Goodbye port-a-cath. (pre op)

In June of 2011, Henry got his port-a-cath, a life line. This little piece of plastic that was embedded under his skin, sent a central line to his superior vena cava. This small contraption helped save his life. It gave chemo, took blood, gave blood and platelets. It gave antibiotics, and was a part of Henry for almost two years. While he had it in, he was also on Dalteparin shots daily. This is a blood thinner that helped prevent blood clots. So, while "normal" post-chemo kids keep their ports in for six months post treatment, Henry's came out after only 7 weeks post treatment. The sooner it's out, the sooner we could stop the shots, and prevent risk of blood clots (which he's had two).

 

Of course, we were nervous, but looking back, I suppose we forgot we were dealing with Henry. The toughest kid around. Owen was very excited for the port to come out too. He even promised to be VERY quiet in the operating room, if we let him in. Of course, Owen wasn't in the OR, but provided great emotional support and laughter for us and Henry during our long day at the hospital.

 

This is Henry in the doctors office waiting for our pre-op appointment. Owen asked great questions, and Henry pointed to his port and said it was "above his nipple".

 

 Owen brought Penguin to join in the festivities. Here unicorn Owen is giving Penguin a piggy back ride. (thanks Lucas).

 The boys ran around Randall Childrens' hospital.

 Quite often, Henry would let us know how hungry and thirsty he was. This is him pouting because I wouldn't give him yogurt covered pretzels.

 But, in peds day surgery, they had a ton of wagons and cars, and only two boys around to play with them. I suppose an afternoon surgery is good for some things.!

 Henry in his pink dinosaur hospital gown.

 After a while, they came in to give him pre-medication (Versed). They handed the syringe of oral meds to Lucas, assuming Lucas would need to give it. Lucas handed it to Henry, and he quickly drank it down. I think the nurse was quite impressed.

Then, the drugs started to take effect, and drugged out Henry showed up. Here he is being wheeled to pre-surgery waiting.

 In, yet another, waiting room, Owen found a huge dinosaur to keep us all entertained.

 Henry gave us the thumbs up... ready to go.

 We all took turns kissing him goodbye.

 (I love this one)

 Before they wheeled him off, I asked what he wanted to eat after surgery. He said, chocolate milk, white pretzels and hum bao. Two of the three things would be waiting for him. The hum bao we picked up on our way home.

Here he is being wheeled to surgery.