Round 1 done....expanders out! Took it like a Super Hero!!

Round 1 is done now! Geoffrey and Brayden arrived in Chicago Thursday afternoon and my grandparents, Bob & Betty meet them in Chicago and 15 minutes after they arrived, Kate (Geoffrey's mom) came from South Africa.  We were so happy that Brayden had such good support, even though I couldn't go with them, I was happy other family could be.

That night they went out for some Chicago pizza and they called it a early night since Brayden had surgery bright and early at 7 am on Friday.  They had to be at the hospital at 6am and surgery lasted for about 3 hours.  Of course, I was a nervous wreck being away from my baby....this is not how I wanted it, but Geoffrey and I can't afford for both of us to take time off work, buy 2 plane tickets for Chicago.  So we are lucky that we had my Grandparents and Kate for support this time.  I know Geoffrey couldn't have done this alone. 

Dr. Bauer was happy about the amount of nevus he removed, he got a hand size removed.  Dr. Bauer said surgery went good and that his skin that he got stretched was good, healthy skin.  Which is good news since he had that infection on the left expander. 

Dr. Bauer also said that Brayden will need to more rounds of surgery...which means 4 more surgeries in Chicago.  Hopefully by the time Brayden is 2 we will be nevus FREE!

Brayden did so good after surgery, he is such a tough brave little boy, with all of this going on, he's still full of smiles.  It makes me realize, how we all stress over silly things in life and things like this is happening to my son and he still remains happy. 

Brayden, Kate & Geoffrey stayed the night in the hospital Friday night and he did pretty good, got some pain meds about every 6 hours.  Also they have to change his drain tubes every 4 hours. This is draining the extra blood/fluids out of him right now for the next week. 

Friday night, he slept pretty good and Saturday morning, it was time to leave the hospital.  As they were leaving the nurse was saying bye to Brayden and he let out a huge smile as they walked out of his room, it was almost like he was thinking, finally...I'm free and out of here! Everyone thought it was super funny! 

That say they drove downtown to see some of Chicago and went out for dinner that night.  They were all tired last night and they called it a early night. 

Today, my grandparents drove back to Iowa, we are so lucky they came on such a short notice.  Kate, Geoffrey and Brayden flew back.  Only bad thing was Kate was on a earlier flight so she couldn't fly with them.  So my friend Dita and I picked her up and took her out for lunch for Mexican food...then it was time to pick up the boys. 

It was so good to see Brayden again and he looked so skinny without his "bubbles".....when he got home, he just wants to crawl and he acts like he didn't have surgery 2 days ago.  It amazes me how strong he really is! Brayden will have a ace wrap around him for 3 weeks and at that time he will get all his stitches removed, which is a lot!

Brayden will let his skin heal for 4 months now and back to Chicago late Jan for his next rounds of surgery to get 2 expanders put in.  Only bad thing about travelling in Jan, is all the snow. 

Thank you everyone who was praying for my little boy, this means the world to us that we have so much support.  Also thank you everyone who had bought a cookbook and donated money.  I also want to thank my mommy group for those who want to help out.  We are so lucky to have such good family & friends!

This is a before picture

This is after his 1st round

As the hospital with daddy in my super hero cape!

Reading a book before surgery

Poor baby, looks like a zoo animal ;)

He really hated these arm restraints

Bob & Betty came to support Brayden!

Granny Kate came all the way from South Africa, she left on the next flight just to be with Brayden for his emergency surgery....now she is in AZ with us for 13 days....so happy to have her here with us