I've been a little distracted lately and I'm now finally able to spend a little time in putting my thoughts in order.
My son had the all too common ear tube surgery and yes it's minor surgery. Surgery none the less and it would be a lie if I said that I wasn't nervous. The constant barrage of horror stories with other children and the effects of anesthesia kept me company, but in the end I knew God would be with him. You know he was..
I'm a proud papa and so many days I'm utterly amazed and impressed on how both my children face this world with unyielding courage. My son had one episode of hesitation as we parked at Texas Children's. He had no idea what to expect and I did my best to not let my nervousness show and after a brief talk he climbed on my back and in we went. He happily picked out his red wagon that they would use to wheel him back to the OR and his light blue pajamas. Then the time came and they called his name and he quickly climbed into his wagon and off he went. What struck me the most in that moment was his sense of purpose in his movements and it was the first glimpse I have seen of the young man struggling to come out. He never looked back as they wheeled him off through the heavy double doors and into the hallway with multiple OR's. His mother and me standing and looking at the closed double doors with our son off somewhere on the other side, our son was now gone and maybe for good. The last thought turned my stomach, but the pride I felt as to how my son went to the unknown took over. It was one of the longest hours of my life and then he was ready for us in the recovery room. Funny, his voice sounded different to him and he sobbed a little, but quickly stopped after I explained that he sounded the same. How he heard the world will sound very different for awhile. He made it through.
He was very proud of himself, for this was the biggest challenge he has faced in his small years. He was also very excited to wear his Texas Children's pajama top and his hospital ID wrist bracelet to school the following Monday. I didn't think I could be any more proud and then he asked if he could go back. Go back, what? Our talk in the car before the surgery I had mentioned how there are some kids who are so sick that they will be in the hospital a long long time. My son wants to go visit them and take them toys. Yep, I am very proud.