Pre-Op/Drop Off

Before I say anything...I really cannot believe I'm writing on a blog (it was on my list of things I'd never do!). For the record, I do enjoy reading them. I should also point out that I've successfully refrained from three things I said I'd never have ...birkenstocks, sideburns and rollerblades.

Yesterday's Pre-Op time went about as well as could have been expected. It took about 5 hours. She did the many things that have become customary (ultrasound, ekg, chest x-ray etc.). We met with the anesthesiologist, surgeon, etc. As usual the blood draw was a challenge (even for the helicopter transport team). They actually ended up having the surgeon draw her blood from an area nurses are not permitted to use (groin). He was immediately successful. Fortunately, we got out of there about 5:30 and made our way to our room at the wonderful Ronald McDonald house. After settling in and having some food, we were able to take JG for a walk on what was a beautiful Spring evening through Winston's Ardmore neighborhood. It was actually a wonderfully relaxing time (the calm before the storm). After some time on the porch together, we put JG to bed (taking one last look at her scar-free chest) and didn't take long to join her!



We needed to wake up at 2:30 AM to quickly turn off her feeding pump before finally getting up around 5. Janie slept really well (her last night on her front-side for a while). At 6 AM she was giving us her new-found smiles as she awoke and her always-penetrating eyes looked at us like it was just another day. However, by 6:15 we were walking over to the hospital.

Once on the surgical floor, at 6:30, we were immediately brought back to a check-in area and JG was "inspected" to make sure she was still fit for surgery. That was an interesting experience...a dozen or so families lined in up in bays about the size of a hospital bed seperated by curtains all preparing to send their child into surgery for varying reasons. (I've never seen so many doctors in a 200 SF area.).

We handed Janie Grace off at about 7:30 (to an anethesiologist who is a White Sox fan from Chicago...God bless him). The hand-off was actually easier than we'd have expected as we wrapped her up and put her in the large arms of a very capable doctor. Of course, we also are assured of her being in the hands of the Great Physician.

It's more than surreal sitting here knowing what's is going on behind some walls on the same floor. I keep trying to picture what she experienced before they put her into lala land. Her eyes watch everything now. What did they see? I wonder. I cannot wait to touch her again.

It's also more than overwhelming to attempt to comprehend that hundreds of people are praying for us around the world today. All I can tell you is that we absolutely feel them and have peace from the Lord.

Finally, it's a blessing to have Jennifer's parents, Tracy (Jennifer's sister) & Zack and family-friend Ronda here in this large surgical waiting area.

As of 9:00, we learned that they were still working on all of her IVs and other tubes that need to be in place. We expect another update at 10:00.