Pink Tears
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Surprised and relieved… the surgery actually went through without a hitch. An anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, physicians assistant, two nurses, and two doctors (who showed this time) attended to Evie in surgery. The doctor team met with us to confirm that all had gone well. Her lungs look better than expected. There is slight compression on the left side, but it is believed that this is due to her original heart defect. Biopsies of both lungs will be cultured and should give us more information.
I got to be with her coming out of anesthesia in the post-operative care room. She woke up throwing her weight around and promptly kicked off most of her leads and nearly pulled her PH probe that is supposed to stay in overnight. From the probing of her left duct, she was crying blood-tinged pink crocodile tears! Oh so sad!
We were told to expect her to be back to herself by this afternoon, but she is far from that. Judging from the 7 hours she has slept today, I think she’s still feeling the sedation. She is most upset about the restraints they have on her arms to keep her from grabbing the probe in her nose. She has developed a fever which has made her heart rate spike and she’s thrown up several times. I think we’re in for a long night. She’s a tummy sleeper (which is covered with EKG lines) and loves to cuddle her blanket (which is impossible in this “straight jacket”).
She was feeling up to a couple visitors this evening. Levi (aka Scooby-Doo) is a “therapy” dog (a whopping Great Dane who weighs more than I do) that makes rounds in the children’s wing. Our favorite Richland nurse Judy (who actually worked on Evie in the ICU the night we almost lost her) came by for a visit this afternoon. The precious Butcher family brought me dinner and Wyatt was Evie’s honorary big brother tonight and even got a couple giggles out of her while playing peek-a-boo. Grandma and Mrs. Brenda came by with a beautiful birthday balloon for the princess. So here we sit, holding court:-)
So many memories in this place…kissing her and the overwhelming smell of medical tape on her face, the constant beeping of monitors, dry hands from harsh antibacterial foam, a tangle of wires and probes that quickly form a jumbled mess and that sad little face that doesn’t understand why she’s going through so much. What a day.
Thank you for praying her through another valley. God has again been gracious and we have felt carried today through your prayers and support! May her tiny life continue to bring glory to her Creator!
…and may this year be a bit easier on the little munchkin!
Prayed for ya’ll all throughout the day and will continue. Grateful for a good report! Love you.
-Whitt
wish i could be there to bring you breakfast pancakes tomorrow morning…
Praising God for this little girls life!
Praise the Lord! Been praying!! Hang in there!! Wish we were going to see Abi this week!! =( Keep it in mind for next trip!! We love you guys!
Praise the Lord! So glad to hear that everything went well. I was thinking about you all day! If you need anything, you know where to find me :O)
Jess
I prayed and thought about you often!!! I am so glad for a good update.
mandy…i continue to pray peace and fast healing for princess evie!
…and for very good reports to come back!
so amazing to see how He carries you all through these scary times…caring for every detail and in His timing His way
ps love the new family pics! beautiful!
Happy Birthday Evie!! 🙂 So proud of you and all your courage!! 🙂 You deserve an extra big bday cake! 🙂
Give your mama a big kiss for me!!
Yeah for a successful surgery! How relieved you must feel along with a little anxiety, such is the life of a heart family. She is precious and a fighter. Hope she is home very soon being naughty!
Thank the LORD!!! I have been thinking of you and was finally able to get a few moments to get to the computer. You all have been on my heart and i was so happy to read what I did. Oh, and God bless the Butcher’s. What wonderful friends they are. Love to you and i wish I was there to give hugs to all of you. Stay strong and stay warm. Yes, -13 degrees today!!
Love, Suzie