It was leading up to surgery that we faced our heap of problems. After first being admitted to the wrong floor, (Baby dialysis isn't too common and only a few floors have nurses skilled to run the machine and interpret the labs) we finally found our "home" with our familiar nurses. The plan of attack for Owen was to keep him very well hydrated (but not over hydrated) before going into surgery. One of the problems with our unsuccessful surgery in December is the thought that Owen was dehydrated.
So, he was to get an IV placed before bedtime, go on a "low dose" of dialysis for the night, while receiving some fluids to get him ready for surgery the next morning. Unfortunately, Owen's all too cute rolls making blood draws and IV's very difficult to place. It is known that the floor nurses do not attempt to get an IV in Owen, they automatically called the IV (VAT) team, as they are the "professionals" as sticking hard babes. We went through 3 different IV nurses in 2 hours. They tried everything, warm packs, special needles special lights, you name it, it was attempted. After 7 attempts, the nurses said they had reached the limit allowed to "poke" and would no longer attempt for an IV for the night.
Enter panic...how in the world could we do the surgery if he didn't get his fluids?!?! Keep in mind, we were counting on using this surgery as our "trial run" for transplant. We needed it to go perfectly in for the surgeons to be comfortable giving him his set date for transplant.
After a long, long night of doctors in and out, forming plan after plan, phone calls to the on call doctors and nurses. We reached a plan: Stop dialysis all together. This would allow him to hold on to the fluid he would normally clear, in hopes it would account for the IV fluids he would not be getting.
It was a restless night, to say the least. My prayer was just for God to reveal to us the path we needed to take. I begged him to slam shut the door to surgery if it was not His will. I wanted peace the next morning, knowing the Lord was blessing our decisions.
Praise God, for His comfort and gentle guidance! When meeting with the anesthesiologist the next morning, he offered a new plan: to give Owen a sedation medication (Versed) and allow him to relax and he would start the IV. This was music to our ears. Normally, with children Owen's age, gas is used to allow the child to fall asleep before surgery. We were against using the gas, as it is also possible it played a role in Owen's SVT episode in December.
I left the OR holding room confident the Lord had chosen this doctor to care for Owen and the surgery would go smoothly. After 3 pokes, he had a working IV, was sedated and ready for surgery. :) So that's a total of 10 sticks for one measly IV....needless to say a new place is being made for the necessary IV use during transplant!
As I said earlier, the surgery went seamlessly and it only lasted about 30 minutes. Owen is doing well and was up a few hours after surgery playing. I was actually concerned he was overdoing it a bit, but the nurses assured me that he could do whatever he wanted if he tolerated it well.
A little extra, very, very exciting news....we just got the phone call that Owen's transplant date is officially scheduled!
We will need all our prayer warriors on their knees on Tuesday, April 3.
We are so excited to see the new life that transplant will offer for Owen. Thank you again, for all your heartfelt well wishes. I can't wait for the day Owen can read and see just how many people love and support him!
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