Follow-up visit

Today we are at Gillette for cast removal (done), x-ray (done), re-casting and a routine CT scan. Our two prayer requests at church yesterday were that Elijah would handle the noises of the saw (that went great --he covered his ears) and the CT, as well as that he would be able to get a swimmer-type weight-bearing cast.

It looks as if the swimmer cast is out because Elijah still has incisions that are healing, but the doc says he will be able to bear weight. We are waiting right now for the new cast (he says he wants green this time).

The CT machine can be intimidating--a large donut that makes noise like a jet engine warming up. Since Elijah loves Thomas Train so much, we told him to be a "useful engine" while he has to go on the tracks into the tunnel. He has been telling people about it, but we'll see if he is so easy-going in the room.

Ready to go home

Elijah is all cast and ready to go home. He is eating his lunch right now. Before he ate he prayed for safety for Caleb (who is traveling home from Cedarville, Ohio today) and that the chicken nuggets would be "yum."

As we wander around this hospital so full of hurting children and hurting families we recognize how merciful God has been to us. Elijah hasn't even cried through this whole process. We are thankful that God has chosen to work his sovereign plan using the effective prayers of his people.

Apart from our Master and what (those) he has given us we have nothing good. As David said, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places."

Thank you.

Getting ready for casting

Dr. Stephen England (pictured at left, our favorite doc) has given the O.K. for casting and going home. We'll try to get a photo to the blog of Elijah's cast once it is on. He gets to pick his cast color. He says he wants "dark blue" so he can be like Gordon (from Thomas the Train).

Day two

Elijah had a relatively restful night, with the exception of periodic wakings for blood pressure, temperature and diaper checks. He appears to be very comfortable and is taking only Tylenol for pain.

His toes looked a little swollen last night so he now has ice on his foot. Casting will happen sometime this morning, we think.

He has had some cell phone conversations with siblings, as pictured. It is amusing to listen in on a phone conversation between a two and a four-year-old.

5:13 p.m.

Elijah's stomach started gurgling about 1:30 and he successfuly devoured 2 graham crackers. Then came a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some chocolate milk. He was still calling for more when those were conquered, but we did not want to push it. He is now tearing into a tray with a cheeseburger, broccoli, a salad, an orange, celery sticks, bread, cranberry juice, chocolate milk and a cookie. He may need parental assistance on this one.

Thank you for visiting and praying. The three of us need some sleep tonight.

11:44 a.m.

We are back in the room now! Elijah is pretty straight-faced and groggy, although, as you see in the picture, he is a pretty good actor. The recovery nurse in the picture said he was both inquisitive and informative after the surgery. He was curious about the pictures on his diaper and let the nurses know when his blood pressure cuff went tight.

We will throw another picture on later so you can see the wrapped leg (to be cast tomorrow before we leave).

10:52 a.m.

Surgery is done and we have spoken with both surgeons. Everything went as planned (both by physicians and a sovereign God). We are thankful for your praying.

We would appreciate it if you would ask our Father to keep Elijah from infection. The urologist placed a catheter for a few days to prevent infection near the circumcision, but of course that can always mean there is a risk of a bladder infection. Dr. England also severed Elijah's fibula to make it go along for the ride with the tibial rotation. Again, more risk of infection. There will likely be a low dose of antibiotic prescribed as a precaution.

I will report back after we have seen Elijah.

9:38 a.m.

Dr. Wolpert the urology surgeon just spoke with us. He is heading in right now to start his work. We assume that means Dr. England is done.

9:11 a.m.

Surgery just called and said Elijah is stable and that Dr. England (ortho) is still working. We are guessing the urology surgeon was late because he was supposed to go first. The circumcision is likely a less complicated procedure.

Note the Hot Wheels at Elijah's side in pre-op. Gillette employs people in a department called Child Life who are basically paid to play with the kids and set them at ease. The Child Life specialist brought in "Surgery Bear" to pre-op to show Elijah the things that would be happening, including a sample mask and an I.V.

8:11 a.m.

Wireless Internet is nice. We are sitting in the waiting room for this update. Surgery started at about 7:45 a.m.

Elijah was well-behaved and not a bit scared going into surgery. I was allowed to accompany him right into the operating room. He was wide-eyed as he looked around at all the equipment and people (all prepared just for him). I held him and his mask as the nurse anesthetist cracked jokes. He went to sleep smiling.

Thank you for praying about the trip over to the Cities. Elijah talked a little and slept a lot. He said, "I'm hungry" once in pre-op, but we are thankful he is very easily distracted.

We have a pager and will get and report updates from surgery as they become available.

6:49 a.m.

We left home at 4:20 a.m. and arived at Gillette at 6:10 a.m. Elijah is in a great mood, impressing the nurses by spelling his name after seeing it on the end of his pre-surgery bed. So far no fuss about the dry red spots on his sides. We'll report later.

Surgery still on for Thursday

Surgery is still on for tomorrow, but Elijah does have a rash that could be a deal-breaker. We'll keep you posted. We are supposed to be at Gillette in St. Paul at 6:15 a.m.

I will seek to update the blog tomorrow as I am able.

Note the careful use of the towel in Elijah's homeschool science experiment. He loves to slide a chair over to the sink and make wet discoveries. At least he's neat.