Matthew's surgery

On Friday, March 9th, Matthew endured a 7-hour surgery at our local children's hospital. Derek's parents were able to babysit the other children (thank you so much!!!!), and Derek and I went to the hospital with Matthew.

We were checked in by 6 a.m. and spent some time with Matthew before he went into the operating room.

I love that he was clueless as to what was about to happen.

He was so calm in fact, that he allowed the nurse to carry him into the O.R. without being medicated!

During the first part of the surgery, he had 2 hernias and several other issues repaired and fixed.

During the second part of the surgery, he had his 5 abscessed molars and 3 front teeth extracted, 3 crowns placed, and 12 cavities filled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

The result of living for 3½ years at an orphanage

drinking juice but not getting his teeth brushed:

In addition, his tongue was nicked during the process, so he had to get stitched in his tongue. UGH!

He had a breathing tube down his mouth during the first part of the surgery, and then it was pulled up and a different breathing tube was put down his nose during the second part of the surgery. Therefore, even several days post-surgery, he is eating only room temperature foods to help with his raw throat.

In recovery:

Little guy suffers silently. He has not yet learned to cry aloud from pain. It is so sad! When I see him crying silently, my heart breaks!

Several days post-surgery, and Matthew keeps distracted with toys, books, and coloring. He still has immense pain and break-through bleeding.

He has been on non-chewable foods--since he cannot yet handle texture. Last night, he was hungry enough, so he wanted to try eating a banana. He took a bite, and after 1 chew, the banana fell out the front of his mouth (where the gap is from the missing teeth). So he reached for a cooked elbow noodle, and after about 10 chews, he spit out the noodle. The noodle was whole and only had 1(!!!!!) hole in it. He hardly has any teeth for chewing. He was upset and stopped eating. Before bed I fed him yogurt.

He points to his mouth and asks where his teeth went. So sad!!!

Hopefully, he will begin to feel pain-free and learn a new way to chew his food.

💙 We love you, sweet boy!!!!! 💙

Thank you for being so pleasant through all this pain!!!!!