surgery day

We took Ladybug to the children's hospital this morning to receive tubes and have her adenoids removed. It's a fairly minimal, low risk procedure with great possible benefits but certainly not much fun for our little princess. But she actually did great this morning. We had kept the girls up late last night, trying to keep them eating and drinking as much as possible since she wouldn't be allowed anything after midnight. And then they slept well until this morning when we loaded them in the car and headed to the hospital (dropping Butterfly off with Grammy along the way.) As we drove, Ladybug sat quietly in her carseat, still half asleep and clutching her Mickey doll and blanket. Her expression clearly told us that she knew something was up.

Butterfly had the same exact procedure by the same doctor, but in a different facility nearly two years ago. That helped to know what to expect and eased some of our anxiety. We showed up to the hospital and checked in. Ladybug loved the waiting room filled with toys but got briefly upset when Daddy and I were given name tags ("stickers") and identification armbands ("bracelets") at check in and she didn't. Once we were called back, they took her vitals, strapped on her own bracelet and we changed her into her hospital jammies (much softer and cuter than the shapeless gowns given to adults). Then we went to another waiting area (with more toys) to wait some more. The doctor came out to meet with us briefly and soon they called her name.

We had agreed to an oral sedative that would help her relax. The same sedative had been given to her older sister and didn't work the way it was expected. Instead of making her calm and tired, she became very giggly and silly but at least she didn't get upset when we separated or when they gave her an IV. Ladybug received the sedative and similarly, became silly but not at all tired. (we have since concluded that this drug does not work as expected on our children) Daddy had to hold her so she wouldn't fall over and eventually the nurses brought a little red wagon for her to sit in. The nurses showed us where they were going and sent us to another waiting room so Ladybug could be taken to surgery. She told us goodbye but apparently became upset only moments later when she realized daddy was gone. Then they used a gas mask to put her to sleep before putting in the IV for her anesthesia.

We hung out in the parent waiting room for a short time and then the doctor appeared, reassured us that everything went perfectly, that she would likely sleep for awhile and then one of us could go back to be with her as she came around. Sooner than expected, I was called and told where to go so I headed down the hallway remembering how Butterfly had been disoriented and scared when she first woke up. She had whimpered and clung to me and allowed me to comfort her. So I hurried to Ladybug, eager to offer the same kind of comfort (only one of us was allowed in post-op until she was taken to recovery). This was the worst part of the day. Instead of still sleeping, she was crying and thrashing, struggling against the three nurses that were trying to calm her while removing the monitors and IV. I gathered her up but she was still so disoriented and drugged that she couldn't focus long enough to recognize me (in fact, she couldn't even open her eyes but continues to thrash and cry with them closed). Once free from monitors and IVs, I tried to cuddle and walk with her but she continued to flail and resist me. The nurses called for Daddy to come instead (I simply couldn't hold onto her and was worried she might hurt the baby) and he was able to calm and comfort her. In fact, as soon as she calmed down, she downed two bottles of juice and asked for more but fell asleep before they could refill her sippy cup. She slept against Daddy's shoulder as she was taken to recovery and stayed snuggled into his shoulder possessively while she was monitored there.

Soon we received her care instructions and discharge. We stopped at the hospital cafeteria for a quick lunch and Ladybug roused enough to become curious about her surroundings. She sat between us, nibbled at some of the soft foods we offered her, played with some grapes and then curled up with her head on daddy's lap again. So we ate quickly and then as we headed down the long hallway to the exit, Daddy recognized a piece of artwork hanging on the wall as something his brother had drawn at age 7! As a dedicated children's hospital, the hallways are lined with children's artwork but it was especially fun to see something from an "artist" we know (incidentally, this brother really did become an artist and even earned a bachelor's degree in art). We loaded Ladybug into her carseat and Daddy sat next to her to monitor her on the long drive home (that turned out to be unnecessary since she slept the entire way). Once we got home, I tried to cuddle her in my bed but she actually cried to be taken to her own bed where she slept another nearly three hours. Since waking, she was been mostly fussy and clingy, refusing to let me hold or touch her but eager to cuddle Daddy.

Meanwhile Butterfly spent the day with Grammy and has apparently been very well behaved. However she did announce that mommy had the baby, that the baby's name was Arianna and that the baby has tiny hands and small feet. I have no idea what prompted her to say this but rest assured that I am still largely and uncomfortably pregnant. (but with an awesome husband who let me nap today and even ordered Chinese so I wouldn't have to cook). :)