PICU day 4

Day 1: all the machines Liam was hooked up to following surgery. Fentanyl for pain, Versed for sedation, antibiotics to prevent post- surgical infection, plasma and platlets to replace what he lost in surgery.
Day 1: Has a breathing tube, NG tube, cental line, artital line, IV, accessed port, jp drains. (lines and tubes all over)Day 4: All that is left is an accessed port, jp drains and nasal canula for oxygen

Liam is doing well. In pain, obviously. The top bandage on his chest is just covering the needle in his port. The bottom bandage is over his incision, this was a major surgery, it could not be done laparoscopically. When he sees us he wants to be held, which is how he got twisted in his crib. He was reaching and rolling trying to get to mama. We haven't been able to hold him yet, surgeons want him to lay flat still.

If he continues to do well we will be moved to a room later today or tomorrow. Surgeon has not rounded yet today, but I am hoping to hold him later, but thats me being selfish, we will do what is best for Liam.

PICU day 2

Liam is doing well. He will remain sedated for pain management for a few days. The doctor is planning to remove the breathing tube this afternoon.

It will take a few weeks to get the pathology results back, but from initial results it looks like the surgeon got a clear margin. This means a "rim" of healthy tissue was removed with the tumor. In the places where this "rim" was smaller was near dead tumor from the chemo, all live tumor cells appeared to be a good distance from the healthy tissue.

Liam lost about 60% of his liver. He also lost a lot of blood, during the surgery he was transfused his entire volume of blood. This was expected, the liver is a very vascular organ. He has been getting a steady stream of plasma because when he lost his blood he lost his clotting factors, those were not replenished with the transfusions.

He is resting comfortably right now. Sorry I do not know how to upload pics from the iPad. I'll add some from home later.

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One Year

Dear Liam

Today you are one year. As we were preparing for your birth last year there was no way to tell the joy and love you would bring into our lives.

You have grown from a helpless infant into a fearless toddler. One year ago your favorite place was in mama's arms; it still is. Between our cuddles we often find you digging through drawers or pulling things off shelves. You also love to play with your cars.

With all the road bumps you have had in your short life, this past month has been full of wonder and adventure. You have began to crawl and continuously chasing the dog and cat around the house. You climb the stairs and love to practice walking. Such a sweet baby boy you are always willing to offer up hugs and kisses, and no one can resist your smile as you wave hello.

You haven't had the first year we wished for you and surgery was not the way I wanted you to celebrate your first birthday but to be cancer free is the best gift we could give you. You are a special boy in so many people's thoughts and prayers I know year 2 will be all we could wish for you.

I love you
Love,
Mommy

Strength

To hold it together when most people would understand if you fell apart, that is true strength

This is the quote I am trying to live by for the next few days, not because I have to, I know it's okay to cry, but because I have no idea how I am holding myself together right now.

We are checked into our luxury suite for the night, they just took Liam for blood work. He will be getting a blood transfusion and antibiotics tonight so he is as strong as possible for surgery tomorrow.

Doctors will come get him around 7am. The surgery will last 4-6 hours. I will try to keep everyone updated via facebook (if we're not friends click the facebook LCF Threadz button at the side, like and keep your eyes peeled for updates). We will post updates here, they just won't be as frequent. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Balloons for Liam

Yesterday Liam's playgroup had a celebration for his birthday. We released 365 balloons. Tied to each balloon was an info card about Liam. We have already received one email from someone who found a balloon. Thank you Karen for organizing this event.

U-haul donated a voucher for the truck to get the balloons to the park.

Emmett trying to escape

Without mystery life would be very dull

Preparing for Liam's birthday celebration tonight. Thank you for the donations from Helium and Balloons Across America, Bitsy Creations and U-Haul that made this possible. Stay tuned for pictures.

Anxiety is mounting

Liam's surgery is in less than a week now. And although the resection is an answer to our prayers, this mama is definately feeling the anxiety now.

Before Liam's first surgery there was no time to stress, the first surgery was during the hospital stay right after his diagnosis. Liam struggled coming out of the anesthesia, he was on oxygen and slept for the next 24 hours. The doctors think this time will be easier, his tumor is much smaller, his liver will process the anesthetic better. Doesn't make this any easier. We will be in the hospital anywhere between 5 days and 3 weeks. Liam will recover in the PICU for a few days after his surgery.

Please keep Liam in your prayers next week.

Liam waking up after his first surgery