Day 1: Surgery

 Seemed like a big deja-vu from the last time 6.5 years ago.  Everything was sort of the same (minus the masks).  Same meeting time, same place, same pre-op room, same parent waiting area, same complimentary drinks/snacks.  Just seemed like a routine, less emotional too - it was just need to get through this day.

It went smoothly.  She was in the OR from 715am to about 330pm, and the new valve went in without a hitch.  Judi got to chat with Dr. Emani briefly, but I missed him because I stepped away to get a snack.  The meeting was quick because there was not much to say really, it went very well.

They got Sarah moved up into the ICU around 3:45pm and we were able to see her at 4:15pm.  It is tough seeing them right out of surgery with all the stuff hooked up and her breathing tubes in.  They kept her under until 830pm, so that is the time to get out and get off campus for some dinner.  We hit up Tasty Burger near Fenway which hit the spot.

Back in the ICU at 730pm and just waiting until all her vitals indicate it is time for her to start breathing on her own and wake her up.  This got pushed a little later until about 9pm, and she slowly started to wake up.  At this point it is a fine balance of power struggle between the ventilator and her lungs.  Lungs slowly pick up the slack and the ventilator slows down.  After about 10 mins the nurses get the tube out, some coughing and struggle and then it is done.  She did great - might be due to her experience.

After that she was loopy due to some pain meds they had to give her as her incision was hurting.  She was basically acting like those kids in the videos who had their wisdom teeth out.  Then she started snap-chatting pics of her self in the ICU to her friends and saying weird stuff.  We had to take her phone away.  Note to self, do not let your drugged child (or adult child) use their phone when still loopy.

I am dead tired and am staying with her in the ICU, and almost no sleep last night.  I need to try to lay down while it is quiet in here.  More to come later.

Thanks all for the prayers and well wishes - it all worked!