Annika did really, really well. Keeping her out of food this morning wasn’t nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be and once we got to the hospital she didn’t complain about being hungry even once.

We started out in a room where she got a fun ‘bracelet’. This picture cracks me up- I’m not sure what the deal was with the squinting.

Then we went to a room where she got fun pj’s and a bracelet for her bear (although it wasn’t on yet in this picture) and got checked out by a nurse practitioner to make sure she’s fit for surgery. Her rash came back by the way- although not as severe. The nurse practitioner deemed it ‘weird’.

Then we went to the pre-op waiting room where there were tons of toys and a fun mural (although that describes pretty much every room) and she played and colored and we met with a child life specialist who described/played through what was going to be done. Then a special treat showed up- a dog name Smartie who is a therapy dog.


Now anyone who’s known me for any length of time knows I’m not a fan of dogs. Some dogs I can tolerate (quiet ones) and some are cute (my neighbors who doesn’t bark or poop in my grass and who they dress up in costumes) but for the most part I’m not a dog person. But whomever thought bringing dogs to hospitals to visit sick kids was a good idea is a genius. The dog even had a name badge like all the other employees. Very nice. Annika LOVED her.
We then got a visit from the urologist and finally from the anesthesiologist, who took Annika on a wagon ride to the OR.

She went without a fuss and was very excited even. I didn’t cry (although I could have easily).

Steve and I started the long wait with some cafeteria food and then I tried to read unsuccessfully. (I’m actually reading a good book- Three Cups of Tea- but I just couldn’t concentrate. I probably read 10 pages the rest of the hour and a half wait.) Finally the dr. came in to talk to us and said everything went incredibly well. About 30 minutes later I went back to post-op and no sooner did I get there then they moved her to recovery and Steve was able to come in too.

She wouldn’t talk in post op at all and finally in recovery started to nod her head to answer questions a little. We couldn’t get her to drink anything or eat a popsicle so they gave her extra fluid in the IV and sent us home. We arrived at 12:00 and were walking out the door by 6:30. It seemed like we were there forever, but at the same time it didn’t feel that long.

We got home and she slept for the next couple hours- but then woke up about 10 and wanted a popsicle (specifically the one they gave her in recovery that she insisted on bringing home and had long since melted untouched). She downed that and then wanted ice cream, and then another ice cream. She’s also been super chatty and even helped me fold laundry. Currently she’s laying next to me in bed waiting for me to play a game with her on the computer.

Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes. Especially thanks to my sister Hannah and her ‘friend’ John for helping with the other girls while we were at the hospital all day.

Filed under: family events