Bravest Patient

Friday was the big day. The surgery went well and Margot is getting better and better by the day. It will be a few weeks until things are really "normal", yet we are in the midst of redefining normal for her anyway. We're thankful that the toughest day is over and we can look forward to M making progress everyday. 

In retrospect, I feel a little like I've been holding my breath in anticipation of this day. Tucker and I both can breathe a little easier now that this is behind us.

We arrived at Children's at 7am, before all the hustle and bustle. It was a welcome departure from the chaos that we've found in past visits.

 Itty bitty Margot next to the giant Christmas tree. It was such a cute juxtaposition; I couldn't help myself:)

At the surgical care center, only parents were allowed to wait. It was hard not to look around and wonder why these other sweet kiddos were there, too.

 

After we checked in, we had to wait, and wait...

and wait. Finally, around 10:30am, the surgical team came and got Margot. Deliriously tired and hungry, she went easily into the arms of the assisting doctor whose goatee absolutely blew her mind. Tucker and I were chopped liver (and happy to be so) and relieved that the "hand off" had gone so smoothly.

During the surgery, we tracked her progress by following her status on the board below. When the surgery was complete, Dr. Oh came out into the waiting room and told us everything had gone well. 

Seeing her in Recovery as she slowly woke up and the anesthesia wore off was probably the hardest part. She and I sat in this chair together, with the blanket hiding all the wires connected to her, all afternoon.

We were placed in a large double room which we had all to ourselves. Margot slept briefly in her crib and the rest of the time she slept on Tucker or me. In the room was also a reclining chair and a couch that, when fully pulled out, was narrower than a twin bed. We got the distinct feeling that the hospital didn't want us getting too comfortable. Well played, Children's Hospital.

The Vecta was an important part of maintaining Margot and our sanity at the hospital. It's this amazing machine that has water flowing, bubbles, floating balls, lights, and a projector showing fish swimming through reefs. 

Margot was captivated by it and it helped her to not notice her pain for a little while. A very sweet nurse named Theresa had the Vecta brought to our room for us to use whenever we needed.  Kudos to whoever invented this machine.

 Our nurse was Hannah who grew up and went to college in Maine. It was fitting that Margot wore her lobster hoodie to go home.

 While the arm restraints don't quite make our list of favorite baby gadgets, they do make our little cherub look like a super hero. Super Margot!

 Tucker with Margot, giving her new/temporary bottle a try as she cheers herself on.

There were so many people who made/are making this situation easier on Margot and us. All those blankets we were given when M was born have turned into sources of comfort and soft, tactile distraction for Margot. All the emails, texts, and phone calls have lifted Tucker and my spirits, allowing us to take better care of Margot. The visits and deliveries have been happy diversions from a stressful circumstance.

Every thought and prayer has made a difference. Thank you everyone!