Early Days

Fintan's enucleation surgery went ahead as planned last Wednesday (24th April) and was carried out successfully with no complications.  Having signed consent around midday, we did have a little 'wobble' and requested we meet with the Rb team once more; although we had spoken to them individually we hadn't seen them all together and it helped to clarify a few questions we had.

A change to the afternoon list meant Fintan was no longer the first procedure, but he was eventually called for theatre just before 3.00pm; this was when the reality of what was about to happen hit him and  he became quite distressed.  As always, only one parent was allowed to be with Fintan when he had his  anaesthetic administered, so there was the added stress of saying goodbye to daddy, however, it was the most calm he has been whilst having the gas and was asleep within seconds.  A problem with the first theatre case meant Fintan's surgery was delayed and we did not get the call that he was out of theatre and in recovery until after 5.00pm - it was a very long afternoon.


When Fintan was returned to the ward, despite having a large bandage  over his eye and around his head, it was reassuring to see he still looked like the old Fintan.  However, because of the length of time he had been under anaesthetic, he was very groggy and slept for  a couple more hours.  When he did come round he was very nauseous and struggled to keep any fluids down.   Only one parent could stay the night on the ward, so I reluctantly left him at 9.00pm and James had to deal with a disturbed night.

I returned to the hospital the following day at midday to find Fintan sitting up in bed, having lost the large head bandage, a little brighter, but still not himself.  He continued to suffer with nausea and was very tired, but over the afternoon we managed to persuade him to eat and drink a little and encouraged him to have a walk around his room.  By early evening, with the help of his Rb girlfriends' persuasive charms, we talked him into a trip to the hospital restaurant, which he coped with incredibly well!  It was decided that Fintan should stay another night at the hospital as his fluid intake was still low and everyone would be happier if he was a little more mobile and brighter before leaving.

When I arrived at the hospital the following morning, I met Fintan in the restaurant, minus his eye dressing, munching on a doughnut and much brighter and chattier; a very reassuring sight.  As soon as he had been checked over by the doctor, he could be discharged.  We finally left the ward at about 1.30pm with Fintan riding his Gruffalo Trunki down the hospital corridors and out to the car.  We arrived home shortly after the boys got back from school and they were very pleased to see him.

Fintan has settled straight back into home life; he is navigating the house really well (a couple of bumps) and even managed a trip out to John Lewis on Saturday afternoon.  He was completely unfazed by the busy store and very noisy restaurant - he never ceases to amaze me.  He has had plenty of visitors over the weekend and enjoyed being in charge of dishing out the custard creams (his favourite)!

Although not quite ready (or rather I wasn't ready to let go) to return to school this morning, he did pop in for a visit which he really enjoyed.  He has an area in the classroom, with a desk and drawers for his braille equipment and he spent 10 minutes investigating this whilst I chatted to the teachers.  The plan is for him to return to school tomorrow (Tuesday) and see how it goes; he will be fully supported by the school and his visual impairment team and I feel very confident that Fintan will continue to thrive in this environment.

We return to the Royal London Hospital on 8th May for a check up and, assuming all is okay and the socket is healing, we can start the process of having his artificial eyes moulded and painted.