Tomorrow, Sam will have his forty somethingth surgery. I thought this string of texts between Sam’s teacher and I was kind funny and also shows our perspective on surgery.

Me: Hello! I just wanted to let you know Sam will not be at school this Thursday (10/3) or next Wednesday (10/9). He has a pre-op and then surgery next week. He usually recovers very quickly so hopefully he will be able to be back at school the next day!

Sam’s Teacher: Wow. Ok.

Me: Lol. After sending that…I realized not everyone thinks surgery is no big deal. My world is a bit skewed. 😂

Sam’s Teacher: Perspective is everything.

Me: It sure is. 😊

Me: And attitude. 😃

Sam’s Teacher: Amen.

When Sam was in the hospital a few weeks ago, his GI doc thought it would be a good idea to scope him after he was feeling better. They will look to see if his esophagus is stricturing again. Let’s just say, based off Sam’s symptoms, all of us will be a little surprised if Sam does not need another esophageal dilation.

Once GI is done with their part, Urology will step in and do theirs. This is the 2nd of Sam’s new diagnoses I was talking about that would need surgery. The doctors assumption was correct, Sam would be having surgery in the near future. We did what Urology said, and asked to have them scheduled as well. Quickly, the surgery with both docs was scheduled, which meant we would need a pre-op exam before then. How many times does one have to have surgery in order to get a free pass on pre-op’s?! Just kidding. Thankfully, Sam’s pediatrician almost always finds time for him in her busy schedule and we got the pre-op done.

Even though surgery doesn’t seem like a big deal to us, it doesn’t mean we don’t get nervous. The easy part comes from knowing how to prepare and what to expect before and during. We know how many hours before to stop Sam’s formula and when to start and stop the Pedialyte, exactly where to park, where to go, where the bathrooms are, what the doctors, nurses, surgeons, and anesthesiologists will do and ask, and where to get something to eat. Although a little nervous, we will leave the outcome to Him.

Don’t forget to say an extra prayer for Sam tonight and tomorrow!

Sam Strong!

Faith Over Fear!