Surgery

We worked with Dr. Bose to try and schedule the "best" time for Allyson's surgery. Is there really ever a good time?  We had talked about May but per our request we pushed it back to June.  We wanted to wait until fire season had started so we could have double coverage on our insurance for the surgery.  That was such a good decision. Dr. Bose was comfortable with waiting until June so then we were waiting on the Hospital to tell us when they were ready for us.  Somewhere along the line we set June 24th as the surgery day.  

At one point the hospital called me at work (since they didn't get me a home) and wanted to re-schedule the surgery for May (less than a week from when they called me).  I told them if we had to we could but we would MUCH prefer our set date.  I was barely holding it together during the phone call (I tried not to think or talk about Allyson's surgery too much at work, so I wouldn't cry).  They poor guys I worked with made the mistake of asking if I was ok, I went from being on the edge to sobbing.  They didn't exactly know what to do, it was pretty funny to watch couple of boys who felt so uncomfortable and didn't know what to do with me.

Steve, Allyson and I went down to the hospital on the 22nd for the pre-op.  This was a very long day filled with paperwork and waiting between consults with Drs, surgeons and a tour of the cardiac unit.  We got our instructions of what to do the night before surgery.  I had to give Allyson a bath using special soap (nuetrogena, now I hate that soap) and when she had to stop eating.  It was an exhausting day, we got a lot of good information but we were beat as we drove home from Oakland.  The stress and exhaustion led us to take a wrong exit and had us heading onto the bay bridge in Bus lane.  Thanks to some quick illegal moves we were able to get out of the bus lane and turn around before we took a long detour through San Francisco.

The next day we spent a very quiet day at home trying to rest up and enjoy being with Allyson.  I did my best to block as much out of my mind as I could .  I remember laying on the hammock in our yard cuddling Allyson wishing that day would never end.

We left our house at 6am, my parents followed us down to the hospital.  While her surgery wasn't scheduled until 12:30 we had to check in and begin the extensive admittance process by 9am.

 We met up at the hospital with Bob, Linda and Brandon in the lobby.  It was so wonderful to have so much support.

Allyson in her cute hospital gown.  I wanted to keep it but by the time we were doing all the paperwork to leave the hospital I just wanted out and didn't bother asking.  Now I wish I had asked, just for a memory.

We spent a lot of time in this waiting room.  Allyson did amazingly well, she hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I think we had a harder time with the long wait than she did.  The surgery before Allyson's went longer than planned so they kept pushing her surgery time back.  That certainly didn't help my frayed nerves, I was happy I hadn't handed her over but I was also just wanting to get it over with.

Dr. Olaf Reinhartz was Allyson's surgeon.  We met him for the first time during our pre-op appointment.  He was such a nice man, our visit with him was very short.  To us Allyson's condition was a very big deal, but to everyone on the cardiac team it was very routine.  They perform VSD closures all the time, in fact I think there were 3 other VSD closures in the cardiac wing at the same time as Allyson.  

Dr. Reinhartz also gave the OK to use a submammary incision instead of a midline sternotomy.  (The scar would run horizontal across her chest, below the chest area instead of vertical along the sternum) Dr. Bose had discussed this option with us, and even shown us pictures of other patients with a submammary incision. If the surgeon gave the ok we could opt for the incision that would be less obvious later on.  We are so happy we were able to choose this option, it is a purely cosmetic option and is only used in less complex cases where it doesn't hinder the surgery in any way.

Our special blankets.
The one on the left if was atop her isolette while in the NICU at Queen of the Valley, the one on  right  we received while in Oakland Children's Hospital.

I can't remember the reason but only one of us was allowed in the room adjacent the OR, so I held Ally as the last preparations were being made.  As I was waiting one of the nurses came in and asked if we would like a stuffed animal or a blanket for Allyson.  I chose a the brightly colored blanket, since the teddy bear wasn't as cute. I was so glad for something to hold onto as I left the OR without my little girl.  That was a very hard walk to walk away from the OR and my little girl. Thankfully Steve was waiting for me just down the hall. I was so glad Allyson didn't cry when I handed her over to the nurses, at least not that I could hear.

I love these special blankets, they were a bright spot in the most stressful of times.  I appreciate those people who take the time to make and collect blankets to donate to hospitals.  They are so very appreciated.  Here is someone who organizes blanket drives for the hospital where her son had his many heart surgeries.

Steve and I made our way down to the cafeteria to wait during the 5 hour surgery (which ended up being shorter than planned).  It is a bright and cheerful place and we were lucky enough to have a large support group.  My parents, Steve's parents, Steve's brother Brandon, my brother Wes and Steve's Uncle Terry were all there to wait with us.  It meant so much to me that so many people took the time to be there with us.  It was a wonderful distraction.  There was a wonderful nurse who periodically came in and gave us updates on Allyson, she was wonderful.  

She  came and told us when they were wrapping up the surgery and let us know it had gone better than expected.  They had found another hole between her left and right atrium that they also repaired.  I probably wouldn't have become a problem but since they were in there they decided to fix it as well.. She also let us know when we could go up in time to see her wheeled from the O.R. to the PICU, since it would be quite some time before we were allowed into the PICU.  I remember seeing Allyson for a short minute, she looked peaceful even with all the tubes and wires.  I appreciated that quick glimpse.  Once they had Allyson all settled in the PICU we were finally able to see her.  Since she was still under the anesthesia and hooked to the respirator we didin't get to hold her.  Steve and I stayed quite late sitting with her, I didn't want to leave her.  Finally the nurse convinced us to go get some sleep since Allyson probably wouldn't really wake up until the morning.  Reluctantly we left.  My brother Wes had used some of his hotel points to get us a room in Emeryville, it was much appreciated!

The next morning we made it in to see her shortly after visiting hours started she had woken up but still spent most of her time sleeping.  I was so grateful to just sit and hold my baby girl, it felt so much better to have her in my arms.  Just being able to do that helped me feel a hundred times better.

Aunt Judy reading to Allyson

Later she was moved to the other side of the PICU as she progressed.  It was so nice when the anesthesia and pain meds wore off that her personality came back.  We had many visitors keeping us company.  Only 3 visitors per patient are allowed during visitor hours, at night only one person is allowed.  We were constantly rotating through.

Uncle Brandon and Ally.

One of my favorite pictures ever.  Her daddy loves her.

We had wonderful nurses who kept close watch on Allyson and kept us informed.  They were all so loving and attentive they made our experience so much better.  I can't say enough about the wonderful staff.  There was one night shift nurse who kept waking Allyson and I up to do random things that could wait but I blame my irritation on her annoying voice and my lack of sleep.  Allyson progressed right on schedule and while it seemed like and eternity we were only in the hospital for 5 days.

This was nearing the end of our hospital stay, she was back to her happy little self charming everyone that walked past her crib.  They told us that when we left the hospital she would only need Tylenol every now and then.  I was skeptical, but that is exactly what happened.  Babies are so resilient and heal so quickly.

I am so grateful for Allyson's surgery, while it was very hard at the moment now we don't have to worry about our little girl.  Her defect has been repaired and we only have to see Dr. Bose once a year for a check up.The surgery happened when she was not yet mobile (so much easier to keep her from pulling out wires and tubes) she didn't have to fear the surgery and she won't have any memories of the pain.