One Week Later

Here I sit, a little in disbelief that a whole week has passed since Tyson entered the world of gall-bladderless living.

It's been a good week.

The stress level here is definitely lower now that the big day has passed, and of course, it's all made easier by the fact that Tyson is doing so fantastically well.  Laparoscopic surgery has to be one of modern medicine's better miracles.  He hasn't even needed any type of painkillers or anything since we left the hospital the morning after the surgery. 

If they could just figure out how to deliver babies via laparoscopy, we'd all have it made. Not that I wish I was having another baby.  

At least not officially.  

Nevermind.

We felt well prayed for - thank you for doing that.  

Tyson was an absolute trooper.  He was agreeable.  He was thankful.  He didn't complain once.

We made good time getting into Vancouver the morning of the surgery, and no matter when you arrive it's good to know that hospitals involve lots of waiting.  So we played a few rounds of Uno.  Lots of Tic-Tac-Toe.  And then the fun started.

And I don't mean the surgery.  Oh no.  There was still a good hour or more of waiting after all that preliminary weigh-in stuff happened.  But Tyson couldn't wait to wait.

I'd like to say it was because we are awesome parents who have trained our children, through our excellent example that being patient in all things is noble.  But that would be lying.

He couldn't wait to wait because he knew he could ask for a DS as soon as he was in the waiting area. Turns out they had DS's but no games in the OR waiting area.  But...he could play wii if he wanted.  

He wanted.

This is what I like to refer to as a side benefit of having an ogre for a mother.  By mother, I mean me, not my Mom.  She's way nicer than me.  I'm the ogre.  I say no a lot to gaming.  I think deep down he appreciates it because it makes gaming at the hospital so much more special.

He even made this face and let me take his picture.  

Pretend his face and not the rail at the back are in focus.  Thanks.

It's my favourite Tyson face.  I'm weird like that.

He chose to have Josh go into the OR with him.  They had talked lots about counting to 10 and suddenly falling asleep.  It was so cute, because the nurse assumed I would be going in with him, and so did I, because I am usually the one who does the hospital stuff with him, but this was a special day.  Josh was there. You could tell that he didn't want to hurt my feelings by saying he didn't want me there, but he thought it was awfully special to have Josh with him.  Don't worry, I'm not bitter.  I can't always be the favourite.

He fell asleep at "7", and then Josh and I waited.  And then my Mom joined us.  She's a champion wait-er.  She could give waiting lessons.  I love my Mom.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

Wait?  Does being married for 16 years and having five kids of your own mean you are already grown up?  

Shoot.  

Dr. Butterworth came out one and a half long hours later and said everything went swimmingly.  The relief was palpable.  

Of course everything went well.  I never doubted it for a minute.

No, not for a minute. Instead I doubted it for months.  Silly me. But I'm better now.  Again, thanks for praying for me as much as you prayed for Tyson.  You are all great.

When he was in post-op the only time he would talk or answer the nurse's queries was when she offered him a frozen treat.  It was quite comical.  Every time he'd give me this look that said  "Am I allowed??? Really???" I acted like he was being silly and should know the answer because after all, I always give him multiple Popsicles in a day, in case the nurses were wondering.  I smiled and said "Of course you can!"

Once again I will point out there are benefits to denying your kids fun things most of the time.  

Now in terms of being favourited, at first I thought it was so sweet that Tyson wanted me and not Josh to stay with him for the night.  However, it turns out the hospital cots were designed by Satan himself, and are made to actually prevent sleep and magnify pain of any kind, so I'm not quite sure what to make of it. 

But if you ask Tyson, he had a great time.

More Tic-Tac-Toe with Gramma after surgery.

It's true that being given Popsicles at every turn helps.

Or a snack of cookies in the middle of the night because your nurse just thinks you are the sweetest thing ever, doesn't hurt either.

A few hours after the surgery with "Teddy"

And getting a new Lego set and stuffy from Gramma and Grampa, and lots of little crafty projects from us, well wishes sent from  near and far, plus a few more presents from friends and family thrown in for good measure...what's not to love about surgery?

On our way home the next morning.  That's my finger.  I was there too. 

This is Tyson 37 seconds after we got home.

And we would be remiss if we didn't thank the wonderful nurses, doctors and staff at Children's Hospital.  You are all amazing.  You instilled confidence in us every step of the way.  And aside from being really great at "doing surgery" I think Tyson would want you to know that you make really good popsicles.