I am really sorry about not updating sooner.
Chris is doing pretty good today.
We were told by Kyser at the start of the day Friday, that because of the way the aorta was narrowed, it was a 50/50 chance of the need for a stent and an overnight stay. After coiling off some large collaterals and a few hours in cath lab, Paula let us know that they were wrapping up with the angioplasty and Chris didn't need the stent after all. We were grateful for that.
However, I felt very unprepared for the end result. Based on Dr. Kyser's laid back nature (which I like, don't get me wrong) and the whole 'this is a routine procedure' language of everyone involved, I was not expecting Chris to be in the shape he was in. The few hours in recovery were less than pleasant, and I would definitely compare it to being in ICU. The di
fference being that Chris was somewhat lucid. He was sedated and very grumpy, which I expected. Robert and I took turns holding his leg still for roughly 4 hours while the pressure dressing was on to keep his incision from bleeding.
After discharge, he was somewhat himself, though a much more reserved and timid version. He did vomit and ran a temperature, but he was still pretty perky. That night his fever worsened and he complained (screamed and cried) of pain in his chest and abdomen all night. We did our best to console him, with little aid from Tylenol, as we knew this was normal for the first 24 hours. I read and reread the discharge paperwork, hoping to gain some insight, to no avail.
Five days later, he is still VERY grumpy and complains of pain in his left arm, chest, tummy, and legs. He walks with a limp, and will not move his neck at all. His fever only subsided Monday. He complains daily of pain and will not let me pick him up because he says it hurts to do so. I am not sure how to get a kid into a carseat without picking them up.
After discharge, he was somewhat himself, though a much more reserved and timid version. He did vomit and ran a temperature, but he was still pretty perky. That night his fever worsened and he complained (screamed and cried) of pain in his chest and abdomen all night. We did our best to console him, with little aid from Tylenol, as we knew this was normal for the first 24 hours. I read and reread the discharge paperwork, hoping to gain some insight, to no avail.
Five days later, he is still VERY grumpy and complains of pain in his left arm, chest, tummy, and legs. He walks with a limp, and will not move his neck at all. His fever only subsided Monday. He complains daily of pain and will not let me pick him up because he says it hurts to do so. I am not sure how to get a kid into a carseat without picking them up.
So today he is acting almost himself. Being bossy, and theatrical. He doesn't want to walk much and has been taking pretty long naps for a few days. All the doctors say this is totally normal.
Based on this last cath, Chris will need another one sometime in 2013 and his 3rd OHS will be summer of 2014.
We are very grateful to all of you for your prayers. I know that they are what gets us through. We love you and I will update you further as time goes on.
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