August was a slower month for us because Paige had her surgery to remove her menigocele. We had to go up to Calgary two days before so we could get some blood work done for her and Max also had a follow up on his ears! Busy day. But I manged to convince my parents and Dani and Chase to come up and spend the following day at Calaway Park for some fun before Surgery day!
(I'll do another post on Calaway after this)
Her surgery was August 14 6:30 in the morning. Yup. Dan's birthday. Lucky guy got to sit in a hospital all day! We checked in at 6:30 but they didn't take her back until 8:00 so lucky us we had to keep her occupied and happy. She didn't do to bad (she was "fasting" and this kid can get hangry when shes not fed) She did good though.
I went back into the room with her while they put her under. That was a new experience and if I'm totally honest not my favorite. Never really wanna do that again. bleh. Then we just had to sit and wait in the waiting room for HOURS! seriously so many people came and went in the time we were there. I think there was about 8 ear tubes that were done (that i remember i'm sure there was more)
They told us it would be about 3-4 hours and that longer doesn't mean bad. I knew we were in for the longer haul because our neurosurgeon is very thorough and always takes that longer time. Luckily the WIFI is excellent in the waiting room.
Just after 12:00 the doctors came in and told us everything went great. Neuro went through what they had done and how when they opened up the menegocele there was some matter in the pouch that they hadn't expected. So they scooped it all out and sent it off to Pathology. Neuro closed her up and the plastics took over the outer part in stitching her back together. He said it went great except for this one spot that they couldn't stretch anymore and that it would be a bald spot. I wasn't too worried. They said it was on the side of her head which will be covered by all the hair she as anyway.
We then had to wait another hour and a half. For no reason except they claimed they didn't know where we were. GAH! We had to go to the front desk and ask about her and find out where she was. They then told us that they weren't sure we had the pager (we did) and that they didn't know where we were (yet the always tell parents to stay in the waiting room and we never leave). It's the second time this has happened to us with Paige. Which is a little frustrating but luckily Paige is always fine and they always move her down to the PICU.
When we finally got to her she saw me and just snuggled me! Oh it was the best. (The snuggles) Dan got to snuggle her too. Though once we were holding her she wouldn't let us set her down! It was a rough night for that! Luckily they brought in a bed for her that I could lay in while holding her. brought me back to those newborn days. Though my back didn't like it then and it didn't like it now. We managed to get some sleep between all the checks and pain management.
She woke up the next morning more herself. Still a little groggy and sore but overall pleasant. They moved us up to the 4th floor as well! Which means a lot less light during the night and a little less bugging from nurses. We got to go on walks more and out and about which helps her and us not being stuck in one room all day! She even slept pretty good in the crib they brought in for her!
The next day August 16 we got discharged in the afternoon. We spent the morning playing in their play rooms for the kids and then got kicked out shortly after lunch time. FREEDOM!
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| enjoying her pickle |
We had to stop back at Dan's Uncle and Aunts house for our stuff. Set Paige down on the floor and she immediately went for the stairs and started climbing them! (crazy kid)
We made it to Clareshom before Paige started screaming. So I held her on my lap the rest of the way! Luckily we didn't get pulled over. That would be fun explaining to a Police officer and letting them see her wicked scar on the back of her head from surgery!
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| The last of her long scraggly hair! |
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| Grandma gave her a stylish new do! |
As soon as we got home that girl was so happy and excited. Within another day or two she was back to her crazy self. climbing stairs and motoring around the place. You never woulda thought she just had a big surgery! Her head attracted a few more stares (we're used to that) than normal but it was a pretty good looking scar on her noggin!
Glad to have that over and done with!
All our post op check ups have been great! They were blown away by how fast she recovered and healed up! So we only have to check in now every 6 months! Which is fantastic! Ideally soon we'll get to yearly.
Love this strong miracle baby!
