We’ve made it halfway through our first big hurdle in this Bilateral Congenital Cataracts journey! Thursday night I didn’t sleep a wink in anticipation for Thomas’ surgery on Friday morning. As I laid awake holding my sleeping baby I re-read all of the encouraging comments you all left on my blog posts and Instagram. Have I mentioned how thankful I am for you all?
In preparation for surgery we were instructed to administer 3 types of eye drops every few hours starting on Thursday. The doctor warned us that they would burn Thomas’ eyes but he didn’t cry at all or swat our hands away. He’s been such a champ through all of this. On the morning of his procedure he was not allowed to have any formula for at least eight hours before surgery. However, he could have breast milk up to four hours before. Lucky for me, I have quite a few really close girlfriends who still breastfeed so I didn’t have any problem getting some liquid gold for Thomas. He was pretty pumped too and took a big feeding before we headed to daycare to drop off
Caroline.
We arrived to the hospital extra early and that is when I started to get more nervous. After getting through the extensive check-in process we were finally escorted to a surgery prep room where we changed Thomas into his hospital gown and met with his team of doctors. They were all so wonderful and made us feel like they would take care of Thomas as if he was their own. We were over an hour past Thomas’ usual feeding time but he didn’t get upset at all. That boy. So great.
My two biggest fears/worries for surgery day were 1. the nurses inserting the IV and 2. watching Thomas get rolled away from me on a stretcher. I still have nightmares about seeing Caroline’s car seat strapped to a stretcher
and it’s an image I will forever wish I could un-see. I am happy to report that neither of those things happened (in front of me) thankfully. I was extremely relieved when the anesthesiologist informed us that Thomas would get his IV after he was already asleep. And when it was time to take him back to surgery several sweet nurses were
politely arguing over who would get to carry him back. It made me feel good to know they all were so excited to get their hands on him. They brought a warm blanket to wrap him in and CARRIED Thomas away from us after we gave him tons of kisses and prayed over him. This was still the hardest part of the day and we both sobbed.
Matt’s parents were waiting for us in the surgery waiting area. It was such a relief to see them. For over an hour it was hard to hold a normal conversation as we all pretended not to stare at the TV monitor displaying status updates on Thomas. I tried to distract myself by reading all of the comments written by my sweet readers again and it really helped get me through those 90 minutes. I bet you all didn’t realize how such a simple act of writing me a sentence would get me through some of the hardest moments of my life.
Finally, Dr. G arrived to the waiting area with the biggest smile. He couldn’t even wait to take us back to a private room before he exclaimed “The surgery could not have gone better!!! No complications at all and Thomas was absolutely perfect. I expect the left eye to go just as smooth. The nurses are so in love with him. Not supposed to do this buuuut I couldn’t help but take this picture for y’all before we started!” We smiled and passed around the picture of Thomas smiling right before they put him to sleep. Just one more reason we are so in love with our team of doctors!
What a relief. We made it through one of the hardest parts. About 30 minutes later we were notified that Matt and I were cleared to visit Thomas in recovery. As we approached his room we thought we were disrupting a nurse meeting because there were so many ladies huddled around him ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing.
Against Dr. G’s outpatient orders, the anesthesiologist adhered to hospital policy and informed us that even though Thomas came down from anesthesia beautifully he wanted us to stay for the next 10 hours for observation. So off to the pediatric wing we went and stayed until about midnight. It was the longest day but we could not be more thankful for such a smooth surgery and perfect little patient. Praise Jesus!
Throughout the weekend Dr. G asked us to keep him informed if we had any concerns at all. He called us several times to check on our little man and we sent him pictures periodically of his eye progress. We are administering four types of eye drops several times a day and Thomas has to wear a patch over his eye so he (and Caroline) doesn’t touch it.
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| Right eye healing; Left eye with cataract. |
Today we have a check up with our doctor duo to make sure things still look good and discuss the second surgery!
On to the more fun two month stuff…
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| Thomas at two months old — taken on the morning just before his two month appointment. |
Two Month Highlights:
- 10 lbs, 5 oz (11%); 22″ long (8%)
- Eating 4 ounces of Earths Best Formula every 3 hours during the day. Taking last bottle at 8 pm and sleeping in pack & play until anywhere between 3 am – 7 am.
