What a difference a week makes...

     Last week at this time, we were still trying to wrap our heads around the new diagnosis of Tracheal Stenosis and just hoping that we could make it to our appointment.  We had found a support group on Facebook of people who has been a huge blessing, and a great source of information.  At that time the thing that we were most hoping to avoid, has since become a huge relief to have.

     The surgery today to install a tracheotomy went smoothly and there were no complications.  Instead waiting all day for it like the surgery on Tuesday, this one happened very quickly.   We had been asking all night what time the surgery would be and didn't find out until very early this morning that his surgery would be at 8:25.

     Chris's mother, sister Tammy, brother-in-law Mark, brother Fred and my aunt Gail and Roxann were able to make it up to sit in the waiting room with me.   We had told them where we would be, but similar to his neuro surgery no one ever came and gave us an update which is pretty frustrating.  They however were taking care of him and that's what matters.

      Was able to come down and find him awake, he'd been back in the room about a half an hour.   Was a bit groggy but awake.  He will have to learn how to speak again, so is still communicating via a pen and paper, but a lot can be said with a simple touch.  Likely not a day any of us will forget, having his mom here on Mother's Day and seeing them communicate by holding hands was priceless.









   

      After everything settled down, I got to spend most of my afternoon by his side holding his hand.  So grateful that I can be here with him offering comfort in any way I can.  It's been a scary week for both of us, so just being able to sit in a quiet room holding his hand was a memory to treasure.












      As the afternoon progressed the anesthesia is wearing off and they've weaned him off the pain meds.  They mainly have him on Tylenol which seems to work fairly well.  He's sore, but that's likely from being tied down to a bed for 5 days in the ICU.   With his airway now more secure, they were able to remove the restraints so he's able to move his hands again.  Freedom!

       After an insanely crazy long and difficult week, this Sunday truly was a day of rest.

      Tomorrow beings a new adventure.   Working to get out of bed and trying to work back to the basics of life and hopefully finding out what the next plan is.

     Just like this week, we'll take it one moment at a time.