A Difficult Day

It may have been a blessing that the surgery was scheduled within 30 days - The lack of sleep and worry over the unknown was horrible. Thoughts like, "this could be her last time at the playground..." would creep in my head and I knew it had to stop but couldn't push them away. Tom would tear up when we talked about it, so we both just kind of ignored that this was really happening.

We dropped Cole off at Aunt Traci's and made our way to Rady's. When we arrived we were amazed how organized everything was - We were led to a check-in station where we finalized the paperwork and were given a pager (like they give you at Chili's). From there she was weighed and we were put in a small cubicle so we could dress her and wait for nurses.



The first nurse asked a lot of the same questions we were asked at check-in and weigh-in. I was doing okay until the anesthesiologist came in. She made a comment about putting a mask over Hayden's face and I lost it.  She was very sweet and assured me she'd take care of our baby.

Soon after the doctor came in and confirmed information... And then another nurse came to take her back. She was really great with Hayden and asked if she'd like to walk or take a caterpillar wagon.  She went with the wagon and was strapped in with her doll and paci.  She looked so tiny - I lost it again and tried my best to keep her from seeing me upset.  Thank goodness Tom held it together!  We kissed her good-bye and were led to the waiting room. 

We decided sitting there was too much so we walked over to their McDonald's for breakfast.  Not even 25 minutes later, our pager buzzed.  We ran over and met with her doctor - She did it!  The hole was closed and he opted not to take the extra skin.  We were led back to the waiting room and told she would wake up shortly. 

Longest. Wait. Ever. 

Just hoping all would be okay was excruciating.  We waited for almost an hour when we buzzed again.  They led us back and a nurse was holding her, pointing and saying, "There's Mommy!"  Seeing her awake and okay... Can't describe it.  I grabbed her and sobbed. 

She was very floppy and wouldn't open her eyes for awhile - In order for us to leave she had to drink apple juice and she wouldn't touch it.  So we cuddled.  And cuddled some more. 











After 45 minutes or so, she had some juice and they took out her IV. Shortly after we were allowed to dress her and take her home!



We walked out the double doors and our Hayden came back.  Not sure if she thought she was staying, or what, but all signs of the anesthesia disappeared and she was immediately animated and chatty.



Probably relieved it was all over, just like us!