30th Surgery Complete!

Wednesday was the 30th time Macy's has been under general anesthesia.  She, once again, faced it like a champion.

We had extremely high hopes that there would be no varices.  Especially when they came to get us 36 minutes after taking her from us, and said that the doctor was ready to talk to us in one of the conferencing rooms.  The surgery itself only took about 25 minutes or so.  Crazy!!!!!  As we sat waiting to see our doctor, our favorite family care nurse stopped by and said that Dr. Molleston told her to tell us that we were staying the night.  Bummer!  That's when we knew banding took place.  However, we are so excited to say that only 1 varix needed banded.  Dr. Molleston actually said that if we didn't have surgery planned in Chicago next month, and we were needing to do more scopes and possible bandings that she would've told us that she'd see us back in 6 months!  So we are very happy with how things looked, and that there is a very low risk of a rupture in our future.

When we met in the conference room, we had a very interesting conversation with Dr. Molleston.  It began by her telling us a story about a study that took place with children.  There were 3 different groups.  It involved children sticking their hand in an ice bath and measuring pain level. One group of children were distracted, one group overly-comforted by parents during the process, and one group left as the control group.  The findings were that the children in the group who were overly-comforted by their parents had the highest pain level.  She then said something to the effect......"you two have this child, who has been through so many surgeries, so much pain, so many terrifying experiences, yet she has maintained the most positive attitude and lives the most "normal" life she can.  She sees herself as a completely normal child, and has managed to overcome it all.  What is it that you two have done as parents to help make her that way?"  Knowing that I was a teacher, she asked if I had students complain often about stomach aches and illnesses.  Yes, especially with kinders.  So how is it these seemingly healthy children complain about the simple things like stomach aches, yet Macy lives life to the fullest and has been through more than most people in a lifetime?  It was the first time, we have had a doctor pose this question to us.  I wasn't quite sure how to answer it.  We went on to chat a little more about Macy, and our parenting.  It was very thought provoking, and very complimenting. 

Macy and I stayed the night.  We watched some Animal Planet and HGTV.  She is now addicted to Pinterest.  We spent some time watching how to draw videos on Youtube, and attempting to be artists.  Then we finished our evening with a chick flick movie night.  She is feeling much better this time than last time.  One banding vs. 4 bandings makes a big difference!  She was only allowed to eat liquids until this morning, so she ate about 5 cups of ice cream in the course of 24 hours, lol.  She progressed to a mechanical soft diet this morning, and is able to eat normal as she tolerates it.  Tonight she had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, and did great.  She's heading back to school tomorrow.  She's bound and determine to go back mainly so she can attend the Riley Dance Marathon after school tomorrow night.  It's obviously a cause close to her heart!

The next step is the big liver surgery in Chicago on March 18th!  We are excited and scared at all the same time.  However, we know it's necessary and time to finally do it.  You can read about it here if you are interested.

https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/portal-hypertension-program/


Thanks for continually following Macy journey, giving her and us encouraging words, and constantly sending prayers our way!