Surgery Update

Wesley had his tracheostomy on Tuesday 3/17 at about 5:00pm. Not a great way to spend his first St. Patty's Day, but at least we are moving on to another chapter in his life. He weighed 10 lbs 8.2 oz the night before surgery, down from 10 lbs 12.3 a few nights prior. He will probably remain about the same weight if not lose a little due to the surgery. He is off all feedings, but he is receiving IV fluids. The surgery itself was about 45 minutes and went as well as could be expected. He has been in a lot of pain, so the nurses have kept him on a lot of pain medications as well as a paralytic. He tried to pull out the trach a few times during the first 24 hours after surgery. Obviously, it needs some time to heal, so they had to try to keep him sleeping and not moving for the first few days.They took him off the paralytic today with the intent to have him start breathing on his own again. It breaks my heart to see him how he is right now. Monday night before the surgery, he was full of smiles. He is just now starting to smile, so I don't know when we will get to see another smile. The realization is starting to sink in that we will not hear his little voice again for at least a year. I am trying not to second guess myself about this surgery. I know it is supposed to be in his best interest, but it is killing me to see him so miserable. I really just want to fast forward about a week and see him acting more like himself. Please keep him in your prayers, he needs strength and comfort right now.