Beginning down that long recovery road

                  The start of a new.

      Hey readers. It's Andrew this time. Katie is contently holding Connor as he prefers (she does too) being held right now. As you can imagine surgery is now complete  and he's fairly stable in the PICU now. The day surely didn't start to well as you may know from the previous post but as it went on more developed for us and it began to change. We eventually and gratefully recieved a private room where we could quietly wait in peace. We were greeted by his specialists one by one as they completed their agenda during his surgery. Dr. Smyth (neruo) came in and told us everything went beautifully and that his brain looked wonderful....say again!? It's not every day we get casual compliments on our sons brain appearance. But hey, thanks doc!! Shortly after Dr. Woo (plastics) came to visit and informed us that surgery was nearly complete and they were finishing up his incision sutures. He said the entire procedure had gone very smooth although he believed that Connors head shape was the most dramatic repair he's ever attempted. His tone had a boastful nature to it which meant he was proud of the work he had just completed!! I can dig it. We even had a research specialist talk to us about a tiny skull fragment that was not used during reconstruction. A research team in Seattle is studying the effects of synostosis and looking for anomalies to possibly detect whether this is genetic or try finding markers to look for in future patients. Apparently in the last three years of collecting samples his tissue is the first case of lambdoid they've recieved, we gladly donated it for research. We were soon brought back to recovery and followed him to his PICU room. Our initial peak at him was frightening as he vomited due to anesthesia and didn't sound like himself (we were warned ahead of time). His incision looks almost fake it's so perfect and the swelling is just beginning to start. One of the first things we noticed was his smell was gone, our baby boy who's swollen cheeks recieved many kisses smelled of hospital and nearly made Katie sick. We stepped away after a few hours to gather our thoughts and try to eat and upon return we see his nurse Allie holding him in her arms. I told you he's getting great care ;) ...and so here we are, waiting, rocking, just trying to ease pain the best way a parent knows how. With love. The whole day seemed surreal, as if your watching a movie that doesn't end, waiting for that commercial break that never comes. He's so very strong and his head looks wonderful I just couldn't be more proud of the two of them! The road were on is long and slow but his nurses already call him a little tiger. 

           In recovery about an hour

              His incision is incredible 

Just wanting to snuggle. My little man is             quite the fighter! Were all exhausted. Tomorrow brings a whole new day of learning and change so time for rest. Thanks everybody. Andrew, Katie and of course Connor!!!