Greetings From the Family Waiting Room

We finally made it to Tuesday morning.  I never thought any one would look forward to surgery but Ernie was definitely looking forward to this day. 

I went with him to the anesthesia area where he met the rest of his team. He has been very concerned about getting the exact kind of feeding tube he would like--a mic-key button. He had discussed this earlier with the general surgeon who said he would try to accommodate Ernie but could not promise anything.   Ernie immediately went to work on everyone, letting his desires be known.  By the time I left for the waiting room, no one dared say "feeding tube".  Instead, everyone was talking about the "mic-key button.". 

Once in the waiting room, it only took about 30 minutes before the surgeon came out to declare victory.  They were successful in intubating Ernie.  The surgeon got it on the second try!  (According to the web three strikes and you are out).  Minutes after the surgeon left to go back and work on the trach, the nurse called to reiterate that Ernie doing well.  She also told me that right before he went to sleep, she showed him his mic-key button. 

UPDATE:  The surgeon just came out to say that the trach was in!  On to the mic-key button, which is expected to take another hour.  Looks like the surgery will be done around 10:30 AM. 

UPDATE #2:  Surgery finally concluded around 12:15.  They evidently ran into some difficulties with the feeding tube.  But they did give him his wish.  He has the mic-key button.  We hope get to lay eyes on him around 1:15.  The original plan was for Ernie to spend tonight in the ICU.  We will soon hear what the doctor has now that the surgery is over.