Filip has surgery

Filip was born with a birthmark on his left leg. Nothing dangerous, but it was rather large and with time it carries a slightly increased risk for developing a melanoma. So we decided to have it removed. To avoid the rather trying treatment with inflatable skin expanders the surgery is done in serial steps, removing just the right amount at each surgery, allowing normal “stretching” of the remaining skin. Filip’s had two surgeries so far, and now it was time for the third (and hopefully last) time.

During the previous two operations Flip hasn’t really been aware of what was going on. This time we had talked alot about the operation and the anaesthesia. He was very good and calm at the surface with a little nervousness underneath. On our way to the operating room he whispered “Daddy, I’m folding my hands now”. One of the times he actually practiced what we’ve discussed about having “a prayer in your heart”…

Filip liked the anaesthetic nurse – she was really good at putting the plastic tube in the blood vein, without Filip feeling anything! This is the last picture before the anaesthetics and Filip falling asleep:

The surgery went swift and within a couple of hours Filip was back at the post-op ward, still sleeping for another hour or so:

While Filip was sleeping, Matilda took the chance to close her eyes for a few minutes. Registration took the better part of yesterday, and todays schedule required an early start at 5:30:

Soon Filip woke up. A little dizzy at first, but he quickly regained his strength:

The nurses were really nice and treated Filip like a prince. They offered him small toys, lemonade, fruit-yogurt, pancakes and even icecream!

As we drove home later that afternoon Filip concluded that having surgery (for his birthmark) wasn’t that bad – it was actually quit fun – thanks to all the good doctors and nurses minimizing the “trauma”!