Post-Op Day 5 (4/3/11)

This morning did not start out so great. Poor Colby had not had a bowel movement since surgery, which was causing him to have severe stomach pains throughout the night. This resulted in very little sleep for all of us. They had already tried 2 suppositories and Miralax with no success, so today they went ahead with an enema. We are all very happy to report that it was successful. Once this was done, he was a little more comfortable. It doesn't seem fair that he has already been through open heart surgery, chest tubes, IV pokes and blood draws, and now he has to deal with severe constipation and an enema!

Chest tube is out!!! They pulled his chest tube around noon or 1:00 today, which also helped him get a little more comfortable.

With his chest tube out, he had a little more freedom to move around. He celebrated by having a juice box in the big chair.

We walked around more today, even though he protested the entire time he walked. He just kept saying, "holsh me!" It was hard to not just pick him right up, but we know that walking is good for him. We only wish he understood that everything we are making him do (walk, eat, poop, take his medicines, etc) is good for him and will help him heal.

Brody came to visit again tonight, and he was so excited to pull Colby around in the wagon. I know that this has to be hard on Brody seeing his little brother so miserable, but he is handling it really well. We are very proud of him! Jason and I talked just the other night about how lucky we are to have Brody. I'm not sure other kids in Brody's position would be doing so well.

We walked by Ben and Jerry's, so we of course got the boys a milkshake to share.

Jason and I have thoroughly enjoyed and treasured all of the cuddle time we have been getting with Colby. He seems to want daddy for a while and then mommy for a while...probably because he can't get comfortable, but I like to think it's because he wants to give us both equal time. I hope Colby always remembers how lucky he is to have Jason for his daddy. Jason is so great with him, and I cannot imagine going through this with anyone else. He always seems to know just what to say to keep me going when I am emotionally exhausted.

Today has been a very difficult day for all of us. It is extremely hard to see our little guy so uncomfortable and hurting. Watching him recover has been heart wrenching! As his mom and dad, we just want to fix it and make him better, but obviously we can't do that. All we can do is hold him, rock him, cuddle him, and pray that God will heal him and bring back that big personality and contagious smile of his that we miss so much. We also have to continue praying for patience while we help him recover, and remind ourselves that this journey is not a sprint...it's a marathon!