyes talking about the desire to hold your baby & not to be apart from him....this is a hard thing for a mommy! Thanks for sharing & we will continue our prayers!

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  36. I could literally feel the love you have for Mason as I read...he is so blessed to have you as his mother Tristan. I'm so happy that the surgery went well and that you both are recovering. What a special little one you have. I can't wait to meet him!
    Love,
    Jenn

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  37. Thank you for taking the time to post. He is beautiful. I'm so glad you are together, and he is stable.

    We have been praying for you all week. I'm so glad for this update - seeing you and your sweet boy together brought tears to my eyes.

    I also thought, as I was reading - this blog, and especially this post will be such a blessing to other families. Mason has already touched so many lives, and he is only a few days old!

    xo - Catherine

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  38. Recovering from a csection is rough (I had three)...and I am praying for your sweet baby. So thankful you have such amazing Dr.s.....

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  39. Oh, Tristan - Mason is PERFECT! He just has the most adorable little face! I'm so thrilled to finally hear of his arrival. I'll be watching for further updates and pictures. Sending love your way from PA.

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  40. Tristan, he is wonderful! I am so amazed by everything you and the doctors are doing. I will be praying. Thank you for sharing and blessings on your family!!

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  41. What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing. I felt like I was sitting there listening to you. I teared up when I read "It was hard to watch my baby disappear out the door." as I can't imagine that agony you must have felt to be apart from him. The picture of you holding him on your chest is perfectly precious! My prayers are going out for Mason's full recovery! God Bless!

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  42. Congratulations! Mason is a beautiful child. Will be praying for your recovery (and his continued progress).

    {{{hugs}}}
    Jean

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  43. So glad to see your updates! We will continue to pray here. :) Ami

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  44. Congratulations on your beautiful little man! I'm so glad that things are going well!
    Best wishes!
    Jennifer
    PS Friday morning I found out that I'm pregnant with #5, due on 9/20/12 :o)

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  45. Tristan, he is beautiful! Congratulations! He is very blessed to have such a loving and caring mama. :) So happy that the birth and the surgery went well and so quickly, that you get to be near him and that you are able to pump to feed him. He's truly a beautiful baby. Praise our Heavenly Father for working all the details out so perfectly. And welcome to the world, Mason!

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