The past week has been filled with CT scans, appointments, hospital tours and a dreaded blood test. Unfortunately it was that last one that caused Riley to get a little freaked out. In the lead up to her Fontan surgery she didn't seem particularly fazed by anything; almost as if all of the things she had to do was just what normal people do. But once she was told that she would need to do a blood test; she was not a happy camper. Tears and screams followed. Though when the needle went in she didn't even notice...
The day before she would go in for the Fontan we were getting Riley dressed and she asked if it was operation day that day to which Jess and I replied "Operation day is tomorrow". The tears flowed again as she begged and pleaded with us that it wouldn't be operation day on Wednesday. Unfortunately that was not a request we could fulfil for her.
So you would think that when it came to surgery day her emotions would go to a whole other level! Funnily enough the morning of the surgery was really peaceful though; she was in a good mood. When we got to the hospital she just played for a while (one of the perks of a children's hospital is an abundance of toys and books) and then we took her in with the doctors. She was fine the whole way; I do think it started to dawn on her what was happening but she didn't seem particularly upset overall. We spent a happy morning waiting then she went to sleep peacefully for the anaesthetist.
As for Jess and I; we were also surprisingly calm through the whole thing. Although it is major surgery; this isn't our first rodeo. We have been through this a couple of times before that we found it all strangely familiar and knew what to expect. Add to that; we felt very confident about the surgery. She had the same surgeon she had for her other two who we think the world of; and the results of her CT scan came back with everything about Riley looking very routine for surgery. So for the team there was no big surprises they were expecting or anything extra that they would need to work on while they were in there.
Her surgeon told us that surgery would take between 5-7 hours and they were true to their word. At a
little over 5 hours we got the call to come in and see her. We entered the PICU and Riley had so many tubes and wires all over her as well as a fresh scar on her chest but the initial thing we noticed was how pink she was. If you have ever encountered Riley one of the things that you absolutely cannot miss are her purple cheeks or hands; one of the common signs that you are in the presence of a kid with a congenital heart defect. It was so strange but awesome to see her look like every other kid for once (just a little pale because of everything as you would expect). The Fontan surgery improves her oxygen saturation levels so that now she sits between 95-100% instead of the 80-85% she has had since she was born.
When she woke up all drowsy and sore, I kid you not, her first word was "book". Which confused us a little until it dawned on us that she wanted us to read her books. Out of all the things she would prioritise I never would have guessed that she would have wanted that but we were happy to oblige. She is in a bit of pain but on a lot of medicines that are helping ease that.
Currently she is in the intensive care and is expected to stay here for another day or two but if she improves enough they will move her into close observations which is one step away from being on the ward. The main thing they look at is her chest drains of which she has three. They leak fluid and once they are all finished leaking and she is stable then she should be good to go home. However that is not a simple process; we were told by her surgeon that in 50% of cases it usually takes about 2 weeks; 25% are out after 3 and the remaining 25% have complications and it takes longer.
So now we wait.
Thank you for all the love, support and prayers we have received from everyone over the past couple of days! It means a great deal to us and to Riley.
The day before she would go in for the Fontan we were getting Riley dressed and she asked if it was operation day that day to which Jess and I replied "Operation day is tomorrow". The tears flowed again as she begged and pleaded with us that it wouldn't be operation day on Wednesday. Unfortunately that was not a request we could fulfil for her.
As for Jess and I; we were also surprisingly calm through the whole thing. Although it is major surgery; this isn't our first rodeo. We have been through this a couple of times before that we found it all strangely familiar and knew what to expect. Add to that; we felt very confident about the surgery. She had the same surgeon she had for her other two who we think the world of; and the results of her CT scan came back with everything about Riley looking very routine for surgery. So for the team there was no big surprises they were expecting or anything extra that they would need to work on while they were in there.
Her surgeon told us that surgery would take between 5-7 hours and they were true to their word. At a
When she woke up all drowsy and sore, I kid you not, her first word was "book". Which confused us a little until it dawned on us that she wanted us to read her books. Out of all the things she would prioritise I never would have guessed that she would have wanted that but we were happy to oblige. She is in a bit of pain but on a lot of medicines that are helping ease that.
Currently she is in the intensive care and is expected to stay here for another day or two but if she improves enough they will move her into close observations which is one step away from being on the ward. The main thing they look at is her chest drains of which she has three. They leak fluid and once they are all finished leaking and she is stable then she should be good to go home. However that is not a simple process; we were told by her surgeon that in 50% of cases it usually takes about 2 weeks; 25% are out after 3 and the remaining 25% have complications and it takes longer.
So now we wait.
Thank you for all the love, support and prayers we have received from everyone over the past couple of days! It means a great deal to us and to Riley.
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