The Final Surgery

The medication port came out today.  The removal was pretty straight forward.  J went in with confidence.  He is used to the PACU.  He knows what to expect.  He has learned (and doctors are learning as well) that a bit of distraction helps pass the time and ease anxieties.  We had placed the EMLA cream over the top of his port, just in case they would choose to access it, to begin giving him anesthesia to put him to sleep.  He preferred that plan over the idea of getting a peripheral IV.  However, the anesthesiologist suggested using gas at first and then placing their IV.  J can be pretty confident when he knows the rules of the game, but when you change how things are done, he gets a little anxious.  His cure for anxiety, his Kindle.  A few games.  A good book.  Oh, and Studio C on Mom's phone.  These are adequate distractions that helped him get through the pre-surgery waiting.

PET Scan Results and a New Plan

The biggest story regarding the PET scan was with the squirrel that delayed the scan by one day.  The poor squirrel bit off more than it could choose with the high voltage lines.  I have a picture, but I'll spare you.

Anticipation

Tomorrow is the first of many follow-up scans.  J will get a PET scan early in the morning, and then we will go to clinic to see what the results are and what the plan is from there (hopefully surgery referral to get the medication port removed).  He has been doing pretty well.  His only problems right now are endurance problems, and perhaps cold sensitivity in his teeth (although that's pretty normal, but it's new for him).  He finished the school year and is his old self for the most part.

A Week of Fun

It's so odd to have a week without any doctors' visits (orthodontist, yes, twice, but no medical doctors).  No labs.  Wish we could say no medicines, but that's not quite true.  Just normal end-of-the-school year activities.