- Size 1 diapers and 3 months clothing
- Started daycare and is thriving! Loves his teachers. There are only two babies in class so he gets spoiled.
- SMILING! SMILING! SMILING! 🙂
- Rolling from belly to back and doesn’t mind tummy time at all!
- Still on the fence on hair color but lots of people think it’s red.
- Cataract surgery on right eye complete!
Two month favorites: Activity Gym / Infant Gowns / JJ Cole Agility Carrier
/ Snuza Baby Movement Monitor / Mustela PhysiObebe No Rinse Cleanser / Dohm Sound Machine / Microwave Steamer Sterilizer / Wubanub / Boppy Lounger / Sheet Savers / Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets / Summer Infant SwaddleMe Swaddles
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| Thomas & Caroline at 2 Months! |
SOO thankful everything went perfectly! I have been praying for you guys all week/weekend! Xoxox
Sweet baby! So, so, SO glad that it went so well, mama! I know what a relief it must be to have this first hurdle cleared! Way to go, Thomas!:)
Oh my goodness Christina, I'm in tears for you! SO glad to hear his first surgery went well, I cannot even imagine how you are feeling! Thank God for wonderful nurses and doctors, sending lots of hugs and prayers your way!
Sweet baby Thomas!! So thankful the surgery went perfectly!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
God is good
Wow! It's been a while since I've caught up with you, and it seems like you all have been busy. So glad your sweet boy did great in surgery! What a trooper! That must have been hard, mama. Pray you all continue to heal and thrive! ��
Such amazing good news!!! Thomas is a little champ! He's so lucky to have you all for parents- you're handling this so beautifully and I know it isn't easy. I'm so happy it's been going better than expected. Sending love and prayers to you all- especially Thomas!
I started crying just reading this! I can't imagine how hard this has been on you and your family! I think back to the SIDS scare you had with Caroline and just think you guys get thrown some huge punches with newborns! After this you guys (and your kids) will be able to handle anything! There have been many times in my life that I am so thankful to live in a time where doctors are able to do so much! I mean putting a 2 month old under anesthesia and fix their eye… Amazing! I was nervous putting my 6 month old under anesthesia so I can only imagine your nerves! So glad to hear he is a champ and doing so well!
This made me teary-eyed!! Praise the Lord!! So glad to hear his surgery went well- what a huge praise!! It's neat to hear how God has guided your footsteps through this process & brought yall comfort! Continuing to pray for his 2nd surgery and for a full recovery!!
You have the sweetest boy! He is beautiful and so are his eyes! You are a great mom!
He is just so precious Christina! I'm so ecstactic everything went well. It sounds like you have an amazing, compassionate Dr! Prayers for the continued journey.
I'm so happy to read such wonderful news this morning! It sounds like you found the perfect fit of doctors and you definitely have a strong little boy. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
That is great news about Thomas! And your team of doctors sound amazing. God Bless Thomas!
SOOO glad everything went well. All weekend I checked your site for any updates to see how things went. Glad he is doing well and healing well and continued prayers for his recovery.
So glad that everything went well and that he's doing excellent post-surgery! 🙂
Yay!!! So glad that Thomas was surrounded with peace and love!! What a champ he is!! Have I mentioned how glad I am that you have such a wonderful team of professionals helping you through this?!
I'm so happy to hear about his successful surgery! You and your husband constantly have me in awe of your strength! Sending lots of thoughts and prayers to you all!
My goodness Christina!! Who knew that writing these comments would make such a difference!! I've been praying for y'all… and will continue to as the left eye surgery proceeds. So, so, so thankful to hear that the right eye surgery went so well. God really does have this… And y'all are so strong!!! Thank you for sharing all of this – because I know you didn't have to…. Stories like this renew and strengthen my own faith – and I've always believed in the power of prayer. God Bless y'all!!!!!
What an answer to prayer! I cried when I read how sweet your doctors and nurses were to you in the hospital. It's amazing how comforting they can be in the hardest times. Will continue to keep your family and Thomas in my prayers. Thanks for the update on your sweet little man!!
I am SO glad to read this post and see that everything went SO well!!! Ill continue to pray for similar results and experience for the next eye, but for now am so happy for you all that you had such a wonderful team of docs and nurses!!!
