A year after the "Tough Day"

It was a year ago today, that we almost lost Harlie.  Crazy to think about.  And it is 'funny' to read my post from that day.  I pretty much glazed over what almost happened.  I didn't write about what it felt like to hear what happened.  Ah, I suppose you can figure that out.  I remember that it took a few minutes for me to react.  And it was interesting to hear how it was in the OR.

Harlie's plastic surgeon came out to talk to me first.  And for those of you that don't know, her plastic surgeon is Dr. Bill Magee.  He and his wife founded Operation Smile.  And I worked there from 1997 to 2000.  So, I knew him prior to him becoming one of her surgeons.  I think that relationship makes our conversations a little more personal and heart felt.

And one thing I didn't mention in that post was how easily it could have gone the other way.  During pre-op stuff that morning, her cardiac anesthesiologist (CA) (the same one that was in the OR during her jaw reconstruction in December) was debating on whether to put an A-line in (an arterial line vs. a regular IV).  The benefit to an A-line is that they can constantly monitor her blood pressure.  Whereas with a regular IV (just in a vein, not an artery) they have to use a blood pressure cuff on a timer, meaning that it takes a blood pressure every three minutes or whatever time they want.

There's more to getting an A-line in vs. a regular IV, of course.  So, when the surgeon and CA were in the exam room prior to surgery, they were discussing it.  Her surgeon said it would be a quick 45-minute procedure, not sure if it was worth getting an A-line.  At that time her CA said he was debating it because he didn't know how much blood loss she'd have with the wound, so he would think about it and make the call in the OR.

Thankfully, he decided to do the A-line.  And that's what saved her life.

Since it was constantly monitoring her blood pressure vs. only getting a BP every so-many-minutes, they knew immediately when her heart stopped beating.  And they told her surgeon to back up and get out of the way, and went into action.   Her surgeon said it was so impressive how calm and controlled and quick they were at getting things right again.  And it wasn't until they had her "stable" enough to continue the surgery that they all took a deep breath.

He said she gave them all quite a scare.  Luckily, I was none the wiser.  Sitting out in the waiting room with Brandy (Harlie's nurse), probably enjoying some quiet time to myself.  Ugh.  That thought kind of makes me sick.  I'd rather never have quiet time to myself again!

Anyway, that's pretty much the story.  Not a good a experience for a parent, that's for sure.  Just another reason for me to be thankful every day.  Which I was prior to that, but still.

And here we are.  A year later.  And today Harlie has gymnastics!  Which she LOVES.  And then school.

So, so thankful we are to see her smiling face every day!!!

Thanks!
~Christy