Pre-Op Day Complete!

Yesterday we had Sarah's pre-op day.  This is the day where you get all the pre-surgery logistics taken care of such as:  sign consent forms, various tests and meet with doctors.  This was a whirlwind day but went like clock-work with very little waiting around, which often can be the killer.  I apologize for the verbose entry, but I was trying to recount everything that happened, and this is how it came out:

The day started with an hour and fifteen minute drive from our Spring Hill Suites in N. Andover to Boston Children's - basically bumper-to-bumper the whole way - but we expected that.  We arrive at the Cardiac Pre-Op clinic 10 mins early, however we inadvertently missed our first stop at Admitting - off to a great start.  So from here the following events took place at a very rapid pace:

• Pre-op Check-in:  Check in at pre-op, sign a few patient info forms;
• Vitals:  First step was height, weight, vitals, and quick EKG;
• Surgical Consents:  First meeting with surgical fellow (visiting from UK) who works with Dr. Emani.  This meeting was to basically go over the reason for the surgery, the benefits and risks.  He got into some detail about the process, but I used some awkward gestures and words to keep him more vague when he got into the scary stuff.  We discussed tubes and wires, all of which seemed to be Sarah's biggest concern, but we put some of those fears to rest.  In the end, Judi and I signed the consent forms...
• Anesthesia Consents:  Next... Anesthesiology fellow comes in to discuss meds.  She will get all sorts of good stuff, and she was good to make Sarah comfortable that she will drink some not-so-good pink medicine that will set her off to be quite loopy and carefree.  Then on to the inhale-able stuff that will put her out - pick a flavored mask - Sarah took peppermint.  Again we signed consents;
• Cardiologist Meeting:  Third meeting was her Cardiologist Dr. Lang.  He is quite a funny/goofy guy which is a compliment i believe - he has a way of make this all seem like not such a big deal.  And for them, it is not, and he exudes confidence and a sense of ease with our procedure for Sarah.  He has ties to the northeastern VT which gives us some common ground for banter.  He confirms our plan is on target and we hope for 10 good years out of the repair.  He also confirms, when he asks where we are staying (the House on Autumn), that it should suffice... Uh,.. what?  I say, yeah it was $30/night...  He confirms, you get what you pay for.  Good lord, can't wait to see this place!
• Chest X-Rays:  Down to radiology for chest x-rays - this goes quick with a very Boston nurse who keeps calling Sarah 'Lovey', while chomping her gum.  You know the type - all business.
• ECHO:  Now down to the ECHO lab to get an thorough heart ECHO - this one takes an hour.  High-tech 3D ECHO, and Sarah watch's 20 year old movie (staring a you Cuba Gooding Jr. in 'Snow Dog' - must see) on VHS.  Yes, Sarah, it is an old rectangular DVD, don't worry...
• Blood Work 1:  Next off to the dreaded blood lab!  This is scary part for Sarah.  She is supposed to get numbing patches on her arms to numb the needle poke.  In our rush around, pre-op nursed forgot these!!  Blood lab is like crazy-town, and they don't care much about comfort - just want their blood.  I convince Sarah we are here, lets just do it - then with lack off popping obvious veins, nurse sends us up to pre-op to get magic numbing patches...
• Nurse's Exam:  Back to pre-op, get patches.  These take 20 mins, so we do the nurses evaluation, like a physical.  She goes over Sarah's current health, confirms her little cough is not in the lungs, x-rays looked great, and she has a clean bill of health.  She give us our own surgical 'scrub' soap thing that we need to scrub her whole body with the night before, post shower.  Other direction, no eating after midnight, nothing in a.m., not even water... Don't get dirty, don't roll in mud, wear clean jammies...  Please arrive at 6 a.m. for admitting and surgery - good morning!!!
• Blood Work 2:  Round two at blood lab.  They whisk us back quickly and investigate both arms, Sarah sits on my lap.  Rip off the patches, tie up her left arm and poke - NO PAIN - she didn't feel it at all.  She is exstatic!!!  We conquered the blood draw, this she feels she can take whatever they throw at her now.
• Reasearch Consents:  Dr. Emani is not available yet, so Janice takes us off to see if we want to take part in a research study.  Good greif - really?!  We sit in a room and listen to her spiel   Note, this is a research institution, without live real research, they will not be able to improve their congenital heart defect knowledge.  We agree to participate, because we know Sarah's surgery will be successful due to others who have helped in the past.  This just involves them getting some blood from Mom and Dad, and Sarah (post-op), for use in genetic studies.  Ok, just tell me where to sign, I want to meet with the surgeon and be gone!
• Surgeon Meeting:  20 more minutes waiting in the pre-op waiting room... Promises he will be here soon.  We drink water as we are all dehydrated, chomp on some granola bars, have not eaten.  Then Dr. Emani walks in - my eyes light up - yes, he is real!  He is in a hurry, still in his scrubs, just coming off a 'case'.  He apologizes for the waiting around, and I'm like you are fixing hearts, no apologies necessary.  This is a guy I have been researching for months so sort of like meeting a rock-star.  This guy is amazing what he does, and he will work his magic on Sarah on Monday.  He takes time to discuss all the details and the plan B (2 replacement options) if plan A (repair) is not effective.  He says 90% that the repair will work, and we are hoping to be one of the 9 out of 10!  He has great bed-side manner, and talks to Sarah and highlights the positives, how he will work out a deal with her after surgery to make sure she has less chores.  And he demands she needs to be getting up and around and playing video games on day 2... He is funny, kind, incredibly talented and we are so fortunate to have him performing Sarah's surgery.
• Exit:  We check back in at pre-op, the place is empty, we are the only ones around, it is 3:05 pm, and we are done.  

We are famished...  We hit the Bertouchies across from the parking garage get some pizza and salad to-go and start battling our way through traffic to get home.  Sarah is famished, and she eats half the pizza and the whole salad and a roll.  She is happy to be going home, but is also a bit more at ease with what will take place on Monday.  Judi and I feel content with the procedure and what Sarah and we will have to endure.  Boston Children's is an amazing place and we look forward to getting Monday behind us and a week of healing and hopefully some fun during our stay in Boston!

Sarah and Mom as we escape from a long day!

If you want near-realtime updates on Monday, I will do my best to 'tweet' updates and you can read them on Twitter by following @pmcalenney - this will ease the number of phone calls!  Thank you all for your prayers, wishes, offers to help, and concerns.  We will be in touch Monday afternoon.

-Pete