Arianna's Surgery Day

It was a chilly walk to the hospital but it was nice. Arianna had her doll. And I had my daughter to talk with. I told her it was going to be okay. And she said that she was fine but she didn't want the IV placed while awake. I told her that was a very good decision.

As we walked through the entrance I told her we would take the stairs. We didn't have to wait long for Admitting to open. Once the doors were open, we checked in and they placed her ID bracelet on. Then all we had to do was sit. We didn't sit for long and were called back by the nurse to answer just a few questions and to take her blood pressure and temperature. Then back out to the waiting room only to wait once again for such a short while before being called to be taken up to the preop holding area.

Once in the holding room, I asked Arianna if she wanted to sing Happy Birthday to her sister Paylynn. She said yes so I recorded her and Gracey singing. It was funny to see her smiling in the video and then get really serious when the nurse entered in the room. The nurse brought a pair of pants and gown for Arianna to change into and a warm blanket to cover up with. Anesthesia was first to meet with her and we told them that she would like to do the mask and then have the IV placed once asleep. They asked her what flavor and she picked root beer. They asked her if she wanted me to go back into the OR room with her. She said yes.

The OR nurse came to say HI. And then Dr. Millis came to HI. A child life specialists also came to ask if she wanted to play a game or color. She wanted to color. So she colored and watched a movie on the Ipad. Then once all was ready I was given a blue hat, blue gown, and blue mask. I put it on and then they wheeled her back and I followed. They had her move onto to the OR table. And the OR nurse began to secure her legs as anesthesia prepared to place the mask. Once they brought it close to her face her anxiety broke free. She attempted to push it away but I took her hands and told her all was going to be okay. I was here for her and she was in such wonderful hands and then she fell asleep. I then was guided out to the waiting area where I checked in. At this time I asked where I could pump since I was still breastfeeding Edgar.

Back in the room I just cried because it was so hard to watch my daughter be so brave and then watch her fears come out at the last minute. It was hard as a mother to be strong but I did it for her. I was so proud of her.

As I exited the room where I pumped, the health history nurse from the previous day was coming towards me calling my name. She had something in her hand. She said they were going to need another urine sample---I about dropped to the floor thinking "oh my goodness I was pregnant how could it be". But she said it was because mine was contaminated and I need not to worry. I explained to her why I looked to shocked and she tried hard not to laugh.

The waiting was hard on me. It was just me. I did listened to my music and crocheted. I also read my book. I was updated when the incision was made and then once the doctor was fixating the hip. Then the Dr. Millis came out with such a happy face. He was just so pleased as he spoke to me. At that point I knew this was the best thing I could do for my daughter.

I did have to wait about another 30 minutes before going back to recovery room. I definitely wasn't prepared for that. She looked so pale. The PACU nurse was wonderful at explaining everything to me. She gave report to the floor nurse and then right before they moved her, Arianna got sick so the nurse had to give her some medicine.

She was in room 1026 B. She did have a room mate her age but was going to be discharged the next day. Her room mate and mother were so polite. And then the floor was going to hold the other bed for me since I was having surgery on Monday.

Arianna kept getting sick. She also had an epidural so she could push a button to get a bolus if hurting. She seemed to need to push the button about every 2-3 hours which to me was really good considering she could have a bolus every 30 minutes. They also said she could have ice chips and clear liquids as tolerated. Since she was getting sick about every 2 hours I just gave her a few ice chips to wet her mouth. Once her night nurse came on she began the breathing exercises hourly. Arianna also only got sick just once during the night. So it was good that she wasn't getting sick anymore.

For me it was different to play the caregiver, even if it was only for 3 days.