Day 5: Post Op

I can't  even begin to describe how amazing our daughter is! We have had quite the day.

When the doctors did rounds this morning, they discussed turning off her paralytic medication. Since she is having surgery tomorrow, turning it off can now, can help her recovery after surgery tomorrow. They also discussed removing her catheter, and letting her go without to reduce the chance of infection.

So, after getting the okay from Dr. Superina and his team, they gave the okay for both of these changes. First the catheter came out. Then, they turned off her paralytic, explaining that it would most likely take hours for the drug to wear off. Well, in true Macy fashion, it only took minutes. First she started twitching in her hands and feet, and then she started moving her arms.  Then she started to become a little agitated, and started to fight the breathing tube. So our nurse calmly talked to her like she has been doing for days (even though she hasn't been awake) and said "Macy, why don't you take a nap?" Shocking us a all, Macy shook her head NO. We all looked at each other in shock, and then asked her another question and she answered again with a head shake.

So for the last few hours, Macy has been communicating with us through head shakes, and arms movements. Finding out her needs has taken me and Jeremy a lot of questions and a lot of guessing. She is truly amazing! She has tried to talk around the breathing tube, tried to smile, and has even cried. It's hard to help her, but we are trying our best.

The attending doctor with us today came by to tell us goodbye, and Macy tried to wave goodbye to him. This sweet girl can barely open her eyes, is on pain medication/sedation, is breathing by a ventilator, has very weak arms and legs, yet is fighting through it all.  Nurses and doctors have been coming by to see her because they are all amazed by her as well.

I explained that she has her second surgery tomorrow, and that when it is over she can tell us all the things she wants to tell us.  She is so strong!

So we are keeping her on all of her pain meds, they are helping her to stay comfortable. Her hemoglobin is a little low so they are going to give her some blood. Surgery is tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Please continue for no pain and lots of comfort through the night, as well as a successful surgery tomorrow, and fast healing!