Surgery News (Update for February 10, 2016)

Waiting at the doctor's office.

I was waiting anxiously to hear from Bridget today, hoping for good news with Sam's doctor visit ... AND no problems at all during Sam’s checkup with the neurosurgeon ... and his surgery will be scheduled within 3 to 4 weeks, depending on OR availability. This surgery will be to return his left skull flap, which is currently stored away at the hospital, back into his skull, and he will be whole again. The fact that I have to say that and think it AND that we are talking about my son’s fragile head is almost too much to bear. I am sad that I have to worry about it, but happy for modern medicine. We are anxious to hang up the helmet. I think he should forever think of it as a badge of courage, proving he is a survivor. 

These will be slowest weeks of my life, but this stage is really almost over. Then, he can focus on total healing which means resting, reading, walking and returning to his normal, beautiful life with Bridget. 

Sam and Molly. Clothes, my fault.

When I know the actual date of his surgery, I will be returning to Portland for the surgery and to stay some time afterward to help Bridget and Sam as needed. Other family members, still to be determined, also will be there. Most importantly, Molly will be there. I’ve said before that they have always been close, and it’s true. I never had trouble when they were little when I asked them to “hug” for pictures or attend each other's baseball games or dance recitals, and they always are anxious to see each other when they are apart. Tonight, Molly and I "Facetimed" for maybe 1 hour. She is so funny, just like her brother, and she always makes me laugh. I can't wait to see the two of them together ... they are hilarious. 

I almost didn't cry today, and that would have made this a pretty good week for me. But I thought about this awful situation one too many times when I was talking to my sweet friend Wendy. Someday when I think of my son, I won't think about how violence touched his life and changed it forever, but I will think of the books he is reading, the classes he is taking and the fun he is having on the coast of Oregon. I can't wait. 

I have to mention my place of employment one last time. I can't walk down the hall without someone asking me about my son. They know Sam, Bridget, Molly and Weezy by name. (They already knew Dan). They are obsessed with sodium levels, and wonder if Sam's recliner has arrived (it will tomorrow). They wait anxiously for news. They rejoice when Sam opens a book. They are even learning to love the Packers. They are living this with me, feeling my pain and moments of relief. I'm not sure there is another company that offers this same sense of family, of compassion. Arkansas Blue Cross, it's people and it's culture, is for real.

Thanks mom. 

I received a gift from my mom in the mail yesterday. It was my favorite dessert ... Oatmeal Carmelitas ... which was a perfect treat during this Valentine's Day week. 

Thank you for reading this blog, and thinking of my precious son. This journey continues, but there is hope for complete healing for Sam.

CORRECTION: I misspoke in my blog the other day when I said Sam's sodium levels had hovered around 135 when he was in the hospital. That was actually the high end, near when he was released. The majority of the time it was much lower, and that is why it was a cause for concern. Sorry about that.