I seriously feel like I’ve just been through labor again. I am that tired, that exhausted, and so relieved. All of the same feelings that come with childbirth.
Ronan’s surgery was smooth sailing. Dr. La Quaglia is a godsend—with angels surrounding him every second of the day. We met with him, and he told us how perfectly the surgery went, how he was able to save every organ, and how great and healthy they all looked. He was very confident that he removed all of the base tumor. He looked everywhere—even in his chest and under his arteries—and did not see any other signs of neuroblastoma.
This does not mean we are out of the woods yet. The neuroblastoma is still in Ronan’s body, but the base tumor is gone. He said the tumor was about the size of a golf ball but wouldn’t let me see it because it had already been sent off to the lab. I don’t care. It is gone, Ronan is here, and we are so thankful.
After meeting with Dr. L, we were taken back to see Ronan. I was so nervous, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. Waiting for him to come out of surgery was much harder. He looked so brave and big in that bed, hooked up to everything you could possibly imagine. The tubes didn’t freak me out at all because underneath all of that was my baby boy, waiting for me. I kissed him and told him how proud I was of him, how brave he was, and how we could finally put this part of our life behind us. He kept nodding his head and was listening to every word I said.
After surgery, we had to be transported across the street to the PICU. The guys transporting us wanted Ronan as sedated as possible, but Ro wasn’t having it. They had to give him tons of medicine just to keep him calm. We heard a lot of, “Wow, what a strong kid you have,” and also, “He is really tall for three.” There was a lot of laughter about Ronan and his strength. Everybody kept telling us what a good thing that was. This is par for the course with Ro—nothing is going to stop our little guy.
After they finally got him sedated enough, he was transported across the street to the PICU. I rode in the ambulance with him, and we were quickly moved into our room. Woody and I had been up for almost 24 hours—my eyes were barely open. Ronan was just getting his breathing tube out, or extubated, as they call it.
I tried my best to update you all last night—early this morning—but I was so tired and busy taking care of Ro. It is 7 a.m. here now, and Ronan is asleep. He has been having a little trouble breathing on his own, so they have hooked him up to a machine that is giving him a little extra oxygen. This is normal after such major surgery. We will be moved back over to Sloan this afternoon, assuming all goes well today. Woody slept most of the night. I did not. That’s a mama bear for you. And Woo needs his rest—he requires much more sleep than I do.
The nurses and doctors here have been amazing—so sweet and attentive. We could not be more pleased with the job they are doing. Our nurse looks like she is about 12. She is the cutest little thing and is so great with Ronan. What a doll.
Guess how many views Ronan’s blog got yesterday? 8,122. Can you believe that? In one day alone. You all were so busy spreading the word to make sure we had everyone praying for him. I cannot say thank you enough. I know it is because of all of you—your prayers and positive energy—that he got through yesterday with flying colors.
Our little guy is going to change the world, and you all are helping him. He will be the poster child for this awful disease. Please keep spreading the word and sharing his story. Thank you for holding his heart in yours and going with us on this journey. We still have a very long road ahead of us, but I feel like today is a fresh start for Ronan. He is finally free of the tumor in his abdomen. It’s as if he has been given a new life—this is his rebirth.
January 3, 2010 will forever be Ronan’s second birthday. And that makes him a Capricorn, just like his mama. Us stubborn goats can get through anything.
Please know how much you all mean to us, even though we don’t know half of you. Your words kept me going yesterday. If it hadn’t been for all of you, I would have locked myself in a bathroom somewhere and refused to come out until Ronan’s surgery was over.
To all of my family and friends, I love you so much. I am so blessed and thankful for your support and love during this time in my life. I also could not have made it through yesterday without the most amazing man alive—my husband. He truly is one in a million and the best husband and father in the world. I am so lucky, thankful, and humbled.
I seriously feel like I am in the middle of an episode of Grey’s Anatomy right now—minus all the sex. I was just visited by the most amazing female doctor and her team of residents. I am beyond fascinated and impressed. The doctor could not have been more knowledgeable, kind, and positive. I got to watch her ask questions to her residents and see them scramble for answers. It was awesome.
She said it is not often that she sees children respond so well after such major surgery. She said most kids lie in the PICU for days. Her exact words were, “I don’t know Ronan, but maybe he is just such a rock star that this is just how he is.” How awesome is it that she—this incredible woman—called Ronan a rock star without even knowing his nickname? I loved it. It made my day.
Ronan will be transported back over to Sloan later this afternoon. He has been so cooperative and is listening to everything we tell him to do. He really is a brand-new boy.
This mama has had no sleep, and I don’t see sleep happening anytime soon. I am over the moon with how well Ronan is doing, and I feel so fortunate that we were able to bring him here to the best surgeon in the world. I know we made the right decision. We are right where we need to be, and today we can breathe a big sigh of relief knowing this part of Ronan’s journey is done.
Bring on the stem cell transplant. Ronan has proven time and time again that he can get through anything. He truly is such an inspiration and a rock star. What a little blessing to the world he is.
Love you all so much. Thank you again for your support and love.
xoxo
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