A challenge will bring out either the best or the worst in a person. We are pleased to report that today it brought out the best of Wes. It had all the potential to be fraught with meltdowns but he put his magical twist on things once again.

We arrived at 9am as requested for the sedated MRI and echo. Wes had fasted since dinner and had a little Pedialyte before 7am. After that we pretended we didn’t know what food was. Except for the Starbucks coffee and snacks we snuck while walking behind the stroller. Unfair, we know. The unit was running an hour behind schedule, so we hung out for a little over an hour with a hungry kid who was in the middle of missing a nap. Meltdown? Crying disaster? Nope. He was a DOLL. Completely.

At 10am we were called and, after re-reviewing the surgical consent form re-signing some papers with Dr. Nuri since yesterday Dr. Lee forgot to sign his papers, we met Nurse Mike. He and the other various people who came through, introduced themselves, and told us what their jobs were (don’t quiz us) all joined the Wes fan club. Anesthesiologist Al gave Wes a cocktail which he gulped down and then Wacky Wes showed up. The kid got super loopy and I’m sure we were supposed to be very concerned and serious, but we couldn’t help but laugh at his little drunk face and smiles. We kissed him goodnight at 11am and headed out for some air and lunch.

We received updates each hour and were back in the waiting room when Mike came to get us around 2. Wes was still pretty out of it but adorably cranky and hoarse (from the breathing tube) and snuggly. He had some milk and we were on our way by 3:15. We kept a close eye on him when we got home as instructed since his balance and coordination was still messed up from the anesthesia. By dinner he was feeling like himself with large smiles of mouthfuls of food. Wes played in his last bath for a while, things went a little sideways, (why wouldn’t you poop in the tub the night you’re supposed to wash with the special anti-germ soap?), but he’s clean, pj’d, and sleeping happily.

Tomorrow we will arrive at 7am for his 8:30am surgery.