Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Zoey - Post-Op

Our Zoey girl did very well during surgery and all went as expected. She was very sad when she woke up--but didn't seem to have any kind of bad reaction to the anesthetic.

Jeff was able to see her in recovery for a few minutes before he had to leave to pick the kids up from school. She was happy to see her Daddy.

I thought she would doze most of the day but once the little stinker was awake, she stayed awake for the rest of the day. Finally at 8:30, I told her she had to go to sleep.

Unfortunately, she accidentally pulled out her epidural line that was in her back, as well as her leg drain. The epidural was giving her continuous medicine, which is best for kids her age. When the leg drain came off, I saw a puddle of blood on her bed and called the nurse. That led them to look at her back and they noticed that the epidural line was no longer attached. They got all alarmed and said they had to get it fixed ASAP and went to call anesthesiology. I was a tad alarmed at their reaction. About a half hour later, they came back and said that Plan B was a m*rphine drip that is not continuous and has a pump with a button to push as needed. So that is what she has now and the nurse said they would not push it unless Zoey seemed to be in pain. Urgh.... Mama-bear hackles went up a bit, envisioning them letting her pain get out of control and then trying to chase it. They assure me that they will not let that happen, so I will trust them.

Sort of.

But I plan on giving them the stink eye if Zoey gets uncomfortable.

Emotionally, it has been a bit hard for her. She doesn't know how to verbalize her loss. She just looked very, very sad after she woke up. She was relieved to see that only one leg was in a cast and that her other foot was still there.

Emotionally for Mommy, it has been okay overall but there were definitely some {swallow hard} moments. Like when I had to sign the permission for 'disposal of severed limb' paperwork. And when I saw her leg in the cast...and it was obvious her little foot was gone. I just keep telling myself that she is going to be so much better off once she gets her new leg.

And then, she got a visitor! Her little friend, Jonah, came with his mom, Kim, and it perked Zoey up so much. She asked Kim why her cast was all the way to the top of her leg if they only cut off her foot. Pretty good question!

Kim and Jonah brought a whole bunch of yummy snacks and a few presents for Zoey. Zoey is all about FOOD, so she has been munching all day. She also ordered herself three grape juice's. Her teeth are all blue and I shudder to think of all the sugar that is sitting on them because we forgot to brush tonight.

Waking up sad in recovery--but no tears.

Jonah gives me the eye as Kim shows Zoey the photo she took with her phone.

Can't see Jonah's signature here-but he was the first to sign her cast.

Eating and watching TV...she might not want to go home!

"Here, Mommy. Have some of my cookie."

Finally asleep and looking peaceful. Hopefully she will have a good night.