We're Home

[Jennifer]

First off- Thanks for all your well wishes! You are all AWESOME!!!

Emily went in for surgery at 11:45 yesterday. (45 min's early). They gave her goofy juice before we went downstairs- I LOVE THAT STUFF. She was in the best mood and just smiling like a little drunk. It made it so much easier handing her off. My only request is that they give it to the mommies also to calm our nerves! :giggle At a little past 2 the NS and PS came into the waiting area saying she was done and did great. I was so excited I hugged them both- I think I threw the PS off a bit. They ended up having to do some molding around the top of the eye orbit and all the way around the outer corner (to make it match perfectly!). They also sanded? down a few bumps and filled in a few dips while they were in there. They explained that she was in recovery and would be asleep for a while but that a nurse would come to get one of us once she starting waking up. Less than 15 mins later a nurse came to get me. Apparently they gave her enough meds to keep her asleep for about an hour.....She decided otherwising and woke up screaming for me....no slow wake up for her! They dosed her up some more and she was pretty groggy, but never really slept. Up to the PICU we went.....it was so crowded- we actually had to share a room. The other baby had just had surgery before Emilys w/ our team. She was just about 4 months....so tiny! Both parents were deaf so we didn't get to talk alot but the sister thought that all her sutures were fused??? I'd never heard of that?......
Anyways- Emily was up all night. We slept for about 3 hours. She played and cuddled alot. Was not going to have anything to do w/ the crib. Around noon this morning we were transfered to the regular floor- again having to share a room. Emily really started swelling...... As she was eating and everything, we decided to come home as she was not thrilled being there and wanted to be walking around. All the wires were pissing her off! So now we are home. We went for a long walk as she was very ansy....Now she is asleep....I'll post pics soon!

[craniomommynbaby]

I am so glad to hear that all went well. You guys were in our thoughts, and now we can breathe easier and go to bed. :)

[Jennifer]

Addition to the story....as we were leaving we were advised swelling probably hasn't peaked- so I'm curious what tomorrow will hold. Also, when we got home, the girl was wired, running around everywhere. So we went for a long walk.......it seemed to tire her out! Here's some pics:


The night before surgery: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/NightBefore.jpg

Cute Hospital Jammies (I took a pair to have :giggle) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/Jammies.jpg

Goofy juiced up- showing me baby (who went to the operation with her!):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/Goofyjuiced.jpg
2 hours post-op: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/2hourspostop.jpg
This morning (about 16-18 hours post): http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/MorningAfter.jpg
24 hours post: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/24hourspost.jpg
Our afternoon walk: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/sjcrmc/Afternoonwalk.jpg

[Lauren]

Congrats!!! I'm am so happy it is behind you! What a little superstar! She looks great and I can't wait to see before and afters once the swelling goes down!

[KALEMSMOM]

Ahhh what a cutie. She looks pretty contempt. I too am glad you can put it all behind you. Thanks for sharing Jen. Try to get some rest as well. Glad you are home and everything is going so well.

[vancesmommy]

I'm glad she did so well!! she looks beautiful! give her big hugs from me and Vance!! i hope you all get the rest you need and Emily has a quick recovery!!

[ExpatJen]

She looks fabulous!!! It seems to have gone very well - such a relief.
I hope you get some sleep - it sounds as if Emily is full of energy.
All my best wishes,
Jennifer C.

[verdon2]

:hugg We are glad to hear she did so well. I'll tell you what, she looks good. A little swollen but the outcome is fantastic. What a cutie, and she still has all that beautiful blonde hair!!! Sending hugs to you all.....:adore

[plukids]

Hooray!! I am glad you are on the other side of this! ((HUGS)) to Emily from Sylvie for a speedy recovery! I can't wait to see the after photos once the swelling goes down. In her jammie picture I cannot help but notice how beautiful her hair is.

