Today was the "day before surgery". I would have had no idea what to expect if it hadn't been for Renee's posts over at A
Bakers Dozen. We started out at 8:30 AM with an appointment with the Child Life Specialist to get a quick tour of the pre-op area as well as the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where Della will be staying during her stay. (Apparently, they put all the heart patients there regardless of whether they are critical, that way they are all together in one spot). We then went home for lunch and a nap and then we returned to the hospital for her pre-anesthesia appointment. We were asked a lot of questions about her medical history and were given the run down on when she could have food and drinks. Then they told us they would need a urine sample, blood work and a chest X-ray. We definitely were not aware that any of that was going to happen but I guess it didn't come as a huge surprise.
Della was a trooper all day except when they wanted to take blood. I'm sure she was remembering the appointment on the day of her CT Scan when they poked her 5 times to get an IV in! She is definitely losing her trust of doctors, nurses, and anyone else wearing scrubs within a mile of her.
By the end of the day she was tired and cranky. We really can't blame her. Tomorrow is the "Big Day" and we are anxiously waiting for it to be over. We originally thought she'd be going in for surgery at noon but they apparently decided to move it back to 3. Wish us luck in keeping her semi happy while eating only clear liquids the entire day! I'll try to update Facebook tomorrow as I can and I will attempt to at least post a quick update on here tomorrow night.
<3 you baby girl. I know you will do great!
ReplyDeleteWhen they were trying to find an IV site for Lilly's CT, they literally poked her 11 times day one(she was mildly sedated). Sent us home, and brought her back 2 weeks later, 4 more times, then finally I had enough. I told them to put her in the PICU and have one of their nurses do it. Finally they were able to get it on the first try and do the CT scan. It was so hard for me to sit there, and watch them. She was 9mths old then. Now she is 3 and if they can't get it in by the 2nd try, I tell them no.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that Della is doing well now! :)