Saturday, August 22, 2009

Second Day Post-Op

The first few days after surgery are always difficult and the past few days have not been an exception. Carter finally made it to his room around 8:00 P.M. on Thursday night. He spent quite a bit of time in recovery while they worked to control his pain. Dr. Paley reported that Carter's surgery went well. Carter ended up needing the knee reconstruction but at least we were able to get that done in the same surgery. Carter is ready for lengthening and we got a surgery date: May 13th!
We were hoping to get a good night sleep after the surgery, but Carter was nauseated most of the night and I ended up
cleaning up vomit. I am not, however, going to complain because I didn't have to do the laundry. Friday was just a bad day all together. (You didn't want this sugar coated, right?) Carter was very weak and wouldn't eat or do anything else. He didn't even watch T.V which is one of his favorite hospital activities because he gets to control the remote. I better understood his lethargy when they told me his hemoglobin was 7 (ten is the low end of normal). By this time Carter was very out of it and his heart was racing because of the low blood volume. This meant he needed a blood transfusion. I was scared and that resulted in a small meltdown. I wanted Jason to be with me, to ask questions that I had forgotten, and to help me sign the paperwork, but mostly just to be there.
The transfusion went well and Carter has been getting better ever since. Both of us were able to get some much needed sleep last night. My cousin, bless her heart, sat with Carter during the transfusion which lasted from 10:00 P.M. until 2:30 in the morning. Carter was asleep but I felt better knowing someone was keeping an eye on him. I knew he was getting better when he asked to watch Sponge Bob. I was so happy-and that is saying a lot because I strongly dislike that show! He has started to eat a little bit and his color is looking better. He was also able to get out of bed today and sit in the wheelchair for an hour. It wasn't the most pleasant hour but he did it. They gave him a "first time out of bed" certificate but he thinks he is too old for stuff like that! He is such a cute, strong boy and I am very proud of him.
We are anticipating a Monday discharge from the hospital. From there we will be transported to the Residence Inn. The clinic will provide daily transportation to physical therapy. If Carter is doing well we will try to get together with Aunt Cindy's family next weekend. We fly home on September 5th...yeah!
Carter loves hearing the comments so I will continue to read them to him. Feel free to send him a message, I know he will enjoy it. Carter and I send our thanks for your love, support and prayers.

POSTED BY MOM

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey buddy its uncle Jake!!
I'm glad to hear the surgery went well, and that you are doing good! Guess what? I just found out that in March I’m going to Afghanistan crazy huh? So very soon I will come back to Utah and visit you!! Good luck with physical therapy and keep being a really strong boy!!
Aunt Caitlin and I wish you the very best, we love you and can’t wait to see you soon!
(Ask your mom to give you her phone and give me a call bud)
Love Uncle Jake

Ty and Juju Brown said...

We are so excited you are done with that surgery and are doing good! We can't wait to see you again when you get back! We love you very much. Uncle Ty, Aunt Julia and cousins, Mina, Trevor and Amelia

MaloneDad said...

Carter - Joy, Jillian and I have been reading the blog, but just today figured out how to post a comment! Guess we are not too smart. We are so proud of you. You are a special young man! We saw the pictures you took - very funny. You take pictures just about as funny as the ones Joy takes of herself.

Joy and Jillian started school on Monday. Can you believe Jillian is in high school - me neither. Can not believe you went all the way to Florida for surgery just to miss some school!

Keep getting better and we are anxious for when you get home.

Love you - Grandpa Malone

Joy Malone said...

Carter,
I hope everything is going well. Stay strong buddy :) I love you bunches! I can't wait for you to come home so I can visit you!! Guess what? I have a funny story to tell you..My friend and I were in Florida, he wanted to race into the pool so we both started running as fast as we could! And I BEAT my friend into the pool!! He was SOO mad :) I love you Carter! I love you too Jamie!
-Aunt Joy :)

DG said...

Hey Carter!
I hope you're feeling better. I miss you at school. My teacher is Mr. Condie. I saw Catalin there and she tried to chase me and kill me. I was scared :)
I can't wait for you to get back so we can play.
See you soon!
Zach Gines.

Tyler and Jess said...

CARTER BOY!!! I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better! It was so good to see you on the web cam yesterday. I miss your smile and all your funny jokes. You are such an amazing boy! I'm so proud to be your aunt! Love you lots and lots! Good luck with PT. Keep strong and happy! See you soon bud!

Tyler and Jess said...

From Caitlin (word for word)

Dear Carter,

How are you doing on your leg surgery? I really hope you get back soon because you are the best brother. Get back on your feet soon. You are the best brother for letting me play with your toys and playing with me.

Love,

Caitlin

P.S. I'll miss you. Tell mom she has an envelope, at home for her, at the house when you guys get back.

Anonymous said...

Carter,

I hope everything went okay with physical therapy today. You're being so strong and I'm so impressed by how tough you are!

Jamie, the packages to Colby and Caitlin went out today, and the post office lady said they should arrive Wednesday.

We can't wait to see both of you this weekend. Get ready for the drive across the state - there are A LOT of cows on the way.

Love,
Jenn (Willis) Kelly

Kassie Jane said...

Carter,
You are awesome! Remember that lots and lots of people love you and are praying for you. I think you are so funny and have the best smiles and cute dimples to boot. Keep smiling! I love you and cant's wait to see you. Love Aunt Laura

Alef89 said...

Carter, i'm Alessandro.
I live in Venice, Italy.
I saw by casualty this blog about your problem and i thought, if this can help you, being your friend.
i have messenger, my contact is zar.ale.89@hotmail.it, you can add me!
Best wishes,
Alessandro