Ahn-Bao is 3!

The official celebration of Ahn-Bao's birthday consisted of a "to go" supper in the Mayo High School cafeteria, conveniently located near Elias' wrestling practice on February 17, 2009. Cake is not on the post-surgery diet, so Ahn-Bao enjoyed leftover egg drop soup from China Star, and a whole bunch of yogurt mixed with applesauce (one of his favorites). The other kids discretely ate Dominoes pizza (the Tuesday discount-special) in honor of the celebration of his turning 3.

Ahn-Bao had a package from Grandma Hubert including a cement mixer truck which was a hit. He also had a package from Mom and Dad of 200 foam blocks and Yasmin wrapped his favorite stuffed eagle and Webkinz polar bear, which Yasmin was willing to hand-down to him a couple of weeks ago. He was quite pleased with all of this. During supper, we were entertained by the Mayo High School dance team practicing in the cafeteria -- as Bob put it, dinner and a show, a fine birthday celebration.

He was also very excited about a gift a few days before his birthday from his very thoughtful cousins in NE -- a Lightening McQueen car!

Later in the week, Yasmin and Elias both asked why Ahn-Bao didn't get a cake for his birthday, and while they understood that his post-surgery diet won't allow it now, they are suggesting that he have a birthday cookie with Lightening McQueen decorations when his soft diet is over. They think waiting until next year's birthday is not at all fair, and I agree.

Measurements in the garage . . .

Annual photos with Dad's shirt . . .

Apple Juice shots

The last step to take Ahn-Bao home from the hospital is to get his pain controlled with oral medications and get him taking oral fluids so he doesn't need an IV anymore. We're at 14 ounces and counting as of noon today, so we're making good progress. Things are looking up and we're on the better side of the recovery now.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .

Bob is certainly doing his share and then some keeping things with the rest of the family on as normal a routine is possible, under the circumstances. Here's some of what the rest of the family is doing away from the hospital.

Bump in the Road

Early Sunday morning, Ahn-Bao had finally started to sleep well, maybe a little too well and he starting dropping his oxygen saturations just enough that they sent us back to the PICU where they could monitor him a little more closely. We went back to our same room in the PICU and spent the rest of the night and Sunday morning there.

We are now back to the regular pediatric floor and Ahn-Bao has taken his first few sips (out of a medicine syringe) of apple juice. A very good sign. He took his first walk to the playroom and enjoyed a few minutes of Bailey's Bookhouse. We're now back to the room for a nap (hopefully) and watching Cars -- #6. It's familiar, comfortable and a decent distraction.
Prior to bedtime Saturday night, Yasmin, Elias, Kia and Dad came for a visit and Dad even produced Ahn-Bao's first smile and laugh in a couple of days. They were a good distraction too.
After the family went home, but before Ahn-Bao decided he was tired, he had a delightful game of "book garages" and hotwheels.

Recovery In Process

We are so glad to be this far and have the surgery completed and so blessed to live in this town and have the medical benefits that we do. It is kind of amazing to experience healthcare as both an employee and patient. The Mayo Clinic lives up to the reputation as the best hospital in the world, at least by our experience!

Dr. Clay says we should not expect Ahn-Bao to want to eat or drink anything until late tomorrow and Ahn-Bao completely agrees with that assessment! He's on an IV for fluids and nutrients until he can swallow more comfortably and start back P.O. He is really wanting to eat and keeps asking for food but when he realizes it's going to have to be swallowed, he gets very frustrated. It's been a tearful night and day but it's going to keep getting better for him.

Thanks to all for prayers - they really make a difference. The photo is of Ahn-Bao being distracted by the movie, Cars, for the fifth time.

Update

He is out of surgery and for the moment has good drugs which are keeping him very comfortable (and asleep). Have moved to Pediatric ICU to keep an eye on him overnight and then to a regular hospital room for a couple of days. Its all up to his little resiliency to get through the recovery now.

P-Flap Day

Ahn-Bao went to sleep at 8 a.m. this morning and his plastic surgeon says he will wake up with the "mother of all sore throats" later this morning. He is such a great little patient and was excited when I woke him at 6 a.m. today - because he knew he was going to Saint Marys Hospital with Mommy - and in Mommy's car (which was the real attraction). He knew we were going to have surgery and the Doctors were going to fix his mouth, but I have to wonder if he thinks we are a little nuts to be fixing his mouth when there is to him nothing wrong with it. Other than a little fear in his eyes when they put the anesthesia mask on him, he was completely calm and he is such a compliant patient (has a little too much experience, I guess).

He had what looked to his mother (I am in the health care field, although I'm not technically qualified to diagnose) like impetigo spots yesterday afternoon (after the appointment with the surgeon of course) and so my biggest fear this morning was that we wouldn't get to go through with it and we were ready! But the anesthesiologist agreed that he'd get an antibiotic this morning anyway and that shouldn't stop us.

The great news from the surgeon yesterday is no casts this time (the surgical site will be too far back in his throat for his fingers in his mouth to be a problem.) But the doc says he will have the "mother of all sore throats," will be in ICU overnight and in the hospital til Monday probably because they've got to keep an IV in because he won't be wanting to drink/swallow, what/with the "mother sore throat" and all.

Here's a picture from the not so steady cell phone camera of him before surgery this morning. Will try to keep all posted via here or facebook as we can.