Take the bad with the good

We had a fabulous first week in Utah. And then the flu hit. First it was Brody. Then Vanessa, then me.... It continued through 10 of the 11 at my parents house. Luckily it was the "stomach flu" or more formally gastroenteritis. 24 hours and you're done but it feels like a week. It hit Benson as well. He got a fever of 101-102. He fell asleep on my dad's lap and then was given a blessing. Once again strengthening my faith in a kind, mindful, and merciful Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the priesthood. I can't imagine where we would be without it. Benson slept for three hours, I gave him Tylenol when he woke and the fever broke a half hour later. He was fine the entire rest of the time.

Jon drove in on Saturday and we decided to stay at his parents that night while my family healed from the plague. On Sunday, Jon and I left for Park City. His parents watched the kids so we could have a fabulous getaway. It was so nice to have some much needed alone time with Jon. It felt weird not having to compete with yelling and all other kinds of chaos to talk.  We did some Christmas shopping, ate lunch at a Mexican place, went swimming, sauna, hot tub, steam room, and watched movies. Then I finally decided I was ready to try sushi. So we went to Blue Sushi for dinner. I liked it but my fav was still the Hawaii Five O from Ocean  Zen in MO. 

We stayed at the Westgate Resort near Canyons. It was the perfect getaway. 

On Monday we met my parents at PCMCIA to get some labs done and then headed to City Creek. The kids loved all the water features and playing on the dinosaurs. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and then headed to Brady's. Vanessa went to play with Molly and we finally got to see Jenny and Steven's super cute house. Vanessa slept at Mollys and is sleeping at Brooklyns tonight. I've hardly seen the girl. She is going to be devastated when we leave her cousins.

On Tuesday we got up at 6 am and headed to the hospital with Benson. We had talked to him about getting a new belly button to make him strong. We called it Iron Man belly button. On the way to the hospital, he informed us he wanted a Raphael button. So Raphael it is. They were pretty quick getting us in and through. They said they needed to do IV fluids before surgery. IVs are usually done after induction because it's scary to kids. I told them it was only happening with versed. They gave him the versed, and traumatically got the IV. After all the tears, they never started any fluids.  I call that unnecessary but what do you do?

So back up with me a week.  When we were scheduling surgery they had a spot open but Jon wouldn't be here yet. It was the surgeon we had originally wanted. We tossed the idea around, Jon suggested coming ASAP. In the end, we switched surgeons and got a spot the week we were hoping for.  I can't believe i entertained the idea if doing this without Jon. Sometimes I'm crazy. Jon is always so cool and calm. And what a blessing that he knows all the medical mumbo jumbo and what questions to ask! I tried to listen but at this pint, Benson was going crazy and I just left it up to Jon to communicate with docs. Still no fluids going, we headed to the OR. I passed a hysterical three year old off to the anesthesiologist. It was a heartbreaking moment. I held it together until he was out of sight but this mommy did shed some tears. I knew he was going to be fine. I was just sad he was so scared.

Here's the little man in loopy land. An hour later, I was able to go be with him in recovery. He cried until I climbed on the bed and held him.

A half hour later, we were took a ride to our room. Jon joined us and Benson continued sleeping. I was starting to get concerned about the length of time fasting and asked about his TPN. It hadn't been ordered. Ball dropped. They were able to get it pretty quick though and he had it going within an hour. The next two hours were rough though. They thought Tylenol would be enough pain management. But it definitely was not. A little morphine and some oxy later, he slept a solid six hours.

I went to a gtube class at 4 and he woke up while I was gone. And Jenny and Steven came to visit.

They brought us all kinds of treats and a fabulous balloon that is Benson's favorite form of entertainment currently. I never would have thought of that! It's Monday evening. Jon has headed home to be with Brig. It's just me and the little man tonight. We are praying for a discharge tomorrow but we'll see what happens!