Sweet boy! So happy to read the progress and that the surgery went so well. You are lucky to have found such wonderful doctors and nurses to care for your precious little one. Definitely a God-thing! Prayers continued for your family…
So so glad it went well!!!!! He is precious!
So happy to hear everything went perfectly! God is good!
What a wonderful update, thank you for sharing and making me smile on this dreary Monday. I'm so glad he did so well through the surgery. What a beautiful, bouncing baby boy!
Thank you Jesus!!! So glad everything went well. I will continue to pray for your sweet family!
Christina, SO wonderful to hear Thomas's surgery went well. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to pray all goes well for him and your sweet family. I have a friend who has a little one who is ill and I will share with you what I did with her, my favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13 "I do everything through Christ who gives me strength."
So glad to hear that everything went well! I'm sure that helped your heart a little! I know this is so hard and you have a longer road ahead, but I'm so glad that you have such an amazing team of doctors, family, and friends to support you. I know you never feel alone! Praying for a speedy recovery for Thomas!
Amen – for an amazing medical team, such an easy going little Thomas, the most supportive parents and you guys rocking this whole ordeal!!! It is so difficult to see your child in pain or in hospital… So happy that all went well with this surgery and we will continue to pray for the other x
So glad to hear everything went so smoothly and that you have such wonderful doctors and nurses!!!
I just breathed the biggest sigh of relief reading this. You sound so much more upbeat and I'm so happy that things went so well on Friday. You're doing this with such grace and humility, I'm in awe!
I'm so glad Thomas is recovering nicely and the surgery went off without a hitch! I don't even know you in "real life" but I tear up every time I read an update about him (and Caroline's incident last year). I have a 4 year old named Trevor and often put myself in your shoes and can't imagine how you must be feeling. These are just reminders that we need to hug our babies and cherish every moment with them. I'm continuing to send positive thoughts your way 🙂
Such great news! Praying surgery 2 is just as successful!
Amazing! Praise God!!! So many incredible people and circumstances came together here, what a testimony of His steadfastness. And what a difference in the picture of the two eyes. Way to go, Marcellino family!
Praise the Lord, I'm so glad everything went smoothly! We {The Husband and I} have a small group that meets every Thursday for bible study and we prayed for you and your sweet boy and we'll continue to pray! God brings wonderful things out of our hardships, I pray for more blessings for your sweet family!
Yay! So happy to hear how great the surgery went. Watching your babies go through any type of surgery is so difficult. I'm glad that y'all had such a great team of nurses and doctors to make you feel comfortable. That's so important! Lots of prayers for smooth and successful healing for sweet Thomas.
oh I'm so happy reading this!! I have been thinking about you guys so much since Friday. So glad all went well! And what a blessing to find such an amazing team to take care of Thomas. I bet those smiles will just get bigger as little man can finally see his family around him.
What a huge blessings!! I have tears in my eyes reading about the success of Thomas' surgery. You have an entire network of people praying steadfastly for your sweet family! We will continue to pray for healing for Thomas and that his next surgery is just as successful as this one was! Your doing amazing momma!!!
That precious baby!!! Praise Jesus for a positive surgery process #1 — may it go smoothly, peacefully, and efficiently the next time around too!!!
I am tearing up reading this and imagining how scared you must have been! I'm so happy to hear that everything went well and that you have such an amazing team working with Thomas!
So happy to hear the surgery went so well. God is good! Will continue to pray for your family.
My husband and I were both thinking of y'all this weekend. I'm so relieved (as I'm sure you are as well) that his surgery was a success! Many happy thoughts and blessing to y'all!!!
this is the best news!!!! i am SO thrilled everything went well and that the doctors were happy with the surgery… god is SO good friend!!!!
This makes my heart glow!! So happy that the surgery went well!! Still prayers for your sweet boy and family!! He is so cute, so it is to no surprise everyone was ooo'ing and ahhhing over your sweet baby!!
I am so, so glad everything is going well with Thomas's recovery! This makes me VERY happy indeed!! Happy 2 months adorable, smiley Thomas!
