Victors surgery

Before, After, and in the car on the way home

Today we had Victors herniated belly button operated on and he came through like a champ. What a great kid. He was all smiles beforehand and very cooperative. Not a nervous bone in his body. The blood pressure had to be done twice since it wasn't used to registering one so low. It took a while before the "lala land" juice kicked in but they waited until he was out to do his IV and such so he was fine. The surgery went well and there was nothing protruding through that needed to be fixed so they tightened up the skin after removing a little tissue that was in the way. It was really great to be able to pray with the doctor prior to the surgery. The doctor that did the operation helped with the Shoemaker performance at one of the churches this past weekend and is a close friend of one of the couples in our Heart for Orphans group so we knew Victor was in good hands. Coming out of the anesthesia was a little difficult since mama couldn't go back right away because Vanya was with me. When they let us go back he was crying and obviously in pain but he said it was the IV that hurt and not his belly. Understandably so since his arm is so little and they were giving him some pain medicine through it. I guess that feeling scared him a little but after the medicine got through he calmed down a little and was even smiling before we got him up and ready to get dressed. Overall he did a great job and we are very proud of how brave he is. Way to go Veech! The nurses were wonderful and so kid friendly it was great. They gave Vanya a ride in the wagon and one of the nurses even held him a while while I was holding Victor. They both got to go to the hospital in their PJ's and slippers so they thought that was just really cool! They both got coloring books and surgery hats and and ankle bracelet. They even sent one of each home for Yuri so he wouldn't feel left out.
Yuri still has some fairly significant separation anxiety when mama goes somewhere without him. We really pray that he is able to overcome this fear of being left somewhere. We explain it to him every time and sometimes he is OK with it and other times he has what amounts to a panic attack and it is pretty scary for all who are involved. Thank goodness for our neighbors the Morrows who watched Yuri this morning before school. Once he got settled in they called and said he was fine so I felt better then and was able to focus on Victor.
SO far the recovery is going well but Victor hasn't even slept a little since getting home. They expected that he would sleep the rest of the day but he is already asking to go outside even though his incision hurts a little. What a trooper. Even though I can't let him go outside he is enjoying getting to watch movies and have whatever he wants to eat and drink. He has come such a long way from the little boy we met in Molachansk. Always trying to please and behave and such a joy to watch play and smile.
Tired but loving all my boys (even the big one),
mama mama mama