We had a wonderful weekend! And we hope you did, too. After much deliberation, we decided to take Jax to two (out of four) Christmas’s this year. This was a very difficult decision for us: Jax’s immature lungs are still very fragile and any sickness could mean a trip back to the hospital. However, we realized that Jax being able to meet his family was very important, too. We packed his diaper bag full of masks and hand sanitizer. We had very strict rules: we asked our families to let us know if they were sick that day before we got there (we wouldn’t have come if anyone was sick), we set up camp in a corner and let people come to Jax, we didn’t let anyone touch him. He had a blast! He loves watching people and new faces make him giggle. We’re glad we did it. And Jax is showing no signs of sickness, so it was worth it!
Still no word about combining the surgeries on January 15. It’s not looking very good – Children’s Hospital is hesitant to allow it because of staffing. Even though the eye surgeon is totally self-contained (she brings her portable laser in a suitcase-type thing and does not need any assistance during the surgery), the hospital is saying that their staff is not trained to do the eye surgery. The eye doctor keeps saying “But they don’t have to know how!” We’re still working on it. Of course, we want to do the safest thing for Jax, so if that means two separate surgeries, then so be it. But we would really like for him to go under anesthesia only once next month. I’ll keep you posted…
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An Early Start 
Hi there!
I’ve been enjoying your blog as well…Thanks for getting the commenting going! Your son is adorable and miraculous! Can’t believe he came off the o2 so quickly–what a star!
We have lots in common; I had to go for a boob biopsy (all clear) while my son was in the NICU (it was my second for benign fibroadenomas). But at a certain point it just seemed silly given everything else that was going on with my recent horrid pregnancy and my son’s health.
My son also had to have hernia surgery–after they’d checked him constantly in the NICU, he decided to pop up with one at his first pediatrician’s appointment! He was still on o2 at the time, so they did a local anesthesia, which made us feel better given his pulmonary status. But then he wound up needing a G-Tube, which did require general anesthesia, when he was ten months old. (And STILL on o2). Of course, we were petrified, but he did wonderfully. He was like himself in no time, and I know Jax will do just as well. You already know how tough and resilient he is!
I’m sorry the hospital is being so difficult about doubling the surgeries; we always liked to tack on my son’s echocardiograms to his surgeries so he wouldn’t have to be put under twice. I do hope they can figure it out!
Sounds like you found the perfect way to enjoy Christmas while still keeping Jax safe. I’m so glad. It can be a lonely (or scary) time of year for preemie families, and it sounds like you all found the perfect balance.
Sorry for the novel! I’m so glad we found each other’s blogs!
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