Charlotte's Journey: Pre-op Day

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Pre-op Day

Pre-op day and we are on our way to the hospital. Charlotte keeps asking where we going and Brian keeps telling telling her we are going to the hospital. We get all checked in with admitting, then up to SDS to check in and we have a wonderful nurse named Christan. We meet Christan when we cam down in March. We instantly made a connection with her, so we were happy to see a familiar face. Pre-op is scheduled from 9 - 2 today, not to happy about that.

We start off with weight, blood pressure, temperature, you know the usual stuff. Then Charlotte gets a EEG, then we go to Echo. So far so good, then the nurse puts this cream and a band-aid on both arms and Charlotte hates band-aids. I know what's coming, hopefully it will only take one stick! Dr. Bradley comes in to talk to Brian and I about what he has decided to do and we are a little taken back. The procedure is something that hasn't been mentioned to us until this minute, it's kind of a blow?? I really don't know how else to describe it. We were under the impression that this was going to be a simple surgery. Anyway, A Bi-Directional Glen procedure, closure of the ASD with a fenestration, and remove the shunt that she has will be done. The surgery is scheduled to last 5- 6 hours. I just start praying immediately after talking and taking in all this information. Dr. Bradley seems to think the Glen is the best route because of the small right ventricle that Charlotte has, but she will still be able to use the ventricle. This is good news, so we agree that Dr, Bradley knows what is best and we sign the consent form. The Nurse gives us some instructions about a special bath that I have to give Charlotte 0_0, wow, it is crazy what you have to do to get ready for surgery. We meet with Anesthesia, Cardiology, and the blood draw and we are FINALLY finished! It is now 3:30 in the after noon and it is just crazy that it takes all day to get through what we just went through.

Off to the Ronald McDonald house to get checked in and meet up with Oma, Papa and Lily, then off to eat, play and have a good time. We have met some friends for supper that live down here and it is great to see them. Charlotte has found a new friend and she is so sweet to Jayden, she want leave him alone.

Finally off to the park to play out so we can get back to the room for a bath and to bed. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m., but I have to get Charlotte up for another special bath before we leave so looks like we have to get up about 3:30 - 4:00 a.m. Fun times at the park!!! I am happy that my parents are here and have brought Lily. The girls play well together and they are having a great time. I hate that we have to leave, but surgery looms and we have to get ready.

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Heart Poem

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that he is just going for a visit. He is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. He asks,"Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies,"Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart". "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."

THE CHOSEN MOTHERS BY ERMA BOMBECK

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothes of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrog, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps- "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally. she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted, She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see.... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. "She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."