We are out of the hospital, and have a date for surgery.  September 24th.

Dr. David was very helpful, and answered all of our questions.

The surgery is a newer, less invasive surgery where they will reopen the suture and put some springs in there to hold it open.  That will allow the head to grow and to form correctly.  Then, four months or so later they will go back in and take out the springs.

The surgery generally means an overnight stay, and home the next day.

We had a much less emotionally taxing time than we thought we would, as it just pretty much was talking through two different surgical options and making the decision.

Other interesting things we learned:

1. you have to pay to park at the hospital, which feels conspicuously like double-dipping, since (to say the least) we are already paying these people.
2. if we were to give blood to be used for little Benjamin (in case of emergency), and then ended up not using it, they would charge us $250.  I asked if I slit my wrist in the office it would also cost me 250 bucks.  It’s my blood.

The surgery is now going to be on the 17th, with pre-op stuff taking place on the 16th.  That’s great news.  Less waiting before it happens.

Little man preparing for pre-op.

Blue Cross is currently denying the spring surgery, stating that it is too new or “experimental.” Please pray that they would reverse that decision. I have been on the phone with them for the past few minutes, in search of some answers.

If they refuse to cover the spring surgery, we will go ahead with the other, older surgery that is more invasive, more time consuming, and more expensive. The other surgery is called the “180 Switch” and involves removing the back of his skull and rotating it 180 degrees, and putting it back on.  As I said, it is a much more invasive surgery, will require a longer stay in the hospital, and a possible blood transfusion.

We are hoping to do the spring surgery, and will find out tomorrow when we show up what they are doing.  Surgery starts at 8:30 AM.

Pray specifically that the BCBS physician would call back our surgeon, and reverse the decision. Thanks. I’ll keep you posted.

Mom and boy before the surgery.

We just heard from the nurse, that the surgery just started. It will be 3-4 hours from right now until they finish. Keep praying!

Well, they said to expect 4 hours, but it only took 2. Benjamin did fine, and the surgeon said the only thing that did not go exactly as planned was that he needed some blood. All else went well, and the surgery was a success! They are in the process of moving him to the recovery room, and we should be allowed to see him in 30 minutes or so. Thanks so much for all the prayers!

Benjamin cried, so we all cried with him. We’re in the PICU, holding our sweet boy.

Our sweet boy. Pray for him to keep recovering!

Little man had a great night, but when they came in this morning and poked on him it made him mad. He just needed a little time with mom.

The Benjamins snuggle. Also of note in this photo is the full cup of coffee that was later spilled all over the floor.

We haven’t traveled anywhere, but we sure have passed some significant milestones in the past 24 hours. Jacqueline and her Mom stayed here all night at the hospital while the rest of us got some sleep. This morning around 8:00 I got here and later my mom got here and Jacq and Brenda went to get some sleep. Shortly after we took over, the nurses came in with the great news that his hemoglobin had reached a good enough level that he could be taken off of all the monitors and later today be moved to a regular room. He was not a fan at all of them removing all of the stuff, but now he is resting and almost due for some more pain meds. We’ll keep you posted!

We’ve got eyes open and no crying! The swelling is normal, and going down.

We just got our marching orders, and we don’t have to move far, just down the hall to B-603. We should be making the move in the next 30 minutes. Woo-hoo!

The doctor came in just a little bit ago.  The nurse just took out the last tube!!!!  Now if we want to we can walk around with him!!  Benjamin is steadily improving and we can go home today if we want.

Currently Ben is sleeping (yes, Jacq is posting this one:).  So, we have not discussed whether or not to stay another night or go home today.  When I say “go home” I mean go to Ben’s parents’ house.  Thankfully they live here in Winston Salem, so we will go to their house until we feel comfortable enough to head to Asheville.

To clarify…he did have to have the more invasive surgery (better known as the 180 degree switch).  BCBS did not reverse their initial decision.

It is comforting to know that so many people have been praying for him.  We have felt the results of all your prayers. I truly feel like you, as the “body of Christ,” have wrapped your arms around us through this whole journey.  Thank You!