Caping on

Today was our follow up appointment with ENT since we were discharged from the hospital last week.  During the course of the last week, I have been cleaning his wound site twice a day and applying a new dressing each time, as well as changing the packing every 1 1/2 to 2 days.  It is obvious that the wound is healing.  It is not nearly as deep as it was.  Each time I change the packing, I am putting less packing back in because that is all that will fit.  Also, the wound is not as wide.  The hole is slowly closing.  It truly is healing from the inside out. 

I anticipated seeing the doctor today and she would tell us that the wound is healing nicely and to just let it be.  But as my mother says, she always does opposite of what I think she is going to do.  I guess that is why she gets paid the big bucks.  She thinks it will be a good idea to take him back into the OR and put a few stitches in to close the hole.  We discussed this last week before leaving the hospital.  She was hesitant in doing so then, mainly because the tissue was infected.  She was afraid that because of the infected tissue, and because of how much John moves around throughout the day, the stitches may not hold and it may open up again.  Another reason she was hesitant is because of the size of the wound and the depth.  She wouldn't actually be able to close it all of the way because there would be too much space behind the stitches and that would increase the chance for further infection.

The reason she changed her mind today is because the tissue is not infected like it was.  It is healthier.  Also, because the wound has healed partially, she may be able to actually close the whole thing and it would be okay.  It would only be a surface closure.  She also is concerned with what the scar will look like if we continue to let it heal like it is.  She thinks she can clean it up a little and make it look a lot better if she closes it with sutures.

Of course, she wants to do it next week and of course the only day she is in surgery next week is Wednesday.  That means we will have to reschedule our trip to Austin to see the Rehab doctor.

It is frustrating that this is still an ongoing saga.  I had no idea it would turn into the drama it has.  But just like every other curve ball we have been thrown, we adjust to it and move forward.  I am really glad that we are getting this all done before school starts.  I'm REALLY glad I thought ahead and requested we do the initial surgery 2 weeks ago.  Initially we were going to wait until today to schedule the surgery and that would have put this happening after school started.  This would have all just been a mess trying to handle if he were in school.  I am really hoping this is the last hurdle, that the stitches will hold and there will be no more set backs.

As usual, John has been amazing.  He has been especially giggly the last couple of days, even though he has been to the doctor each of the last two days.  He's the only kid I know that enjoys going to the doctor and starts giggling the minute we pull into the parking garage. 

Keep Calm and Cape on!