Surgery Day!

July 17, 2012

What a beautiful day! It’s hot, humid and an early start in our home today! Last week we visited Dr. Sigmond, and ENT doctor here in the metro. After 8 ear infections and antibiotics not working, we decided that it was time we took our little lady to a specialist to see what we could/couldn’t do. After passing her right hearing test, and failing the left, as well as another look inside…Tubes were the answer.

As a mother, I was heartbroken knowing that not only was my daughter now scheduled for surgery, but knowing that I let her ears go long enough that hearing damage could have been done. The doctors reassured me that MOST of the hearing tests are passed after the tubes are placed and the fluid drains a bit. Until then I am very nervous. The last few months I have felt inclined to learn sign language and teach my children, I hope her hearing isn’t permanently damaged and that was why I have been so impressed by it.

With the impression I have begun teaching both children, Melody-Ann within a week or two of working on it, I am pleased that she has pretty much mastered the word “more”. Hunter, well at nearly 7 months hasn’t caught on yet.

So, that leads us to today. Melody-Ann was scheduled for surgery at 8:30 AM, and we were to be there about 7:30 AM. We were blessed to have my mother passing through so she was able to help out with Hunter while both Amos and I were able to focus on little lady! Little lady LOVES her sleep so she was pretty upset that we woke her up AND denied her food/drink! For me that was one of the most challenging parts of the entire day; looking at the tears in her eyes KNOWING she was hungry and thirsty, since she was cut off at midnight! While sitting in the waiting room we signed the admitting paperwork, and cuddled her while she was entertained watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on my phone.

When they called us back we walked down a small hallway into a corridor type area where there were cloth curtains dividing each “room”. The nurse restated the procedure and reassured at least myself that it was a quick 10-20 minute procedure and just local anesthesia, so just a quick inhale of bubble gum flavored gas and she would be right awake, no IV’s breathing help etc. The nurse fell in love with Melody-Ann as she willingly allowed her to check her heartbeat with the little finger clasp! She was so willing that she had it checked on both big toes AND a finger, the nurse only needed the one big toe check but lovingly let Melody-Ann “play”. After sitting patiently for about 30-40 minutes, playing with her cat, Dr. Sigmond came in to greet us and again re-explain the procedure. Just behind him Dr. Zach was anesthesiologist that was assigned to us, he hardly finished and the RN was in to get Melody-Ann. It all happened so quickly. The RN asked Melody-Ann if she liked balloons as a coax to get her to walk with her. Melody-Ann being a smart little girl, grabbed me and held on while the nurse took her and her blanket. Instead of prolonging the fact, I handed her over to the nurse and gave her a kiss as we parted ways, she headed left as we went right. I watched as my little girl was taken through big doors and waved and blew kisses.

While waiting for Melody-Ann, I was grateful for the TV in the waiting room it kept my mind distracted. It wasn’t much after getting out from the Pre-Op to the waiting room that they were calling us back! I had my little girl back in my arms. The surgery center provided Melody-Ann a popsicle and apple juice, which Melody-Ann gladly she accepted. She was placed right in my lap and cuddled in; my little lady who hardly cuddles was now! I knew she wasn’t quite herself yet but enough to recognize daddy and I. We received our post-op and scheduled her re-check in Dr. Sigmond’s office.

Melody-Ann was so concerned as to where her little brother was. She is such a great big sister. I am blessed to have not only one but TWO wonderful babies who just adore one another. I am grateful for a husband who not only is a great husband an even better father to the children that Heavenly Father blessed me with. I am grateful for modern medicine that will help my daughter feel better and be able to live a healthy life.

Pre - Op Photo

Post - Op Photo

With Love,
Alexis