Swollen But Beautiful

September 9th 2010

Well Thank God the first hurdle is over...Louise was called down at about 8.15am, she was all ready with her gown on, cannula in her foot, antiseptic up her nose and a dose of antibiotic administered. She wasn't too impressed at having to miss her morning feast but at least she didn't have to wait for too long. We went through the same procedure as for the first operation with the difference that instead of a sickly two week old baby we presented an inquisitive chubby little darlin' who was busy trying to grab all the tubes and entertain the anesthetic team with her chuckles. As expected the process of seeing her put to sleep and having to leave her was just as emotional as the last time. John and I went home for a snooze and to recharge a bit. The specialist nurse telephoned us halfway through the surgery to say things were going to plan and to be up again for 2.30 to meet the surgeon.

As we arrived in the hospital we actually met him in the corridor and he told us he was very pleased with how everything had gone. Louise wasn't in ICU yet so it'd be another while before we could see her. Relieved we went up to wait. After a while the specialist nurse came to bring us in and again reiterated that things had gone well but warned us that as explained before Louise was very swollen and puffy so not to be shocked. So it wasn't too shocking to see her..she is pretty swollen all right but if the docs aren't worried neither should we be, it'll subside over a few days but probably be worse tomorrow first. We sat with Louise while the nurse worked away with the machines and monitors. The plan is to try and get her off the breathing tube as quickly as possible so that the Glenn shunt can begin to work properly. This can't be done until she wakes up and begins to breathe by herself without the assistance of the ventilator. Louise dreamily opened her eyes a few times but isn't quite ready to wake up yet..they just have to go at her pace.

Well anyway, swollen or not, she's just so beautiful and we couldn't love her more. I'll update tomorrow.

Swollen But Beautiful xx