Recovery
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Author Archives: Regina Garvie
She’s out of surgery!
I haven’t seen her yet but I got to talk with Dr. Kane and Dr. Petrosyan and they were very happy with the results of the POEM procedure! They showed me a before and after image of her lower esophagus. The numbers are in millimeters, so her esophagus was only 5.7 mm at the narrowest part! Dr. Kane said that her lower esophagus is now the width it should be.
I’m looking forward to getting to go back to recovery to see her!
It begins
She has gone back for surgery. I forgot I would have to lug her giant book bag around (she wants to be able to work on schoolwork once we get checked into her room today). So I’ve got her bag for that, plus our things we’ll need for overnight. I am the pack mule of the hospital!
We met with Dr. Kane and the anesthesiologists, along with the surgical nurse. Dr. Petrosyan is also on the surgical team but did not come by this morning beforehand.
It took three tries to get the IV started, and the lead anesthesiologist ended up being the one to do it. The secondary one tried on the back of each of her hands, but both failed. They didn’t have a buzzy to help with the pain but they did have numbing spray. Belinda was a champ and on the third one I had to stop holding her hand and sit down because I felt like I was going to pass out. I’ve experienced that when I have my own blood taken and they fail, so at least I knew what to do to handle it. The third one was in her arm and that succeeded. I am thankful the lead doctor looked at her hands and realized he wasn’t going to get anything there, and went for the spot that has worked for her before. I guess it is more difficult for them to get to during surgery, so that’s why they started with her hand.
She wasn’t worried at all, just excited and happy that she will be able to eat and drink again!
Surgery day!
We didn’t get much sleep last night! It’s 5:30 am now, eastern time, and we are in the waiting room at the surgical center at Children’s National. Belinda is reading a book and Bluey is on with a slight echo between the two TV sets. She’s checked in and we have our ID bracelets, and are waiting for our pager to buzz when it’s time for her to go back.
We had two good flights yesterday. I got a bit nauseated during the first landing, but the second was better. Belinda enjoyed looking out the window but also read during the flights. The second one ended up being delayed a short time, so we got into DC later than expected. We took a taxi (Belinda’s first) to the Ronald McDonald House. The taxi driver was wonderfully kind and waited for us to get inside (and it took a while) before he left.
The RMH turned out to take a bit because the manager hadn’t informed the lady on night duty that we were coming in late. So she couldn’t get our key fob to us. However, she found us in their computer system and so she was able to get us into our room, 205. We are supposed to get our key fob when we get back there. That shouldn’t be until tomorrow though, since we are in the hospital tonight.
We got in the room at about 11 pm, I think, and then Belinda took a shower and we packed our things for the hospital and went to bed. The room is small, with two twin beds, and incredibly clean. We are very happy there. They had some snacks and breakfast things set out this morning, and I didn’t take anything although I should have. I don’t like eating when Belinda cannot but my blood sugar won’t be happy for too long this morning. I may try to find the cafeteria or a vending machine here when the procedure has begun. I don’t know how long it will take.
My alarm went off this morning at 4:30 am and we got ready quickly and sent the request for the uber. The hospital provided uber services for us this morning. This was both Belinda’s and my first uber ride. It was really nice.
The hospital seemed almost empty when we got here but the surgical center waiting room is filling up soon. So many children having surgery today! It is very sobering and makes me very grateful that we haven’t had to do this before. Please pray for all these families.
ZERO days to go!
Her first flights and taxi ride
At the airport
Belinda and I are at air airport, at gate 16 at Will Rogers in OKC. We fly to Nashville first and then go on to DC.
She did really well at the dance competition today. I could tell she was running out of energy but she gave it her all! At one point, the entire studio prayed for her. That meant a lot.
I just got a notice that the flight in Nashville has been delayed. I’ll have to see how that will affect our arrival in DC.
ONE day to go!
Tomorrow we fly
Belinda was tired last night. She went to see Bennett and Mia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the theater and all she wanted to do after was go home. She didn’t get enough calories yesterday, but it’s hard when you can’t swallow well and high-calorie drinks aren’t available.
Today is the final day to pack and prepare. I have a list of things I want to get done, but at least it’s shorter now.
Some ladies from our church are kindly bringing dinner to the house while we are gone. I am very grateful because I think they would just get food out each night otherwise, and our finances are pretty tight with all that’s going on, so I want to avoid that if possible.
I’ve said before that I’ve been a bit anxious about the flight and trip, but yesterday when I was driving, bringing home more Ensure Clear, I felt a real calmness and peace from God about the whole thing. Regardless of what happens, God wins! Even writing it now gives me great peace and joy. I am thankful.
Thank you for all your prayers.
TWO days to go!
A few details worked out…
So Children’s National authorized us for a round trip uber ride for the surgery. They will pick up up at the Ronald McDonald House and take us to the hospital in time for us to get there at 5 am.
I made an uber account and so we will either do that to get to the Ronald McDonald House from the airport, or we’ll take a taxi. I’ve navigated the Metro system in DC once before, but that was when Belinda was a toddler and since it will be so late, I think we’ll be better off getting a private ride.
Ronald McDonald House staff said no problem with us getting there after 10 pm.
Everything is falling into place and it feels very reassuring.
She’s only had about 400 calories so far today and she’s not in love with the clear Ensure drink. She admitted it is better than the feeding tube drinks but she has to drink twice as much to get the same effect, and it’s so hard to get anything down. Got to keep after her so she has energy for her dance competition on Sunday.
Confirmation!
We are confirmed to stay at the Ronald McDonald House! Hooray!
Now I just need to get approved for the late check-in time and figure out how to get there from the airport and figure out how to get to the hospital by 5 am. 😀
Clear liquid diet and RMH update
Today Belinda starts the clear liquid diet. This continues until surgery on Monday morning. It’s 10 am and she’s still asleep, and I’m letting her rest as much as she can. We went to a movie last night and it was a show she was really looking forward to, so she’s tired from that. She did get a frozen lemonade cup at the movies and I’m glad she was able to enjoy it. She said it did get stuck a little because it was so cold, but she didn’t need to regurgitate.
I reread the email from the Ronald McDonald House this morning and realized I had never received anything to sign from them, and so I called. The lady I spoke to was so nice! She said they were sending the documents today, and I asked if she thought they would have a place for us. She said she can’t guarantee it still but can soon, but with it just being the two of us, she believed there would be space. That’s good.
I filled out all their documents and read more about the House. One concern is that we are supposed to check in by 9 pm and our flight gets in at 9:25 pm. I think they will accommodate that but I know I will probably feel very rushed to get there as soon as we can, so that will cause some stress. Then she has to be at the hospital at 5 am, which is before their shuttle starts for the day. I sent an email asking if someone could help us to know what to do to get there Monday morning. I downloaded the uber app but I’ve never actually used it. I also asked if walking would be feasible. Belinda should be able to walk a few blocks, but would it be safe at that time of day?
Every answer brings more questions! I sure am thankful that things are looking so positive though.
Also, the special Boost clear drink I bought on line was out of stock and I got a text while making this post that the order was cancelled. So I’ll have to adjust my plans for making sure she gets enough nutrition the next couple of days!
THREE days to go!