The Big Day!

On Thursday morning we dropped Charles off at VEC bright and early. Of course I sent along the essentials: his homemade food, pain medication, his stuffed wiener dog, a fall coat and a list of all his information. I knew he would need the coat with his back being shaved. When we arrived we were taken into one of the exam rooms to I could fill out all the forms. We completed them and then one of the Dr's technicians came in to answer any questions I had. My mind was racing and I couldn't really think of anything on the spot. She told me to have a harness when I came back in, to replace the collar.

I explained the feeding situation, asked a few questions about the timing of the day and then passed off my little Charles to the technician. He didn't even look back and went straight into the back room with her. I paid the bill and left, my stomach in knots.

I waited by the phone all day. Every time it rang I jumped out of my seat. The procedure for the day was that they were going to take blood, test it for purposes of the anaesthesia, do the CT scan in order to determine exactly what was going on in his back, and if he was indeed a candidate for the surgery and then the actual surgery itself.

Dr. Kilburn said he would call me right after the CT scan to let me know they were going ahead. The call came and Dr. Kilburn told me that they were ready to proceed. He said that one of the herniations was in an area that could possibly make Charlie have an limp. The limp would be unrelated to pain. He said he would call me after he was done in about 1.5 - 2 hours.

2.5 hours later and I was freaking out. I called the clinic and they were still in surgery. I was told the doctor would call me after Charles had woken up.

Around 4pm I got the call. The surgery was a success and it took a lot longer because Charles was so big! I was thrilled and immediately felt some relief! Charles would stay in the intensive care unit until the morning. I was encouraged to call whenever I felt like it to check up Charles.