Kameron's Surgery

Kameron's surgery yesterday went well and he had no complications! We are thanking God for such excellent news!

Yesterday morning we got ourselves up and ready for the big day. Kam did his pre-surgery shower with antibacterial soap, got dressed, and he seemed to have an extra pep in his step. On the way to the hospital, he played his music to get himself pumped and ready. Mom usually does not allow commandering of her radio.. but this was a special day. And we needed hype music. 

We started at the oncology clinic so their nurses could access his port and draw labs. Then we checked in for his surgery. When they went to call Kam back.. things started to go a bit awry. It started with the CNA initially not wanting to let me go back with him due to COVID hospital protocols and "ma'am he isn't a minor." I explained "yes, and he has osteosarcoma." We'd also obtained approval from his surgeon prior. The CNA said he'd have to speak to the nurse. Kam did some advocacy of his own, because I waited no more than 10 seconds and then Kam was calling me to go back with him.

Then they wanted to put an IV in his arm. Cancer kids (and their family) with ports are told to not allow peripheral (away from the port) access due to chemotherapy increasing their potential infection risk, it makes their veins easy to tear/break, and frankly it's traumatic for them. We had to advocate they triple check that was what they really wanted before consenting to proceeding. After consulting with the anesthesiologist, we were told the port was too slow to push rapid fluids or blood, if it was needed in the OR. So while it made sense, it left us confused. Then why did they insist the port be accessed beforehand? Accessing the port alone is an infection risk. These kinds of questions are tough to navigate in the midst of the usual pre-surgery anxiety. 

As you can imagine, tensions were really high at that point. Kameron's anesthesiologist returned and asked Kam "are you from Boise?" He proudly said, "No. I'm from China!" The doctor asked, "Which part?" I explained he originally is from the Sichuan Province. Then the doctor unexpectedly started speaking fluent and perfect Mandarin to him! It helped calm both of us down. This also helped build trust with Kameron as he performed a local block in his right leg for anesthesia. It's cool to see God show up in people.

After that, everything else went smoothly. Kameron's surgery took as long as they estimated. His surgeon was very happy with how it all went. He lost very little blood and did not require a blood transfusion. They removed the prior biopsy tract and took wide margins of his distal (lower) femur. The hope was to see no tumor when he removed the bone in which it was encased and thankfully what the doctor saw looked like healthy bone on the outside (this is what he was hoping for because it signals the tumor was able to be removed without exposing it inside Kam's body). That specimen was sent to the pathologist and it will take ~1-2 weeks to get results back.

We are continuing to pray for negative margins and a high necrosis rate on the pathology report. All mean improved odds and a better prognosis for Kam.

After surgery, I was allowed to be with Kameron in the PACU. He had requested that specifically and they honored his request. He has had very little pain. The block in his leg has continued to help him and he has needed no pain medications thus far. 

After they got him to his hospital room, he was cocooned over in a transfer blanket by a small crane above his bed. He threw up a couple times last night from the anesthesia and surgical pain meds. But other than that, which all was expected, he is doing awesome. He is sleeping a lot and already meeting some of his discharge goals. 

Kam is in good spirits. Just sleepy. Today he will work on walking safely (multiple times) with physical therapy. He is in a straight leg splint for healing and is allowed to put only slight weight on his leg (not full weight yet). He also will work on eating and drinking-- which he ate some Chick-fil-A this morning and handled that like a champ! The doctor anticipates he will likely come home tomorrow.

In addition to prayers for the outcome of the pathology report we are also asking for specific prayers for the incision to heal well, for no infection to develop, no blood clots to form, and for Kam's pain and nausea to be well managed. Thank you to the tribe (that's you all) for all you've done to help our family get to this point. Much love and gratitude to you all. ❤❤❤