Unfortunately this is a surgical procedure that needs to be done as it affects Jason in the future. We only learnt this last year when Jason was put under to have a circumcision and some tests done. We learnt that Jason has hypospadias (where the hole is not at the tip but further down) and severe chordee (skew). This was picked up when the urologist tried to insert the catheter in and picked up the problem. As this is reconstruction and very delicate Jason's urologist suggested our pediatric surgeon to attend to this. Our good old pediatric surgeon relocated to Cape Town but he suggested another surgeon who actually trained him. We have seen the surgeon twice now in preparation for the surgery. Once before we started the testosterone injections and now after the course of injections. He is happy with the results of the testosterone and is happy for Jason to have the surgery now. Both these problems need to be repaired as they will impact on him when he grows up (being teased) and also when he hits puberty and sexual maturity. We have been seeing the endocrinologist for the past 4 months for the testosterone injections which has helped with growth and also prepares and helps with healing. Jason was born prem 31 weeks weighing 1kg and he hadn't developed great. The testosterone did help.
Bruce and myself have been dreading the surgery for many reasons but we know it is necessary. The question was when to have the surgery. After discussing the surgery with the surgeon we have decided to delay it a few months. The surgeon advised us that there is no mad rush to have the procedure done. Jason has had this his whole life, it is not bothering him and it will not improve his kidneys. The surgeon advised that the reconstruction will probably be done in one procedure. He will use tissue from inside to reconstruct and lengthen the urethra, straighten and move the hole to the tip and do the circumcision at the same time. It is a delicate operation and Jason will need to have a catheter for between 5 and 14 days depending on the procedure obviously. The catheter is used to keep the hole open, prevent infection and also promote healing. With it being October now, not long before Christmas and everybody closing down for the Christmas period we decided it would be better to wait until the new year (probably March) to have the surgery. Bruce and I really just would like to have a nice family holiday and not have any complications before. So without needing to rush the surgery we are rather going to wait a few months. Hopefully by next year Jason will also be stronger, have gained some weight, eating more and overall matured and developed more. For us to do the procedure now it could also impact on his eating and he is doing so well. The surgery could set him back right now and a few months could make a huge difference with his eating, weight gain and strength for the operation.
Hey it's never nice having an operation with our kids. Jason has had two procedures where he has ended up in ICU because of his oxygen dropping and we have ended up staying in hospital for a few days - first one two weeks where we had to do CT scans, MRI's etc and he ended up catching pneumonia. Obviously with Jason every admission is also a risk with infections and him catching whatever is going around. SO all good reasons to postpone the operation until next year and let our family enjoy some family time and a nice family holiday - one time of the year we can all get together and relax.