Surgery

I wasn't surprised when Emma started getting strep every four to six weeks. Nor was I surprised when her doctor said to take her tonsils out. So off we went with the task of finding an ENT to take care of her. I found one close by specializing in pediatrics with lots of experience. His credentials sounded good on paper. Then I learned my friend had gone to this same doctor for her son's surgery about a year ago. I felt better about the decision. We met the doctor, scheduled the surgery, and went about our way.

Plan A- John and I will go with Emma on the big day. We will get someone to watch Timothy and take the baby with us. Amber had school so I wasn't worried about her.

Plan A failed. John had a test in class the morning of surgery. So that leaves me by myself to take Emma. Then the hospital said I couldn't take the baby, even if I am nursing him. Yikes. Okay, this really puts a kink in the plan. Then I found out Amber had short day at school. She was getting out about 1:00 p.m.! What in the world? It seemed nothing was going to happen easily.

Plan B- My dad will go with me and Emma. Jaime will watch my boys, and Amber when she gets home. Okay, looks good now.

But wait, Plan B failed. Despite being in college, my sister couldn't figure out how to get herself to class that morning so my dad had to take her in and pick her up. Class started right about the time I was planning to leave my house. Okay, so my dad would meet me at the hospital. Then I realized Jaime was planning on going out of town that day. Oops. I was feeling like I was asking too much for her to watch my kids and get ready to leave town. But I also felt at a loss for options right about then.

Plan C- My dad will meet me at the hospital. So far it looks good. And a miracle- my brother called, said he had the day off work and wondered if we had a babysitter. He was offering. Oh sweet relief. I could relieve Jaime of babysitting duty, especially since Emma's surgery wasn't scheduled until 11:15 a.m. That would have been difficult for Jaime. And as it turns out, this was more of a miracle than I knew at that moment.

So surgery day rolls around. Despite all my best laid plans, I felt we were derailed again. Nothing ever happens according to the strict plan. I was just pulling into the parking lot of the hospital when the nurse called. "Can you come in any earlier?" Um yeah, not a problem here. I'm feeling good about things right about then. Except that was about ten minutes to eleven. By the time we got fully checked in, it was 11:15. So much for being earlier!

Finally Emma was taken to pre op. We were there only a couple of minutes when my sister calls. Yep, you guessed it. She got out of class early and needed a ride home. Seriously, there's a bus. But to each their own, I suppose. My dad stayed with me and Emma until she was taken into the surgery room. But that wasn't until about 1:20. Yep, we had been there for two hours already. Why did they want us there earlier if they weren't going to get us in earlier? I was frustrated because Emma was so bored.

But, I do have a funny story here. We started watching Tom and Jerry. It was just about the only thing on that could possibly entertain a five year old. The nurse came in and stood between Emma and the TV. Emma moved her head so she could see. The nurse tried to talk to Emma, but Emma didn't want to talk. She wanted to watch Tom and Jerry. She was glued to the TV!

So about 1:20 Emma was wheeled into the operating room. My dad and I went to the waiting room where I checked in with the volunteer and my dad left to pick up Kim. 20 minutes later and I was in a consultation room waiting for the doctor. My dad was back just after I got into the consultation room. Luckily I was right by the elevator so he saw where I was.

Surgery went well. The hardest part of it all was seeing Emma come out of the anesthesia. It was awful watching her crying and hurting. And it is hard knowing she was still hooked up to so many things it was not feasible to hold her at that moment. When it was all said and done we didn't get home until about 3:30 p.m.

Five days later- Emma has improved by leaps and bounds. She is eating more regular foods. She is talking more. At first she would only point and grunt when she wanted to talk. Her voice is higher now that she doesn't have all that blockage in her throat. And I have learned that Emma has a high tolerance for pain. I think I knew that before, but she hasn't asked for much pain meds. I haven't forced them on her either. If she complains I will give her some. She is doing amazingly well.

She was playing outside yesterday. This morning she has been teasing everybody. She is starting to feel more like herself. I am so happy to see her take this so well. And so far, she hasn't acted like she's mad at me for putting her through all of this!

Despite the many roads it took us to get everything taken care of, I'm glad it worked out. Someone knows better than I how things should go. Maybe I need to trust him more!

Oh, before I forget. Check out this link if you want to see pics from surgery day!