Long Day Checking into the Hospital

Brandon, Kristin and I came to the hospital this morning at 10:00 am for check-in. Brandon had blood work done, pictures taken, consults with anesthesia and the nurses, met with his doctors performing surgery tomorrow, met with PT and OT to discuss post surgery procedures, met with Child Life Specialists to talk about Brandon's interests. It was decided that Brandon will need a wheelchair after surgery for at least 1 month. The surgeons will not know tomorrow exactly which procedures will be performed and how much of the procedures they can do in one surgery. They really won't know until tomorrow. We have checked into our room 332 and are quite comfy. Brandon's surgery will be tomorrow at 8:30 am. The surgery itself will be around 2 hours. He is expected to be out of surgery around 11:00 am and then in recovery for several hours. He also has options for pain management and we are all hoping he can receive an epidural for complete pain management. They will check his scoliosis tomorrow to determine if that is possible.

Brandon is still ready for the surgery. We went to Whole foods tonight a few blocks from the hospital and he picked out his favorite macroni and cheese with hatch chiles and peanut butter and chocolate cookie for his last good meal. He will probably not eat another meal for 1 day.

I bought Brandon a very special present for after surgery and he has been very anxious to open it. Today in the car, he held the present in his arms in hopes we would break down and let him open it, but we resisted and he moved on to the IPod for entertainment and more Beatles.

We will update tomorrow after the surgery. Thanks everyone for your support. Thanks Pati for picking up the chicks.
Leah