Avi's Surgery

I realized recently that I haven't posted about Avi's surgery... A rather significant event!

Thursday, September 2nd was not only Avi's surgery date but also Taylor's 1st day of Kindergarten. After some discussion, it was decided that I would take Avi to surgery and Daddy would take Taylor to school--with the understanding that several pictures must be taken (see next post).

Averi did very well with getting her blood pressure taken, etc. She looked so cute in her little hospital PJs! Unfortunately, since Daddy had the camera, the only pics I got are on my cell phone. :(

The hospital staff loved Averi, of course. She was so full of sunshine and energy. This blond little head could be seen bobbing all over the Day Surgery unit because she insisted on playing at every toy station we could find. We then had to content ourselves with wheelchair rides.

Finally, the porter arrived to take Averi to the surgical unit. She had seen other patients taken out on their beds and so, even though it wasn't necessary, Averi finally got to have her "ride" on the bed.

I got to hold Averi while the anesthesia was administered (Dr. Stuart Neil). She chose the "strawberry" scent which is administered as some drops within the mask. Avi and I held the mask to her face together, but eventually the smell of the anesthetic becomes stronger than the strawberry and she kind of fought the mask. Soon, she relaxed and her eyes closed. At this point, Avi was transferred to the surgical bed and I had to head towards the Day Surg waiting room--my home for the next 3 hours.

I watched many doctors enter in to inform parents of results so the wait seemed interminable to me. When Dr. Linda Cooper and her assistant, Dr. Wood, finally approached me, however, I was caught unawares. Averi was fine, Averi did well. They operated on 2 muscles in her left eye and 3 in her right. One of the muscles on her right eye, unfortunately, was anomalous and so they were unable to fix it. Apparently, this happens about 1 in 100 patients. What does this mean for Avi? Her right eye will still turn inward a bit. There was also quite a bit of intraoperative bleeding so swelling and bruising would likely be significant.

I was informed that it would probably be a half hour to 45 minutes until she revived but I was called in sooner due to her agitated state. I was told that it was quite normal for children of her age to be angry and confused when awakening since they don't really understand what's going on. She was quite vocal and spit out her codeine and ripped off the small towel they had taped around her IV hand so she couldn't pull it out. They suggested I sing to her and I knew that that would probably work since we sing to her every night. The singing helped a little. The saddest thing ever was Averi's bloody tears. :(

She continued to be vocal while transferring her back to the Day Surg unit from PACU (Recovery) but soon fell asleep after arrival. She slept in my arms for a good few hours. Dr. Cooper arrived and explained that she would awaken in much better spirits and promised to return soon. This proved to be true and I was amazed at how well Avi adapted to not being able to open her eyes. "Never underestimate the power of sleeping in mother's arms," is what Dr. Cooper said. ;)

I have to mention how amazing Averi's Pediatric Ophthalmologist is! She called every day over the long weekend to check on her patient, saw her immediately in the Vision Clinic when we had concerns about her swelling and called again yesterday to check on her. Shawn did take her in to the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Rockyview today, where Dr. Cooper told us she was on call, to ask about inflammation on the eye. She responded in her usual exuberant and dedicated and considerate way, examining Averi in the hallway whilst between destinations.

After waking up, she was hungry, of course! My hungry little Avi! She was only allowed jello, crackers, arrowroot cookies, apple juice, ice chips and popsicles. Unfortunately, since we used a popsicle to get her to open her mouth for the codeine in PACU, she refused them ever after.

On the way home from the hospital on surgery day, Avi wanted to listen to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" over and over again! She's so cute! As of this writing, she can now sing along with parts of it! ;)

Averi's first day postop was probably her toughest and, almost, our easiest! She couldn't open her eyes and so relied upon us completely for all her needs. It also kept her out of trouble! ;) I was completely amazed, again, at how easily a child adapted to temporary blindness!

 Sorry this one's blurry... This is post op surgery day...

All she wanted post op (in hospital and at home) was fishy crackers!

Her IV bandaid.

Avi making a pouty face! ;)

Avi and Mommy. You can see some of the postop swelling in her right eye.

I have to say that I will never forget how magnificent it was to hold Averi in her post op slumber for those hours in the hospital. I love my beautiful little sweetheart!