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Home Healing

We've been home since Saturday. Cohen is doing really well now. As hoped, everything resolved itself. Good thing. If it hadn't gotten better, the doc said we'd have to put a drainage tube in.

Anyways, he's looking good, running around being silly, just a little sore but I guess that's to be expected. He ran a slight temp yesterday, so we will have to keep an eye on that, but otherwise, yay! He's home and happy.

This week is such a crazy week... Christmas time is always hectic, right? Hannah has a Christmas performance at her school tonight. She has a Christmas party on Wed that I volunteered for and dance performances on Wed and Sun. Cohen has his IVIG on Wed. I also need to get the house ready for Craig's family. Not to mention I really wanted to get Christmas Cards and gifts out so people would actually receive them BEFORE Christmas! Oh, well. What happens, happens!

I keep thinking if I had more time, I would go all out like I used to. Maybe make homemade candy. Decorate the house so every single room has Christmas spirit. I might still make some candy. We did get some Christmas shopping done on Sun. And at least we got the tree up, fake as it is. I sure do miss that pine smell. It felt like I was putting up a piece of furniture. Definitely not the same. But... so much better on the allergies. And Cohen.

As for Cohen...

Sleepyhead squash-boy in recovery just after surgery.
You can see the Port a cath bump on his left side.

Still a little weak, but lookin' better. All hooked up to tethers.

I take these pictures because I plan on showing him someday how strong he was and how much he went through because hopefully, someday, he won't remember he went through any of this at all.

Hopefully, by that someday, he won't even need any of this stuff anymore.

Oh, and something else...

Two weeks ago, Craig had a Christmas Party in Stockton, Calif. His company flew us out for a whirlwind two night stay while Cohen's nurse and Aunt Joan took care of the kids.  I didn't take many pictures at the party cuz I was too busy having fun, but you bet I took pics of the family.

While we were in Cali, I got to meet my new nephew.



I am so happy for my brother and his wife.

Later that night, we met up with the proud new dad and big brother for dinner.

Hannah sent cards for everyone - this one was her masterpiece for Cousin Cody.

And below, my parents and my cousin.

My parents managed to get the entire wait staff and the other patrons to belt out a rousing rendition of "For She's A Jolly Good Fellow," for our very embarrassed server. She was a good sport though.  Hopefully part of her even liked the extra attention. :)

The next day, pre-Christmas party, I went shopping with my Grandma and aunt at the mall. My Grandma struck up a very lively conversation with a cashier who looked like she was ready for a night out on the town - or Bingo? - complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a purple feathered Boa around her neck. As we were walking away, Grandma asked if she had embarrassed me. I am the introvert of the family.  I shrugged and told her not at all because my parents had already broken me in the night before.

This Doesn't Usually Happen, But...

Leave it to us to be a rare case.

On Wed., I took Cohen to the hematologist's for his monthly hours-long IVIG infusion. The hematologist could not get an IV in. Let me repeat that.  The blood doctor could not access his veins.  Crazy. He tells us we need to have a port-a-cath placed in Cohen's chest so we can access that whenever we need to put something in or take blood out.  That way we won't have to try an IV with multiple sticks cuz OUCH, that's one humongous needle... He schedules surgery for the next day. What? Tomorrow?


There wasn't much time to ask a lot of questions, but I did ask what the risks were when the surgeon came over to discuss what would happen when Cohen went back. He never said that the needle could puncture Cohen's vein just above his lung and that blood could leak down, causing a weird sort of bloody pneumonia.  But that's what happened.

So what was supposed to be an in-and-out surgery has now become a wonderful two-night stay at the hospital. Since I never went home, I was actually still wearing the same clothes at noon when I went to pick Hannah up from school because I didn't have enough time to change when Craig came to switch with me. Ugghhh! Good thing they give you deodorant and toothpaste in those little parent care packs! Can you believe that I then dared to take Hannah to McDonald's to give her some undivided mommy play-time before taking her home? Grunge and all.

Hopefully, Cohen will be able to come home tomorrow. Please pray for this to all resolve itself. The alternative is not pretty. I feel so bad for him. He is sore and unhappy, but a trooper! It does not appear as though he is in any big danger, but they are keeping him for observation in case they need to take action. They will do another x-ray tomorrow.

It could be worse. Another poor mom's son had a bleed in his intestines after surgery and was gushing blood out both ends. I think I'd pass out if I saw something like that (turns out he is going to be okay - thank God for blood transfusions!)

Craig and I were supposed to go to a company Christmas party tonight, not sure how that will happen now.  Probably for the best, since the only pair of decent dress slacks I have (and had planned on wearing) lost their hem (screw expensive department stores!) and I just noticed it yesterday. I've only worn them once.

Besides, if one of my kids is miserable, there's nowhere else I'd rather be -- armed with plenty of hugs and kisses, of course!