Belinda is back in the operating room now. They said I should get to see her again in about an hour.

We took an Uber here and the guy was very nice, but quiet. That was fine with me because I like to be quiet too. Belinda and I pointed out things we saw on the way. When we got here, I didn’t understand how the elevators worked and an employee helped us but he seemed a little annoyed with me, sadly.

***My pager went off while I was writing this and the procedure went well and it’s already over!! She’s in recovery now and my pager will buzz one more time when I get to go to her.

Well, I wanted to recap what happened this morning so I’ll pick it up there.

I made a wrong turn upstairs and led Belinda through the cafeteria before we found the right direction, which was a shame since she couldn’t have anything to eat.

**My pager went off again and now I’m back with her in Recovery Bay 35. Maybe I’m not meant to recap the whole day. I’ll try to make things quicker.

So the lady was real nice when we got checked in. We got the pager then. It went off when it was time for us to go to registration. We got our bracelets from a coolo guy and then he said that the computer showed there was a $500 facility fee. I said that we were told we had met our deductible and out-of-pocket max and he said he didn’t know why it was on there so not to worry about it. We will see what that leads to.

They had a hard time putting in the IV again. The lady that everyone said was the absolute best tried and failed twice, and it took a long time and there was a lot of blood. So then they decided they needed an ultrasound to get it.

Dr. Kane and Dr. Petrosyan came by to visit about the procedure. It was great seeing them in person again. I am so thankful for their work. Belinda talked about her college plans and Dr. Petrosyan told her she could accomplish anything. He came from Armenia in 1991 when he was 16 years old and didn’t know a word of English. And now he’s a surgeon.

After they left, a lady I have talked with through the facebook group came over with her daughter, who also has achalasia and is having an endoscopy today. They are from California. It was great getting to visit with them and Belinda and the other girl exchanged phone numbers. It is good for both of them to know someone who truly understands. While they were there, the ultrasound team came in and worked on Belinda and finally got the IV in.

The other family got called back to prep for surgery, and it was time for Belinda’s procedure. That team was nice and asked Belinda what music she wanted playing. She jokingly said Ariana Grande and that’s what they played as she was being wheeled out.

They have a screen on the wall in the waiting room so parents can follow for updates. Belinda was number 15603. I opened my phone and saw that Belinda’s ACT test results were ready, so I pulled out the laptop to check that and to update people on facebook and by text.

Here’s the results that Dr. Kane showed me after.

**Well, now she’s gotten herself discharged! She’s changing while I’m desperately trying to finish this. Quick once it started!

When I got back here she was awake and talking to the nurse. She had a small bottle of water, a cup of apple juice, and an orange popsicle. We hung out and talked and she looked at her phone and I typed. Now she’s sitting up and she said she’s lightheaded. She said she shook her head to get the hair out of her eyes and almost fell over.

No food restrictions now. We have found a Cheesecake Factory close to the hotel, and that’s what she wants. She says she needs a piece of s’mores cheesecake immediately. So I guess that’s our next plan. Get back to the hotel and either dump stuff off or rest and then do it. I’d rather go to the hotel restaurant but she’s apparently too good for that.

Anyway, she just opened the curtain cause she’s ready to get out of here. But the nurse caught her because she’s supposed to leave in a wheelchair. So we’ll wait for that and then I guess I’ll call the uber and we will roll out!