[Jennifer]

Thanks guys! She is so swollen today! Her one eye is just a slit, but she still thinks she can do everything. She's a bit cranky today, but that's no shocker.
Lisa- I do love her hair, but not sure if I'm gonna want to be cutting it off by the end of the week! We are not allowed to 'wash' it until next Monday- no moisture on the incision what so ever and then after that we can't 'submerge' it in water for 2 weeks. I usually put detangler (spray) in her hair every morning, but now don't want to do that for fear of getting it in the incision......I still haven't combed it- I'm afraid any pulling would hurt...Let's just say we got a big hat for easter!

[steff]

I am so glad to hear that Emily's surgery was a success and that she was home soon after. How is Sarah doing too? Kiss Emily for Sofia and me...she is such a brave little girl to have gone through this twice!

[snickers9246]

She's sooo cute!! I love the hair too!!! I can't believe that you can't wash her hair! We washed Holly's hair on day 2. They encourage it here. Wierd how the Drs are all different eh??

I'm so glad you guys are home!! Can't wait to see the movie star without the swelling! :adore

[Katie]

She looks like she is taking this like a true champ :adore In the stroller picture I can't even see the incision! I'm so glad you all are home and EMily is doing good :hugg

[dana337]

Way to go Emily! She looks great! What a brave little angel you have.

[Jennifer]

Thanks again guys! They actually didn't shave any hair- used the same exact line....As for not washing it- she wants it to dry and heal on it's own- she thinks they just heal and appear better that way....also- anything that touches it could potentially (rare? but could happen) cause infection or irritation.....

This late afternoon her left eye was open again and right before she went to bed, her right eye was starting to open! Woohoo!

Knock on wood- but last night she went down at 7 and didn't wake up til 6- then went down again for 2 hours. She took a 3 hour nap and then was back in bed tonight at 8.....hopefully she sleeps a full night again....

[Gwen]

I'm so glad that everything went well! I know that you are so relieved. I'm surprised that you guys got to go home so soon. Josh and Jacob both had to stay one week. Also for our May surgery we will also be staying one week. Maybe it has to do with age or the procedure. Glad you guys are back home.

[Jennifer]

I'm so glad that everything went well! I know that you are so relieved. I'm surprised that you guys got to go home so soon. Josh and Jacob both had to stay one week. Also for our May surgery we will also be staying one week. Maybe it has to do with age or the procedure. Glad you guys are back home.

Gwen- I think we got to go home early as there wasn't any actual cutting into the bone or removing of bone. We were scheduled to go home on Wednesday- but Emily was doing so well- eating, wanting to walk around, etc and she was not resting in the hospital beds that we all agreed she'd get more rest at home. With her original surgery where the forehead was removed and reshaped, she was scheduled to have surgery on Monday and go home on Friday, but she again did well and went home on Thursday....

[Rhonda O]

Jennifer, I am so relieved for you! It is so good to hear that Emily is doing well. I haven't been able to get on the computer since Sunday and was going crazy wanting to hear how she was doing. She is such a little trooper!

[KALEMSMOM]

Jen,

How is she feeling today?

[Jennifer]

She's doing great. Yesterday, both eyes were open. Quite the bruise on one though. This morning they are a bit more open. She hasn't taken any pain killers since Wednesday late night.......If you asked her- she never had a surgery- running around like nothing- scaring the crap out of me as she runs!

[plukids]

Wow Jennifer! I am so very happy that Emily is doing well! It is scary when they run around. I felt like my heart was running around outside of my chest. I was always on the edge. I cannot believe how hard it would be not to wash her hair. Will she let you comb it? I hope you do not have to cut it ...... unless, of course, you are wanting to. I just think her hair is so pretty. We are still waiting on Sylvie's. Her sides are so bald.....almost like she had a receding hairline. Hmmmm......

[Jennifer]

Yes, I combed it today. She keeps trying to spray detangler in it (as that's a normal morning ritual)- luckily she has figured out how to actually spray it.

No, I won't cut it---- I love her hair! It might just be a bit ratty for a bit. :giggle