We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am in order to be ready for a 7am surgery. I had everything packed the night before other than Ella's blankets which she slept with the night before. Matt and I got up and around and then we got Ella up. In her pajamas and off we went.
I was terrified but put on my best face. The last thing I wanted was for Ella to feel how scared I was and for it to make her scared. I knew most of my fears were irrational but really there are a lot of rational fears sending your little one in to surgery. We had so many people praying for our sweet girl, the surgeons and nurses, and for us. We could feel their prayers that morning.
Ella was a rockstar before surgery. The only time she cried was when I had to take her blanket and Tigey away so that she could be weighed...that was it for tears in the morning. The nurse came in and out to get Ella ready but we had lots of one on one time before she went back for surgery. This was such precious time. Ella was all smiles. Giving lots of hugs, kisses, and laughs. What a blessing that time together was. I think the smiles helped all of us relax and feel calmer about the situation.
Ella in her surgery PJs
Kisses for Baba
Smiles with Mama
The nurse came in and gave Ella Versed about 30 minutes before they came to get her for surgery. The medicine is used to calm her down and it has an amnesia effect so that the kiddos don't remember being taken away from their parents down the road. Ella was hilarious after the Versed. She was so giggly and not her normal giggle. It was a funny, pretend sounding laugh. She was also having a little hard time holding up her head. She'd roll her head around and laugh. I wish I had gotten video. She was cracking us up!!
When the nurses did come and get Ella, Matt and I gave one last hug and kiss and assured her that everything was going to be fine. We put her down on the cart and told her she was going to go for a ride. Ella smiled and waved as they headed behind those double doors. Then the tears came that I had been pushing back all morning. But all the laughs made me feel so much better; it seemed to be Ella's way of saying she was going to be just fine :)
The ENT surgeon came out to talk with us within 45 minutes after they took her back to let us know that the ear tubes had been placed without any issues. And also let us know that her cleft palate repair was starting.
The nurse did a great job of keeping us up to date, but the wait still seemed like forever. Finally at 9:30am, the surgeon came out to let us know that everything had gone smoothly and that they would be bringing her to us within the hour. Thank God!! Best news ever!
We moved to our inpatient room at this time and waited some more. It wasn't long though before we heard Ella's cry coming down the hallway. Matt and I both got up to met her. She just seemed so scared and unsure of what was going on...rightfully so. I snatched her up in my arms as quickly as I could and slowly she began to calm down.
Our sweet girl slept off and on for most of Friday. When she did wake up, she'd be crying. I'm certain due to pain, fear, and feeling uncomfortable. The nurses were fantastic at staying ahead of her pain. We also got the okay on Friday for Ella to only have to wear her arm braces at night. Otherwise, as long as we are close by she doesn't have to wear them during the day. What a huge answer to prayer!!
Snuggles with Baba
Resting in bed and drinking some apple juice already
Not happy in her arm braces
Ella had lots of family come see her while she was in the hospital. Matt's parents came for the whole weekend to help get Ava to school and to just keep her busy so that she didn't have to spend the entire weekend in the hospital. My mom also came up on Friday and left Saturday. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so much support. Have a mentioned lately how blessed we are by our families?? :)
Saturday morning, Ella already looked more bright eyed and more like herself but she still didn't have a lot of spunk. We asked her if she wanted to read a book, go play in the play room, or have a snack and each question was answered with a hand wave "no" and plenty of body language to let us know that she was tired of being messed with. Around 10am, the surgeon came in to cap off her IV fluids and remove the tube from her nose. She was mostly free of tubes so we took our opportunity and took her down to the play room. She wasn't super happy with us but did listen while Baba read a book. Soon Ella saw her big sister coming down the hall to see her and immediately her demeanor changed. From that point on we slowly started seeing our spunky, ornery girl coming back to us.
The rest of Saturday was filled with playing, taking rides in the wagon around the unit, taking naps, watching baseball and football, and snuggling with all her fans.
Puzzles with Grandpa
Ice cream with Nai Nai and Ava
Coloring with Lau Lau and Ava
Wagon rides
Big Sister= the Best Medicine
Sunday morning the surgeon was in around 8am and gave us the ok to head home. Both he and the nurses were blown away by how well she was recovering, how well she was drinking fluids, and her energy coming back. We quickly packed up our bags and then waited until Ella could receive her next pain medication dose at 9:30am and then we hit the road.
Let's go Home!
Chillin' in bed until we're all packed up
Since being home, Ella is really making progress. We are starting to taper her pain medication and switch her to Ibuprofen. She's eating better, although still not as much as I'd like. Ella has to be on a soft diet for the next month so I am trying all different things to make sure she is getting the nutrients she needs. We saw the surgeon on Tuesday morning to have the packing from her cleft palate repair removed. Hoping that makes Ella feel a lot better soon. I wish she could tell us how she was feeling. I can't imagine being used having a hole in the roof of my mouth and then all the sudden it's gone. I bet it feels so weird!
Ella has once again proven how amazing and resilient she is! I'm telling you, this girl is relentless and is going to do BIG things in this world. I love her so!!
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