Day One: The Surgery and Recovery

Aidan went into the operating room around 11 AM Tuesday, December 4, 2012. The surgery lasted three hours. The surgeons found that an infection which they thought they had cleaned out and beaten two years ago had been slowly growing and infecting Aidan's skull bone. 

The surgical team drilled out every vestige of decay in the bone, much as a dentist drills the decay out of a tooth. They did not find any infection in the lining or in the brain itself for which we are all profoundly thankful. He has permanently lost a good bit of skull bone which will leave a noticeable dip or hollow area. His hair will regrow and cover that area eventually. 

We are glad everything went well. The pictures show Aidan still hovering between wakefulness and sleep. He is not suffering any pain and seems to be in good spirits. 

Thank you for praying for him, the surgical team, and all the rest of us who are feeling the stress. He will probably be in hospital for a week or so and will leave with an IV line through his arm into his heart so that two powerful antibiotics can be administered constantly for the next three months. 

The Closest Aidan Could Get to a Smile

Dad Keith Administers First Drink After Surgery

Mom, Aidan, Sock Monkey and Grandma Popjes

Time for another nap, with Sock Monkey, from Grandma Penner

Part of the University of Alberta Hospital