The Surgery Went Extremely Well

"The surgery went extremely well."

Those were the wonderful words out of Dr Reilly's mouth when we finally saw him at 7pm last night. He said that Charlotta was very stable throughout the surgery and didn't lose a lot of blood. He was also very happy with how much he was able to correct her curvature. She had a 90 degree curve going into the operation (see x-rays), and he had initially hoped to straighten her to a 20 degree curve, but instead was able to get her back to 15 degree curve. We were very happy to hear that.

I think, though, the part that I was most relieved about was that her spinal cord was OK. This had been one of the risks of the surgery that I had been worrying about and dwelling on. During the operation, they actually have two technicians who monitor her spinal cord the whole time. How they do this is that they hook electrodes up to her scalp (like an EEG) to monitor her brain waves, and then throughout the operation they stimulate her feet and make sure that her brain registers the stimulation. In Charlotta's case, her brain waves are quite abnormal because of her tendency for seizures, so the techs had their work cut out for them, figuring out what was "normal" for Charlotta. Dr Reilly actually said that they would have been finished in the OR an hour earlier, but the technicians had to take some extra time during the surgery to test and adjust her EEG monitoring and look back on old EEG reports to compare them. In the end, all was good.

Last night, we were able to visit with Charlotta from about 7-10pm while she was in recovery in the ICU. They keep her there overnight to monitor her blood pressure, oxygen levels and all those other vital signs that can be compromised when you have an operation and are under anesthesia for 12 hours. She was pretty groggy and only opened her eyes a few times for us. She is also on morphine for the pain, and will be for the next few days, so hopefully she's not too uncomfortable.

If everything goes well and the Drs are happy with her recovery, we should be moved to a room on the upstairs ward later today (that is, if a room is available). Steve and I went home to sleep last night, but from today onward – when Charlotta’s in her room – I will be staying with her on those lovely pull-out chairs (should I make my chiropractor appointment already???)

Steve will be bringing Jack and Ashley down for a visit this afternoon, so that's sure to cheer up Charlotta.

Today's THE Day

Well, we made it to Children's this morning -- no calls over the weekend. We had to be here at 6:30 am on Monday morning. It's now 9am and Charlotta went into the operating room about an hour ago.

She was a lot more anxious about the surgery than I had expected. Over the weekend and even early this morning she was quite nonchalant and didn't mention it, although in our family we had been talking about it in general terms. All that changed after we got to the hospital this morning and Charlotta got changed into her blue hospital gown. That's when the anxious wailing began: "I want to go home. When can we go home? Mom will you take me home? Is it time to go home yet?" ... all accompanied by huge sobs. Nothing I could do or say would calm her down.

The anesthetist finally gave her an oral sedative... Which sort of worked. I was able to accompany her as she was wheeled into the operating room at just after 8am (I had to wear a scrub gown, hair cap and little booties over my shoes). Quite soon after we arrived in the OR, they started an IV in Charlotta's hand and then administered the medicine to make her go to sleep. It was only then that she finally settled down.

Now I'm sitting in the coffee shop and prepared for the long wait ahead. When I spoke with the surgeon this morning, he said he'd probably be finished around 8pm, but that I could check with the nurses station for an update after lunch.

Still on Track

It looks like we're still on track for Charlotta's surgery for Monday, May 30. I supposed I shouldn't count my chickens before we're actually at the hospital -- because any number of things could come up -- but I'm re-psyching myself up for Monday.

It's odd, actually, that I haven't thought much about the surgery since we got the postponement notice. I guess the smart part of my brain (wherever that may be!) realized that it wasn't productive to worry and fret about something that was out of my control. I'll save all my worrying for Sunday night.

In the meantime, we were able to have Charlotta's birthday at home, as well as sneak in a few amusement rides at the Cloverdale Rodeo this past weekend. We read in the pre-op information that after the surgery Charlotta would have to wait a year before being able to go on rides again (the jarring motion being not great for her back). Here's a pic of the kids on the Monster Truck Mania.

Best Laid Plans...

So for the last few weeks, we've been preparing for Charlotta's May 16 surgery date. I'd made plans for co-workers to take over my projects at work in order that I could take three weeks off while she's in the hospital and recovering at home. After those three weeks, I was going to go to Toronto for a conference at which I'm giving a presentation. Steve had made plans to shift his work schedule as well while Charlotta was in the hospital. We've lined up grandparents to take care of Jack & Ashley, and I had prepared Charlotta's school for her absence.

This past Wednesday we had an all-day appointment at Children's Hospital to meet with the surgeon, get x-rays and bloodwork done, meet the physiotherapist, etc. The meeting with the surgeon was both informative and scary at the same time. It turns out Charlotta's surgery will be approximately 12 hours long, and the surgeon will make an incision in her side (under her arm) to perform the first part of the surgery, and then will make the main incision down her back to perform the major part of the surgery which involves attaching the rods to her vertebrae and fusing her spine.

Everything was in place -- we were prepared physically and mentally. Then, on Friday afternoon (did I mention it was Friday, the 13th?), we got the phone call we were dreading: Charlotta's surgery had to be postponed due to an emergency. We were going to be rescheduled for two weeks later, on May 30. Sigh...

Time to re-arrange our plans. I feel especially bad about having to bow out of the conference in Toronto. I'm scheduled to give a presentation with a co-worker, and now she'll have to give the presentation on her own. I'm sure she'll understand, but I feel like I've let her down.

The one good thing about having the surgery bumped is that Charlotta will now be able to celebrate her birthday at home, on May 19. Happy 11th Birthday, Sweetie!

Surgery Update

Well, we were hoping for a surgery date for Charlotta's scoliosis in April, and we got one in May. Not too bad for the Canadian medical system. Her operation will take place on Monday, May 16. Less than two weeks away!

I have to admit that I'm more anxious than relieved. It will be major surgery, and I'm worried about how she will get through the operation, as well as the whole recovery process. I'm also worried about her rehabilitation process, what her mobility will be and what her physical limitations will be. In a nutshell, I'm just plain worried.

I have to believe that everything will turn out for the best, and in the long run Charlotta will be better off having had the surgery. We have a pre-op meeting with the Drs next week, and I'm hoping to have some questions answered then. I have also spoken with another Mom whose daughter went through the same surgery last fall, and got quite a bit of information from her as well.

Another really neat thing happened to me last week. I was walking down our street, when I stopped to say 'hi' to the pastor's wife who lives down the street. We chatted for a few minutes and she asked how the kids were doing, and I said 'fine.' And then she asked again how Charlotta in particular was doing (like she knew what was on my mind!). I told her about the surgery and that I was a little worried and then, right there in the middle of the street, she said a prayer for Charlotta that everything would go well. I was so touched! Everything is going to be OK.