Surgery

The day has arrived!

Surgery -- 

Of course it was snowing and yucky when we left this morning -- that just always happens!  I'm so thankful for a husband who is a fearless calm driver.  

We actually arrived a little late due to the weather.

Elizabeth was cold and a tad hungry but was a sure trooper.

Of course, they did all the 'normal' routine in our room.  It was calm and easy.  All she cared about was watching a movie.

THEN .......

All the doctors and nurses who were going to be working on her started coming in --

and I have to say, "IT WAS OVERWHELMING!"

I know she was VERY overwhelmed!

They left and the anesthesiologist came in.  He was a tad loud and talked fast.  He finished talking -- and said, 'Let's go."  

'WHAT? Like to surgery?'

'Yes.'

'WOW!'

Well, our pastor quickly asked to pray FIRST.  

When he finished and we opened our eyes our dear Elizabeth was in tears.

Oh, it just broke my heart.  Her tears kept rolling down her cheeks faster than she could wipe them away :(

This was the first time an anesthesiologist did not give her meds BEFORE taking her.  She was a bit scared.  It was not the way I like to leave her.  

It took about an hour to prep her. They let us know when they started the actual surgery.

After 3 hours and no word, I finally went and asked :)

Originally, Dr. M said the hand surgery was going to be quicker than Dr. F working on the hip.

BUT

The hand/fingers was much more work than expected due to a few complications/flaws from her surgeries in China.

Hip surgery went as planned!

AND THANKFULLY,

They were in the casting mode and would be out soon.

Sure enough in about 15 minutes the first doctor appeared -- 15 more minutes and the second doc appeared.

Elizabeth did well!!  

She got her wish -- 

A red GLITTER cast for the body and a green GLITTER cast for the hand/arm.

Unfortunately,

The green cast had to go 3 inches past her elbow.  WOW -- we were expecting something very short.

BUT -- since they had to do more work and it had to stay put with NO movement -- Well that equals a high cast.

THANKFULLY, only 2-3 weeks with the green cast.

Although, still 6 weeks with the red one.

It was about another 25 minutes before we were called back to the recovery area.

She is very slow when waking up.

AND

she again PROVED that :)

There was lots of pain :(

They finally got it under control -- and we were off to a permanent room.

The rest of the day she slept a lot.  When she woke-up she whined about the pain and her tummy.  We really tried to stay on top of the pain but could not get rid of the tummy issues.

On top of being uncomfortable she would/will not talk OR much open her eyes/make eye contact when ANYONE comes into the room.

My sweetie is so modest -- and she does not want ANYONE but me to take care of any private needs or see anything.

My sweetie does NOT like to talk to anyone.  Her trust level for the nurses is low.  She even gave Dr. F the cold shoulder.  WOW!!!

I do feel by LATE evening the pain was controllable.  She slept LOTS!

She still kept having a icky tummy.  She really needed to go potty but she just could not -- and she hates how she has to go -- but oh, well -- she has to get over that :(

Finally, around 1:30 am she woke me up and had to go!!!

AND 

after soooo many attempts this time -- she went.

RELIEF!!!

YET

Well, for me 

THAT WAS A LOT OF WORK!

She will not be able to help at all -- the cast is VERY awkward and heavy.

Pray for me, too :)

After we put on her FROZEN music she immediately fell back to sleep.

Today was definitely a day of challenges AND blessings!

  

BLESSINGS:

1.  The hip went EXACTLY as planned.  It was FIXED!

2.  GLITTER -- and LOTS of it :)

3.  The best doctors ever!  They LOVE our daughter and they love adoption/orphans.  Dr. M has a heart for orphans that has really touched me!

4.  Finally getting on top of the pain. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Stay on top of the pain.  My prayer has been that the GREAT PHYSICIAN would be merciful and take away all her pain! 

2.  Elizabeth needs to start eating/holding down liquids -- she ate NOTHING today and only drank 4 sips of water and 2 sips of a green slushie.

3.  She needs to be 'regular'

4.  She needs to use her words with me AND people who help.  I can read her most of the time and question her BUT it would help all of us if she would speak.  I know she is scared and uncomfortable.

Her 'sassy' little attitude did show at times today -- AND yes, I was thankful to see it :)

Yes, I did get a few of those BIG famous Elizabeth smiles later in the evening.

Yes, her daddy has been able to tease her a bit and she rolls her eyes and has something to say back!

BUT prayer #5 is that she would have her joyful -- roll with the punches attitude!  AND that no depression will set in!

Yep, we have a LONG road.  

We will be at the hospital until at least Friday.

Our other 4 children are all being taken care of AND loved on!  My mom is staying with them and taking over duties at home!  She is wonderful!

Some others have offered and are helping in other ways -- THANK-YOU!

My Darling and BaJabs are very concerned about Elizabeth and it is hard for them when she is down here at the hospital -- Thank-you Aunt Sara for praying with My Darling -- it really meant a lot to her.  She was very nervous for Elizabeth.

Thank-you all for your prayers -- PLEASE continue!

We TRUST that God has this!  HE will get us through this!  We will CHOOSE JOY though this time.  

BECAUSE 

God is GOOD ALL of the time!