Naked Neck Club?!?!
The day started out as a normal day in our house getting ready for a surgery/procedure for Sam. It’s routine for us. It always feels a little different when Sean is coming. If Sean takes off work to come instead of a nurse, that means the surgery/procedure is a much bigger deal to us.
Ready to be part of the Naked Neck Club!
Are we ready for this?!
Sam’s PTSD kicked in as soon as we entered the hospital doors. He continually shakes his head, waves his little pointer finger in the air and says, “Uh, uh!” As you probably guessed that means, no. He does a somewhat fake cry, grabs my legs, and burrows his head into my stomach. He lifts his head, points to his arm, grimaces, and says, “Oke.” That means poke. Poor, sweet boy knows exactly what’s coming. The only thing I can do is hug him and tell him, I’m sorry.
“Poke” No!
I have watched my son roll away to surgery over 70 times in his short life. Watching your child roll away to an operating room does not get easier the more you do it. If anything, for me, it gets harder. I miss the days that he doesn’t remember what’s about to happen.
BUT, today was going to be a good day! And so far, it has been!!!
About an hour after he rolled away, his ENT came to give us the great news that his airway looked good!!! He told us he would meet us in the PICU when Sam was done with his MRI and WE would get the honors of taking out his trach! Taking out a trach is not a big deal to us. We do trach changes every two weeks and sometimes more when it comes out accidentally or purposely. Naughty Sam. It’s the leaving it out part that is completely new. Gulp.
We waited about another hour before the MRI was done. The nurse came and got us from the surgery waiting room and we went up with Sam to the PICU.
He’s always a little groggy after a procedure, but it doesn’t take long for him to perk up. We got situated in our room and waited for his ENT.
“Are you ready?”, he asked when walked into the room. Everything feels a little blurry after that.
No trach!!!!!!
It’s been about eight hours since Sam joined the Naked Neck Club and he is doing great. If he does well overnight, we will go home tomorrow. That feels like scariest and most exciting thing.
It generally takes about two weeks for the hole to fully close. There’s a 50/50 chance it won’t close on its own. In this case, they will stitch it shut. Because Sam’s had his trach for as long as he has, it’s more likely they will have to stitch it.
This has been the weirdest experience I have ever been through. It's so surreal. I don’t even know what my emotions are.
Please pray Sam has a good night and even more for the next couple of weeks while we live at home without a safe airway. You’ve got this buddy!
Naked Neck Club
Sam Strong
Faith OVER Fear
