Day of Surgery

Day of Surgery, November 21, 2008

After a very short night, Sebastian and I woke up at 5 am, Sebastian had to get to his appointment by 5:45 am. We left the children's hospital (and Nicolas still asleep) and took the short cut across the park to the adult hospital. It was so early that the gates of the park were still locked...no time to go around, so we hopped the big old wall! Sebastian had just passed the donor screening process with flying colours of course!

I left Sebastian at about 6:15 am in order to be back for Nic's pre op prep. Sebastian handed me his worldly goods (ie his Cartier watch), I kissed him goodbye and full of hope I headed to collect Nicolas. The sense of excitement that I felt, kept me from worrying. The day that we had been waiting so long for had finally arrived.

Nicolas' porter arrived at 7:15 to take him over to the operating area. (Both Nicolas and Sebastian's procedures occurred in two different buildings, both on the 4th floor, connected by a bridge). We spent the first several hours in a transitional room where surgeons, nurses etc. gowned up. We had plenty of company, everyone greeting us, stopping to chat with Nicolas, especially about US politics. Evelien, a good friend of mine from Ottawa, arrived at about 9 am. Nicolas was unbelievably relaxed and enjoyed opening the many birthday presents Evelien brought. (Many thanks to all the generous gift givers!!!!!)

Just before 10 am, Nicolas and I were taken to the operating room, I stayed with him until he fell into his induced sleep...he laughed first, then gagged and boom, his eyes shut tightly.

My dad arrived shortly thereafter and the 3 of us set about waiting for news. Our friend Lucille, who had been keeping Sebastian company since 8:30 am, eventually met us at about 11 am to tell us that the operation was underway. The surgeons had opened Nicolas up and found that all was stable, they then proceeded to operate on Nicolas. It was at about 2 pm that Sebastian's liver was transported to Nic's surgeons. Sebastian was done by 4 pm, I saw him at around 5:30, pumped full of pain meds, but happy to hear that all was going well with Nic.

Our group got a little larger with the arrival of my friend Jessica from Guelph. We made a temporary camp in the ICU waiting room, having coffee, lunch and eventually dinner there. Occasional updates about Nicolas came through, all good news; the team here has been amazing, we are well looked after in every respect. The RN's, the surgeons, the medical team have been with us every step of the way, full of respect, caring and in constant communication.

Finally at 10 pm one of the surgeons arrived to tell us that Nicolas was on his way up to ICU. Absolutely everything during the surgery went off without a hitch. The liver was invaded by massive tumours but appeared to be contained only in the liver. The portal vein had a large blood clot in it which blocked the tumour from reaching the bowels. No apparent nodules or lumps in the bowel. Microscopic tumour is still the concern. the stem cell transplant will occur anywhere between 2-4 weeks from now, depending on Nic's recovery.

I am able to sleep with NIc in ICU and even with all the beeps, lights and constant vigilance of staff, I know I'll sleep. Nicolas is looking so good, my baby has come through, but the next week will be critical.

Kathrin.