First Day Back

I haven't  posted anything about my little man's ordeal over the last few weeks/months. Today I have decided to share.
Back in July at his 4 year check up the doctor detected a murmur.(a very diligent and skilled doctor I might add- not his usually pediatrician but a replacement who was only at that office for 2 weeks!)  He decided to send my little man for a chest x-ray, an ECG and later an ECHO. After those results came in we were referred to a pediatric cardiologist. We finally got in to see him late September (in true Ontario Medical system style). It was strongly  recommended he go for surgery to have the defect/hole closed. As this wasn't an urgent case we requested the procedure be done in January as we had a vacation booked for December, something we'd been planning since August-before we even knew he'd need surgery.
During this whole waiting period between finding out he'd need to have surgery to the actual date of the operation I was calm and confident things would go well. Other members of my family were freaking out to the point that I was getting almost angry with them. There was crying, praying and a whole sense of gloom around here for quite some time. Closer to the date of the surgery I was starting to feel guilty for NOT being all freaked out and crying.
Once the time came for him to go to the hospital we tried to prepare him and spoke to him about what was going to happen to him. A child life specialist at Sick Kids also showed him how the tubes would be put in him and how he would be given medicine for sleeping. She was really awesome with him and he took to her very quickly! We tried to reassure him things would be okay and he had nothing to worry about. Unfortunately I had a very bad cough/cold- (the doc said it was a respiratory infection but not pneumonia) Either way this illness prevented me from going to the hospital for several days, while he was recovering in the ICU. That was the hardest part of this whole thing. I wanted to be there for him and I wanted him to know I really wanted to be there. He was in no condition post-op for talking on the phone but we explained to him that I was really sick and couldn't come but would come as soon as I could. He spent three nights in hospital (we were told he`d be there 5 but they felt he was ready to come home earlier!) and enjoyed the playroom there quite a lot. The giant Hummer toy and Pirate Ship were well used during his stay.
Once we got him he was very clingy and would not let me out of his site. He followed me everywhere-if I got  up to get a glass of water from the kitchen, he`d be right behind me, If I needed to go to the washroom, there he was. He slept in my bed with me for the first 3 nights and has been waking in the middle of the night to come to our bedroom every night since. We wonder how long this will last!
Lots of people came by to visit while he was there. He was showered with attention (naturally!!) by all his family and friends. Everyone was so  wonderful during the whole ordeal. He received more Spiderman colouring books and action figures than one kid could ever possibly need or use!
Today after 2 weeks he is back at school for the first time. He was very upset and nervous about going back and leaving me. His teacher asked him to be her special helper today. I do hope that he is happier and more comfortable before the end of the day!
Tonight at bath time we are going to try to get off more the bandage goo that is still stuck to his neck, tummy and arms! Not sure what to use for that but am going to look for some tips soon!