Surgery 2.0

It has been known for awhile that Benton would ultimately need surgery to remove his dermoid tumor above his eyebrow, but we had always thought we could wait until this upcoming summer.  Unfortunately once we heard that his hearing was ultimately being affected by the fluid buildup behind his ears, our ENT recommended that ear tubes should be placed sooner rather than later.  So surgery was moved up to December 18th.  Luckily both of his doctors agreed to do their separate procedures in the same surgery.  This would help Benton have a quicker recovery time and less chance for complications with the anesthesia.

Waiting to be taken back for surgery

While we knew that these procedures would be beneficial for our sweet little munchkin, I couldn't help but worry about the intubation.  As you may remember last September a little over a year ago, Benton had surgery for a gtube and circumscion.  Those surgeries went beautifully but Benton did not react well to being extubated post surgery and needed high flow of 12!  I couldn't help but worry that Benton would lose all of the amazing progress he had recently made in coming off the oxygen both day and night.  Each night leading up to the surgery I prayed and worried and worried and prayed.
Luckily on the morning of the surgery I felt peace.  I knew everything was going to be great.  Benton had the first surgery of the morning and we were quickly whisked into pre-op where we answered an endless stream of questions and filled out paperwork.  Then surgery was set to begin.  After half an hour the ENT doctor came out and told us the ear tubes were a success.  She was able to put them in and drain the fluid from his ears and also was able to do a bronchoscopy and examined his airway.  After another hour our occular plastic surgeon came out and told us the surgery on his tumor was a success as well.  The tumor had been fat and scar tissue and he was able to remove all of the fat.  As we were thanking God for a successful surgery we were called back to the recovery room.

Post-surgery still out from the anesthesia

As we rushed to recovery to see our little man, we came upon his room with several doctors hovering.  Never a good sign.  Luckily they were just afixing an oxygen mask to his face as he had experienced some atelectasis (i.e. small pockets of lung collapse).  This was exactly what I had worried about!  Joe was able to calm me down and showed me the oxygen wasn't nearly as high as last time and they were still planning to send us home that very day.  As we sat with Benton he awoke groggy and out of it and we began comforting him - this was the moment I felt relief.  Our little boy was okay.  He had made it through surgery yet again.  As we sat with him and gave him juice I will admit that I was still unconvinced they were going to let us leave since Benton was still requiring a small amount of oxygen.  But luckily half an hour before our scheduled discharge Benton was able to come off the oxygen.  Thank God for these blessings.

Heading home from the hospital and showing off his stitches!

Benton was able to come home the same day from surgery and wasn't requiring oxygen!  Every single day this little man amazes me. What a wonderful Christmas present to be able to avoid a hospital stay and get to have Benton home for the holidays.  God is good.