Here is Brayden before the flight
Brayden happy to be in the hotel room, after they had yummy Chicago pizza for dinner
Brayden had to be at the hospital at 6 am for surgery, when he got to the hospital he said, "toys." And he wanted to play, then he looked around the room and he realized where he was and he started crying. Soon after he was distracted with he ipad and was in a good mood again. Brayden also had a good time before surgery doing animal noises. When Geoffrey handed him off, he didn't even cry.
When Dr. Bauer came in to see Brayden before surgery and he said he looks terrific and the flap on the lower right we were worried about didn't need to move far so we will be fine. He told Geoffrey we did great this round with our fills. He also said if we didn't put the tegoderm tape on that area, it would have turned into a hole because that skin was wearing out.
Right before the anesthesiologist came into the OR, Brayden started coughing and he coughed up black texture that looked like ground coffee. Then he coughed a few more times and it was clear. They called a pediatrician back to come check Brayden out before surgery and he checked out just fine. Dr. Bauer said that could be an ulcer due to all the stress.
Dr. Bauer said he was happy with surgery and everything went well. He said Brayden would need another surgery to get the remaining nevus left but he can finish up without the expanders. He still has a little nevus along his butt and also up front and a few satellite spots that we want him to remove. Geoffrey and I don't mind another surgery, just as long as we don't have to get any more expanders. This last round was very hard on Brayden. He's at the age where he is so aware of everything. We are so thankful we started him at such a young age.
Geoffrey said when Dr. Bauer told him the news that he didn't know whether to pick Dr Bauer up and bear hug him or give him a hard high 5 but I settled with a firm handshake and a side hug. He is such a humble man and I guess the best way to thank him is to wait till Brayden is older enough to give him a hug and say thank you himself, I'm sure that will mean a lot.
We will be having Brayden's next surgery later on this year. This surgery will be much easier since he won't be getting any expanders.
Geoffrey went back to see Brayden and recovery and he was in recovery for 2.5 hours before they switched to a room for the night
Brayden was pretty uncomfortable after surgery and was happy sleeping and watching shows on the ipad.
He did enjoy some picture that night and a few bites of a banana and rice crispy treat
That night Brayden slept pretty good, he went to sleep at 9 pm and slept till 8 am. The next morning they got Brayden some breakfast but he didn't want anything. Then they were off to Dr. Bauer's office to see his nurses, Mim & Susan for his 1st dressing change. We were all very excited to see these results!
Brayden before at a few days old
Before surgery #7 when he got 3 expanders in
Expanders at full size before surgery #8
After surgery #8! Pretty much nevus free!!!
Look at these AMAZING results!
Susan said, "That Brayden tolerate the dressing change so well for all he's been though. The lower right back area will require extra attention with moisture since it was the area that was a little more stressed from expansion, therefore, a little more fragile.....the reason for the color and vascular changes. With some tender care, all should be well and she can't believe how far he's come."
After they left Dr. Bauers office, they headed to the hotel room for the rest of the day. Brayden didn't want to be moved. He was fine as long as he stayed in one spot and stayed up top of his pain meds. He didn't eat much the day after surgery. That night he slept 12 hours and woke up the next morning in a good mood!
Geoffrey and Brayden flew out that night and Brayden slept the first 2.5 hours of the flight and the last 30 minutes he was pretty fussy and ready to be off the airplane. He was excited to be home last night and the only thing he wanted for dinner was ice cream and this morning for breakfast I asked him what he wanted and he said ice cream please. How could I say no to that?!
Brayden still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, that dark area about the butt, part of it is peeling and it looks so raw and painful. It was very hard for me to see it for the 1st time last night, but just amazes me how strong and brave my little boy is. We will be doing dressing changes the next 10 days and also changing his 3 drainage tubes. Susan said to keep the dark area moist with lots of aquaphor, so that's what we have been doing.
Brayden will have his stitches taken out and also another round of laser surgery on May 21st. Until then, Brayden will be taking it easy so nothing tears and so he can heal.
My brave boy, only 3 days after surgery and he wanted to sit in his high chair and full of smiles!
Thank you everyone for your love and support this week, Brayden is one lucky boy to have so many people who have been praying for him. We are just so happy that we are getting close now to the end of his nevus journey and the best thing, Brayden won't remember most of this. We are so thankful we started at such a young age, it hasn't been easy on us parents but as a parent we wanted the best for our son and I am happy at how far we have come. We still have cookbooks to sell, if anyone wants one or knows where I can sell them, please let me know. We would love to sell all of them before his next surgery. Thank you everyone who has already bought one and supported Brayden.
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