Ana just plain makes me laugh. She slept poorly again last night so at 4:30 I gave up on the idea of sleep and pulled her into bed with me. She laid there slurping on the ears of "Mimi", her stuffed rabbit until the lights came on at 4:50 and then she was instantly awake and trying to climb up the headboard of the bed. We all got ready pretty quickly and were out the door by 5:35, but not before I got a picture of Ana standing by the door. It is SUCH a cute picture - can't wait to post it tomorrow. :)
Anyway, off to the surgical center, where we were scheduled for a 6:15 arrival. All went smoothly, we got checked in and Ana was off to play with Grandma for a few minutes in the playroom before her name was called and we were whisked off to the pre-op waiting area. It was there that I got Ana changed and we met her anesthesiologist, who gave her a little presurgical mask to play with so she would recognize it when it was coming at her filled with sleep-inducing drugs. Ana kept busy practicing with that little bubble gum scented gas mask on everyone from Grams/Gramps to Mimi, but not before sitting down to quickly remove what was supposed to be the super industrial anti-removal strength ankle ID bracelet they had put on her. Ah, that's my girl...busy up to the last minute. At 7:45 I kissed Ana goodbye and put her into the very capable arms of one of the nurses and then we moved to the main waiting area to, well, to wait.
I guess it was around 11:15 or so that we got the call to come in and talk to Dr. Baker, who informed us that it had gone very well. He told me that Ana has a very small head, which we knew, but he was still able to manipulate the implant into a good position and angle it just how he wanted it. Overall he seemed very pleased with the surgery. He informed us that the splint I had requested had been put on her right arm to prevent her from pulling at her bandages (the implant is on her right ear). Mom, Dad and I had all been discussing which would be the worst of two bothersome things for Ana - the common arm splint choice or just constantly monitoring her w/o a splint to remind her not to touch her dressings. Mom had a wonderful idea of a full body cast but the doctor didn't go for that - HA!
We waited just a few minutes longer and then Mom and I were allowed to go in (only two people allowed). The first thing I saw at the end of that long hall was my baby and she looked like she had been scalped - "AHHH LOOK AT HER HAIR!", I said, but the closer I got the more I could see that it was just a HUGE flesh colored bandage wrapped around her tiny head and shoots of her jet black hair dangling over the top. She was crying and obviously distressed, just in her diaper w/a warming blanket against her, eyes closed and so agitated. There was no splint on her arm...they had already removed it because the nurse said she was hurting herself with it in her distress to not be able to bend her arm. This was why we wanted the body cast option - HA! Anyway, I took Ana into my arms but I know it took a bit for her to realize it was Mommy because she was upset for a time yet - imagine her little mind trying to wrap itself around what was happening around her and not quite being able to open her just out of surgery eyes to see who had taken her and obviously not being able to hear my voice. Needless to say, in a couple minutes Mom and I had her comfy cozy and she was snoring on my chest for the next 45 minutes or so.
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It is now late afternoon and this is my second attempt to get this blog launched. I was going to try and get over to Jeri and Billy's today but Ana awoke from her rest and needed me so we decided it's just best for me to stick close to her side today. I will post pictures tomorrow sometime but do know that all went great and we are again so thankful for all your continued prayers as we enter into the healing stage of this process. She is sleeping off and on but seems to just want to be in her bed regardless so that is where she is, continuing to slurp on Mimi. :)
I must head back upstairs for now...more tomorrow!
~Lisa
P.S. Happy 5th Birthday Charlie Camilo!!!
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5 comments:
We are so happy for you! God is good, all the time. This is such a great way to get news ... much like the Care Page we had three years ago when we had some mighty big trials of our own. But God saw us through, and He will do the same for you. We didn't see Simon today. :( Wonder if he ate his Snickers bar yet.
Love from Molly & Ole
PS - The names ... Ole has called me Molly since we were dating (many moons ago), and Ole comes from the last name, obviously. Where did "buzzards" come from? Sleep well.
Our daughter just recently received her second implant.
She is 21 months, it is a incredible process watching her build sounds and speech. Knowing that the alternative would have been silence is unbearable. Now the fears of the surgery are just a past memory. We goto to therapy each week and we both work with her on new words and sounds and objects. You have made the right choice for your daughter.
This is Bob's wife....
Our daughter is the youngest bilaterally implanted child that Hough has performed. She is such a normal child. She was 1st implanted at 11 months and received her 2nd at 19 months. She is incredible. No one would ever know that this was once a deaf child.
Good luck through your journeys. We have been in yout shoes..twice! You have not made a wrong choice. The road ahead won't be the easiet, but it will be the most rewarding!
Please feel free to email me if you would like.I love to tell our story and it helps another family--even better!
angeladodd@cox.net
God bless,
Angela Dodd
I must explain...a lady I work with attends your church in Tulsa...this is how we found your blog.
Angela
Bob and Angela - I sent an e-mail your way, so hopefully you received it!
~Lisa
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