9am Update

Last night seemed to take forever to end. I couldn't go to sleep. Then when I finally did the alarm went off at 2:30am so I could give her some water before the cut off. That is certainly one advantage of having a tube fed child. I can keep her well hydrated prior to surgery. (That and I don't have to worry about medicines tasting yucky.) And keeping her well hydrated makes it easier for them to gain access to her veins.

Once I gave her the water, I couldn't fall back asleep. I'm sure I will be one tired puppy later.

Harlie was a little hard to wake this morning, as she was up late, too. I guess being somewhere different and sleeping in the same room with us made her a bit excited. She danced around and wanted to jump up and down on the bed. Calming her down was not easy. And it is hard for me because I am so happy to see her acting like a typical toddler.

Anyway, I was able to get her diaper changed and mostly dressed (socks, ankle braces, shoes, pants - all but the shirt) before she finally opened her eyes. I thought for sure she would be mad that I was waking her so early. But she looked at Tom and waved "hi" and smiled just as cheery as ever.

Once they took us back we had to swab her down again with those same pre-surgical wipes. She just sat there being so cooperative. I am truly thankful that she gives us absolutely no flack, but sad at the same time. I hate that this has all become all too familiar for her. And you would think that we would be the same way (so used to it, I mean). But it is just getting harder and harder to have to say goodbye. Especially this time, when I know what the recovery will entail. Luckily, the hospital staff understands, and they gave her Versed through her g-tube to help put her at ease. I believe that's also an amnesia drug so she doesn't remember saying goodbye. If only we could have some, too!

Anyway, the cardiac anesthesiologist came in and talked with us before they took her back. He said that he thought that her surgeon was planning on doing both surgeries. He said we should hear how it all went by about 2pm today.

We have a pager and they will page us once they've made the incision, when she's on the heart bypass machine, when she's off the bypass and then when they are done.

They took her at 7:45am, and they said for us to expect at least an hour or so for anesthesia to gain access (she will have numerous lines for numerous purposes). I am so glad that she will be under for all that poking! When I left the waiting area (8:45am) to come to the library to update the blog, we had not heard from them.

So, we just wait. I'll update again when I know something.
Thanks for checking,
Christy