Everett Alexander: Bye Bye Iron Giant Arm & Anoplasty

April 5th was a busy, busy day. We had to time things just right with KP's iron giant arm and his anoplasty. Both doctors had said they had to get in there in 3-4 weeks, and they both took a week off for spring break. Since his anoplasty was a "dirty" surgery, we could not do the two together. So, we did his iron giant arm as soon as we could, so everything would fall into place just perfectly to coincide with the doctor's orders, as well as some time I had off work.

So, on April 5th, we got rid of iron giant arm, and checked into the hospital for the anoplasty....for bowel prep....woo hoo.

This is where the fun ended. We spent the next 6 hours trying to get an IV in this little man. They stuck him over 12 times to the point he was hysterically screaming. And here's the kicker. When I requested he be taken down to an OR to be sedated for them to get an IV in, they said he could go without it until morning. Really? Then why did you just spend the last 6 hours sticking my kid IN HIS BED?!?! That's the other thing that kills me. They don't have a procedure room. This is the main hospital that we go to for everything, but we have been to other Children's hospitals, and they INSIST on procedure rooms. This one? Nope. So, everything bad that got done to KP was done IN HIS BED! (If you don't know, a procedure room is a different room where they take kids to draw blood or put in IVs or anything else unpleasant, so that they will feel safe in their room). This was the worst hospital experience we have ever had. Since we have been through so much for him, we know this is the exception, and we have no hard feelings, but can you imagine if this was an isolated surgery for a young child? That's what upsets me more than anything.

The surgery went well, and KP was ready to scarf down a big breakfast as soon as he was allowed.

Dylan took nights in the hospital again. KP was having some gas issues.

You have to be creative when you have a kid ready to go home that still has another day left in the hospital.

As soon as we got sprung from the hospital on the 8th. On the 9th we got a new brace and then we packed up and went to Papaw and Mamaw's house. Mommy and Daddy had big people plans that weekend, and since KP was feeling sooo much better, we went ahead and took him out there.