Jonah's Surgery

As you know from my previous post, Jonah was getting pretty anxious as he knew the day of his surgery was quickly approaching.  After his melt-down and our subsequent conversation afterwards, he seemed to be doing better.  This morning when we woke him up, he seemed okay but after he changed into his clothes he planted his feet in the hallway and seemed to become a statue.  I am not sure what he was thinking but I assumed he was realizing that the moment had arrived and maybe he was trying to assess the possibility of making an escape.

Rees, wanting to assure his confidence for the 100th time, made the statement ... (AGAIN) ... that "Rees stay Grandma-Grandpa.  Jonah go hospital."

Well, ... THAT DID IT!

Jonah broke down in tears and labored sobbing.  He was inconsolable but Baba carried him around trying to comfort him as he gathered up the last of our things to take with us.

A dear friend came to help the other children start their day (Thank-you so much, Royce!!) and we were off!

Jonah cried for about ten minutes in the car.  I sat in the seat next to his and held onto him; he placed both his hands around mine as if to know for certain that it was there.  We stayed that way until we arrived at the hospital.

It is amazing to me that such a simple gesture has meant so much to both our boys but it was our intent that the gesture ... to let them know that we would be there to hold their hands ... would be a comfort to them ... to let them know "we are there." 

WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN HOLD OF WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE. 

Once at the hospital, Jonah was very calm and very cooperative.

He even got quite playful with Baba ... giddy even ... and that was BEFORE the 'goofy juice'.

Mama was able to get in on the "giddy" too!

He's such a sweet boy!  He's been doing his best to learn and to grow and to acclimate ... it really is amazing how far he's come in only five months.  We are so proud of him and SO EXCITED to watch the unfolding of the plans that God has for him.

When he got the "goofy juice", he didn't make the YUCK face like we expected!

He didn't even get goofy ... sorry folks!  

He DID get even more calm, though ...

After getting the medicine but prior to taking him to the OR, Anesthesiology Staff came to give Jonah a special breathing treatment.

Due to the structure and size of Jonah's mouth and the very short length of his lower jaw, they are presented with several challenges in placing the breathing tube.  They put a medication in the tube which turns to vapor when the oxygen is run.  Jonah breathed this in for about five minutes.  He did so good ... taking deep breaths just like they asked.  The medication numbs the inside of his mouth and throat and also acts to depress the cough/gag reflex.  Also because the mask(s) don't fit his face exactly, they knew they would need to start his IV while he was still awake and run the anesthesia through the IV.  The team was very careful to take all these things into consideration before taking him to the Operating Room.  

This is how Jonah looked as they took him ... THANK-YOU LORD ... we needed this!!