Surgery

Last night we put Audra to bed in a new pair of footsie pajamas...so we could wake her up and put her right in the car this morning.  She did not know what to make of her new jammies.  She kept grabbing her feet, wondering where they were and why she couldn't see them.

We woke up early this morning, got one last drink of apple juice into Audra and got on the road for the hospital by 6:30am. By that time rush hour was in full force so it took us an hour and a half to get there.  Poor Audra, her little tummy got a bit upset and she got sick in the car. Maybe it was the stop and go traffic, or maybe it was her nerves.  She can smile through anything though, bless her sweet little self!

She played happily in the waiting room...

and the pre-op area...

She must have been so very hungry...my girl who loves to eat something fierce...but never once did she seem upset that we hadn't given her something to eat yet today. 

She had her favorite pink flamingo-bunny with her all day long!  It's been with her for each and every CHOP visit, test, procedure and admission since she received it from her "PICU Fan Club" during her very first ER visit back in May.  My co-workers in the PICU love on Audra immensely and spoil her silly..as she so deserves!

One last kissy, kiss picture to send to all the family and friends before heading into the OR.  

I got dressed up for the occasion and went with Audra into the OR while the anesthesiologist helped her drift off to sleep peacefully.  She was so brave!  She didn't get upset at all.  Not one tear!

I am so grateful they allowed me to do this again.  This was the 5th time I have held my sweet girl as she received anesthesia.  So much less traumatizing!  Not only for her...but also me. 

 

At 11:30am our wait began.

 

At 12:20pm we got our first update...the surgeon said it would take the longer side of her estimated timeline.  So maybe 2.5-3 hours. 

 

At 1:15pm we got our second update...the surgeon was still in the process of checking the entire length of her intestines

 

At 1:45pm we got our last update...Audra's intestines looked pretty good.  The parts that were in the wrong places (duodenum, ligament of Treitz, and the cecum) were repositioned and secured to the abdominal wall.  She also had her appendix removed because if Audra had ever developed appendicitis in the future, its incorrect position in her abdomen would have made diagnosing appendicitis very challenging.  The entire surgery was able to be done laproscopically.  So, she has 4 small (about 1/2 inch) incisions on her belly. 

 

At 2:15pm we finally got to see our sweet girl in the recovery room.  She was still very sleepy.  She was given two different medications for pain control and she was very comfortable.  Amen!

 

We are now all tucked into our room for the next few days.  Because the surgeon manipulated her bowels quite a bit, Audra has a tube down her nose into her stomach that is connected to suction so her stomach can remain empty.  It is expected that her bowels will be sleepy for a day or two.  We are praying that is all the time they need to "wake up" and get moving.  Audra will not be allowed to eat as long as the tube is in. 

 

As I type this she is sound asleep.  She hasn't cried or fussed at all tonight!  Her belly must be uncomfortable, but she is just so strong.  Strongest little girl I know!

 

We are so happy to have this part behind us and hopefully, hopefully be a little closer to getting her "big and healthy". 

 

Thank you for surrounding her with your prayers, and sweet thoughts today.  We have been blessed in so many ways today, this we know, and for this we are thankful.