OUCH!

This is a photo of a sleepy Clepson putting his shoes on in preparation for leaving for the Surgery Center. I ended up letting Clepson sleep until about 8:00 this morning, so that he wouldn't have much time to think about what was coming and also wouldn't have time to get too hungry!

Clepson was quiet and brave on the ride to the Surgery Center. He was brave when the nurses took him back to change into a gown and get his IV. I was SO proud of him.

I told Clepson the story of a much younger Noah running from us down the halls of the hospital because he was afraid to have a blood test. Clepson found that very funny and it lightened his mood a bit. The staff and doctors at the Surgery Center were great. They treated Clepson like he was a prince and were very supportive and reassuring.

The reporter from the Bellingham Herald was the same reporter who did the super story about the Medical Advocacy Team last summer. The photographer clicked photos as Clepson was hauled into the surgery room.

Then the waiting began....... 75 minutes into the surgery, the coordinator came out. She was very quick to say that Clepson was doing well and that Dr. Ford wanted me to know it would be about another 1/2 hour.

As soon as Clepson was in recovery they came and got me. I sat with Clepson as he woke up and he was VERY frustrated about the bandages on his eye. He was desperate to see what his "new" eye looked like. The pressure bandage puts a good deal of pressure on the orbital implant which keeps it in and stops the bleeding. Dr. Ford and I convinced Clepson that it would be best to leave the bandage on and it will come off in our post op visit tomorrow.

Clepson had no nausea and ate his crackers and cola. He dozed on and off due to the large dose of pain medicine they gave him in his IV. After a couple hours they pulled the IV and let us leave. Clepson was desparate to see Noah and asked if we could go up to Sarah's house. I told him he would just be sitting on the couch and he was fine with that. I suspect he wanted the "guys" to see his dramatic bandages.

by the way Sherry, this sad look is for you! Clepson wants you to know how brave he is being!

We are home now and watching "So you think you can dance". Clepson has had a big dose of pain meds and is resting on the couch. Clepson gets to sleep on the couch tonight with pillows bolstering his head. The airplane pillow I have will stay behind his neck and help keep his head upright. This should lessen the amount of swelling he gets.

Clepson needs to spend the next two weeks at rest. We have waived all TV rules and he gets unlimited TV time, for which my children are eternally grateful!

Thank all of you for your well wishes and prayers. Clepson is relieved to have the worst of his trip behind him. I have promised pizza for dinner tomorrow night if his tummy stays well.