I'm so thankful all went well with the first eye…hopefully it will all be such smooth sailing and you will be able to look back years from now and barely be able to remember all of the stress and worry of these times. And it's so nice to hear of such a sweet team of doctors/nurses tending to your baby. 🙂
HAPPY TEARS!!!! I'm so SO relieved to hear that everything went well and I will continue to pray that everything goes well for his second surgery! Wonderful news!!
Best news of the day!! Glad to hear things are going well and continued prayers for his second surgery. He's a doll!!!
So glad everything went well and that you are finding peace in everyones comments. Many prayer for your sweet little guy as he continues to heal and moves on with the next surgery!
What a relief to read that all went well. Will continue to pray for your family.
So glad to hear everything went well! Praying for a speedy recovery and a smooth second surgery! PS – love the side by side two month photos. Adorable kiddos!
So happy to hear everything went well! He looks so so good and I know that is a relief for you all. Stay strong and I will keep you and your families in my prayers!
So happy to hear everything went as perfectly as possible! Thomas is so adorable and doesn't seem phased at all — what a relief to have such a happy patient!
So glad to hear that his surgery went well. I'll keep praying for you all and that his healing process goes smoothly. Hopefully the other eye will go just as well!
He did so well! So glad it went smoothly.
Praising God that the first surgery went so well. And also for the magnificent team of doctors and nurses…true caring individuals. Continue to pray for healing and for the upcoming surgery on his other eye.
I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well!! Praying for round two to go just as smoothly!
Praying for another successful surgery for Thomas. God is good!
So happy to hear things went great!! Praying round 2 is just as smooth for Thomas! Thomas and Caroline looks just alike 🙂 Such beautiful babies you have.
So glad to hear things went as smooth as they could! Y'all were in our prayers! Thomas is handling everything like a champ!! Enjoy all the baby cuddles!
Such a wonderful update! I'm so glad everything went well.
So glad everything went well! Praying for a speedy recovery and that the left eye will go just as smooth!
Cried my way through this post. I'm so happy for you all. Thomas seems to be such a strong little boy. Sending so much love to you all.
Oh Christina, I am SO happy that everything went well for your little Thomas. Your post totally made me tear up. But he is such a strong and brave little guy and you guys are such loving parents. And so nice of your friends to help you out with the feedings!
God is Good! So happy to read about the positive outcome. Blessings to your family.
So happy to hear the first surgery went well! You have so many people praying for you, how could it not have gone well?!?!
I started crying when I began to read. So happy to hear the surgery went well! Sweet Thomas- so strong and brave. Hugs to you!
So happy to see Thomas is doing well! God is good.I am new to your blog, and wasn't aware of your daughter's scare. I cried reading about it! You are truly tested, lady. Phew! ♥♥♥
What a little doll! I'm so thankful they were so loving with him and that he did so well. Thinking about your family all the time and sending prayers your way! xo
Oh, sweet baby! I never like to see a baby in a hospital gown, but I am SO GLAD things went well!!!
So happy to hear the first surgery went so well. Thomas' Dr. and his care team sound amazing. Prayers that the next one goes equally well.
So happy the surgery went well – you have a tough little man there sending lots of prayers for the next surgery
We had my grandfather's funeral in Birmingham this weekend & my mom's cousin from Columbus Ohio came down for it. He is a world renowned ophthalmologist at Ohio State. I shared with him Thomas' story & progress. He was so glad to hear that the surgery was a success on Friday & even asked for your blog link to follow along. It's so nice to see & hear about doctors who care for their patients & understand the fear a parent is having. I'm so thankful for you & your family that you've had top rate care. xo
Sooo happy to see this!! Praise God!!!!!
I have chill bumps and tears in my eyes. Praise Jesus! I cannot imagine how hard of a day that was and am so glad His grace was sufficient. And I'm so relieved that everything went beautifully and Thomas was the best patient ever! And you're right, it makes all the difference in the world when doctors and nurses are fighting over taking care of you baby. My oldest has had tubes twice and his tonsils removed. So, three surgeries. Not even close to as serious as Thomas, but I can feel for you… sitting there looking at the monitor, waiting, praying. Will be praying for the second one to go just as smoothly. God bless!
So thankful everything went well!! Praying he has a similar experience next time. What a little champ!
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I think I cried for you all… Im sure that was so very hard to have to endure! I am so glad he made it out of surgery ok & is doing well so far..