Just the Wii dad, Just the Wii.  That about sums up Donovan's desires today, that and Pizza, pepperoni pizza dad.  Lunch and dinner (sausage for breakfast, but he'd eat pizza if we let him).  To be fair, the pizza place here at the hospital is very good.

Donovan spent the day off the IV, no morphine since 3am, and if all goes well tonight,,,, home tomorrow!!  Bridget and I practiced all day moving him around the bed, in and out of the wheel chair and generally taking care of him.  He has not complained about pain as we have moved him around.  He took a long nap today in preparation of a fun night with Emma and Carl.  Yup, more Wii, only with his favorite play mate on the Wii.

Mom and dad are fine.  Dad went home last night.  Mom stayed with D and watched him sleep from 8pm to 9am, with only a 4am medical check to interrupt a great night sleep. No pictures today.  Donovan didn't agree to any today.

So we pray all goes well tonight so we can go home tomorrow.  Our great friend Bill, is bringing his new truck with 4 doors and a big bench seat in the back, to chauffeur Donovan.  Donovan's legs have to stay straight with knee braces holding them in place, so we need a long bench seat to strap him in.  We have a special harness to put him in so as he sits, with legs across the seat, we can buckle him into the seat belts.  In fact, Donovan is very excited about using his harness and being able to "relax" while riding.

I know Donovan will want pictures of that!

A long and active day

The day after surgery is no fun!...  If Donovan could think straight enough to summarize his day, I'm sure he'd be saying this.  The good news is that there was no sign of a fever!  The amazing news is that he did get out of bed today, twice!  Even did a lap out in the halls to snag the available Wii (all in one unit on wheels) which was a Godsend as the distraction was very much needed today.  Getting out of bed means three people transferring him to a reclined wheelchair.  It is so amazing to me... less than 24 hours after having two major bones cut, repositioned and put back together, muscles moved, ligaments lengthened and he got out of bed!

The harder parts of today were the pain he is dealing with and the frustrations he has.  The pain is not apparent until he is moved (repositioning every two hours... even at night... is critical to keeping him from getting sores).  The frustration is over not being able to stand or move as he's used to and a few bothersome itches where we can't get to them.  But Donovan is this amazing child who even when he's uncomfortable will express his feelings clearly and then move on to the next thing.  He also just simply needs some good sleep and tonight it solidly started by 8:30!  Pray it continues until at least 8:30 in the morn!

Just Chillin to Music

So first thing this morning Donovan decided he wanted to listen to some music.  The first song he played was a religious song that he likes and reminds Bridget of her Mom and Dad.  The 2nd song was rap music!  Diversity is great!

Chllin' to some music

1st Night - Catching up!

Last night Emma, Carl and Aunt Julie visited Donovan in the hospital and brightened his day.  Donovan was still pretty out of it but both Emma and Carl did what they could to entertain and take care of him.  He was groggy most of the night but came around and made very good progress.  We were up late but Donovan achieved a couple of important milestones, which continued today.  He is eating, drinking and getting better by the minute.  We had him in a wheel chair today and took a small trip around the hospital floor.  So all is well and he wants to go home now. :)

Donovan catching up on Mine Craft after a hard day and waking up.

Carl and Mom trying to wake Donovan to say hello and take fluids.

Just plain tuckered out with my new friend the iguana.  Thanks Dr. McKenzie!

That's a wrap! For now....

We are in Donovan's room and he is sleeping and snoring away.  That is a very good thing as it is a strong indication he is in no pain and comfortable.  Our meeting with Dr. Forness went very well.  The surgery went according to plan (see pics of his x-ray below of his hip).  We had to wake him up in recovery before coming to his room and the only thing he said was "can we go home now"! and he went right back to sleep.

Can't say enough about the care and communication we have received today at the Children's Hospital before, during and after the surgery.  We actually ran into several people we know from multiple area's of our lives in the surgical waiting area and it included:  Bridget's old boss from Steelcase, a fellow PFAC member, an associate from Steve's work, and several staff (like 3 or 4) from spectrum who work with Bridget on the PFAC.

So now we wait for D to fully wake up and start the long recovery process.  The Nurses said it is likely the surgical drugs will wear off at 4am tomorrow, however, they have a good regiment of pain medicines on the plan.

Sleeping comfortably in recovery

The right hip / femur - pin, plate and screws.

This just in....... They are finishing up!!!

Donovan's Surgery is done!  We are pumped!  (got the fist bump from my boss when she got off the phone with D's nurse).  They are just wrapping up and we will be talking to the surgeon in 20 minutes or so! 

2013 Derby

So once again I asked Donovan "what do you want your derby car to look like"? Donovan reply "A rocket Dad" and he proceeded to draw me a picture.  Now this was after several other options were considered.  Another Angry bird tucan (like the one we did last year and he won the design award)

Angry Bird - Donovan Designed and Directed

but in the end he chose a rocket.  We had one day (due to family and dad's schedule) to get the body done and then Donovan and Emma painted the car.  Donovan won 2nd place for the whole Pack (40 cars) and one of his best buddies Wyatt won 3rd place.  This race was just two weeks ago!  Here is a pictures!
 

Proud Dad and brother

Great Troop Leadership

Donovan and Buddy Wyatt with the Hardware!

Thought you'd like to see what the hospital looks like as you enter from the parking ramp tunnel and enter the lobby.  The last picture (was threatened with my life if I didn't remove it, so i did) is Donovan's fearless researcher, who knows no bounds of driving everyone involved with Donovan's Surgery (and all our kids life) to answer every detailed question that needs to be answered.  God blessed us with her and has made this a simple process for all of us.

The Bridge over Michigan Avenue from Ramp

Leaving Bridge Entering Hospital - Turn left to Lobby!

Looking at Lobby from the Bridge Entrance - Bubble Wall on Right

11:30am Update - All's Very Well

This is Dad, also known as Donovan's Sherpa, and all is going very well according to D's Nurse.  They have completed stage one of the surgery (that's what i call it as I'm not smart enough to disseminate abductor vs. being abducted) and have started on the first (right) hip.  They have a warming blanket on him to regulate his body temp. The Nurse will call again around 12:30.

Here is a picture as they headed out to surgery this morning..... That is Bridget on the left in her stylish outfit provided....

 

 

The waiting begins

Its 9:20 and we've left our kisses on Donovan's check and are now in the waiting room.

This surgery seems to be easier on Steve and me than the last but not true for Donovan. He's been so brave, asking us questions about his fears and expressing concerns and then going back to whatever we have distracting him for the moment.

This team taking care of Donovan is excellent! They had medicine in him immediately to calm nerves and put him at ease. Dr. Forness again walked through all the details and the reason for each of the procedures. They will be de-rotating both of his femurs, lengthening his adductor muscle and one hamstring and altering one of the quad muscles.

Even with his hesitations about today, you can see Donovan was still our happy guy this morning.



Received a call at 9:30 saying the first incision has been made. The estimates are that it will be 6 hours from this time, maybe more.

Just got an update from the anesthesiologist, D's classmates Dad! It made him very happy to hear that his friend's Dad was going to be one of his doctors. Donovan is doing well, with his heart-rate low; a good sign that he is feeling no pain. They are very conscientious to take steps towards Donovan's comfort, even with him being out. We are extremely grateful for this hospital and the care they take!

Thank you all for the prayers and wishes! We have been head down in the details of preparing for today and the recovery but please know every one of your gestures and notes have touched us deeply. We are feeling the strength of your prayers.