We are happy to report that Silas is back from surgery and coping well with his recovery so far. He still has a breathing tube, and he is connected to a lot of monitors, but he is steadily recovering in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UCSF and his surgery appears to have been a success.
Silas's surgeon accompanied him back from surgery and explained to us that the procedure went as well as it could have. He said that the pressure on his brain stem was very high and that he was certain that the surgery was necessary. He said that he was glad Silas was able to have the surgery today and that he could sleep easier tonight knowing that Silas was no longer at risk of a potentially fatal episode of apnea.
It will probably be a day or two before we post another picture of Silas. When he opens his eyes it's clear he's the same baby boy, but his face is really swollen from being prone during his surgery. He has IVs in both feet and is receiving pain medicine, antibiotics and steroids to reduce the swelling and aid his recovery. His eyes are still puffy and he has tape covering much of his face in order to hold his breathing tube in place. The tube is huge compared to Silas's little body and it goes all the way down his throat. As a precaution, a machine beside his bed is assisting him as he breathes, and his nurses come in periodically to clear moisture from his tubes. If all goes well he will be extubated later tonight.
Silas is clearly uncomfortable, but he is getting enough pain medicine to help him cope. His surgeon said his neck will be sore for the next several days, which may restrict some of his head movement, but he seems to be making a quick recovery so far tonight. He already has his iron grip back and his little hands started reaching out to hold ours as soon as he started waking up from his anesthesia. From time to time he sheds a little tear, which is heartbreaking, but has been patiently enduring all of the tubes and machines as we sing to him and hold his little hands. He is now sleeping peacefully as his nurses are gradually weaning him off of his breathing machine.
Silas is under close surveillance tonight. There is a round-the-clock nurse sitting at a podium outside his window watching him and a team of doctors ready to help whenever needed. At one point I counted 9 people standing around his bed. (It helps that they all think he's really cute.) We expect to be in the PICU at least through tomorrow and may get moved to the regular pediatric floor for the rest of Silas's recovery depending on how he is breathing. Right now we have a clear view of the San Francisco skyline out our window. The peaceful setting seems a fitting close to a stressful day.
Thanks everyone again for your support, encouragement and prayers these past few days. We are grateful beyond words.
