Surgery Day for Norah

Today Norah had her inguinal and umbilical hernias repaired. We have learned that with hydrocephalus hernias may come as well. Norah has a VP shunt, the tubing that is connected to her shunt ends in her abdomen. The CSF that drains into her abdomen causes increased pressure making her more susceptible to a hernia.  Surgery is the only was to correct an inguinal hernia. It was important to get Norah's hernias repair sooner rather than later because we did not want her shunt tubing to get into the hernia, which is rare but can lead to bigger problems. While often an umbilical hernia in a toddler will go away on its' own, the increased pressure makes that unlikely for Norah, even though it is really small. As long as one was being fixed it was a good time to fix everything. Her surgeon was also going to look at the other side just to make sure there wasn't a defect or a small hernia already there. So this morning we left Grant at home with Jason's mom, who the kids call Mimi, and headed to the hospital with Norah and Mason. The hospital doesn't usually allow anyone under 18 into day surgery other than the patient, but they were great about letting Mason tag along. Norah knows that when we pull up to the hospital something for her is in store, she handles it in stride. Lately we've been there a lot, and she recognizes certain areas. Whenever we get close to the radiology department she starts to hyperventilate, and been those quick breaths she starts saying "I need stickers" over and over again. It makes me smile in the moment, she's trying to cope, but my heart breaks she should have to know hope to cope with such big things already. She shouldn't have to fear being held down for a test. Today was no different, I was amazed how Norah handled everything in stride, she and Mommy and Daddy are getting better at this going to the hospital thing, it has unfortunately become part of our life.

Playing in the waiting room once we arrived this morning.

Jason and I are mastering the art of keeping Norah preoccupied, protecting her from all the big scary things happening around her. Today is was making goofy faces, reading Princess Baby (over and over and over again) and playing angry birds on Daddy's phone before surgery.

Here's a video of Norah just before surgery and after the gave her versed to relax her and start the sedation process, she's pretty cute.

After surgery, as I walked into the recovery room Norah was very upset. She did not like waking up alone, she could not get up into my arms fast enough and I was elated to have her in them again. The was two attempts to set her down, one before walking from the recovery room back to day surgery, and one right before we were discharge, just getting near the bed and the thought of being set down would bring the tears and crying, so in our arms she stayed. Mason was also a trooper throughout the day, he had a sleepy day. He slept from the moment we arrived until Norah was in surgery. He woke up and nursed like a champ, had a near blow diaper then back to sleep until we were on our way home. Amazing.

Snuggles while we wait for our discharge instructions.

Tonight at home we kept things low key, brought home some take out for supper, and made a snuggle spot on the sofa. Grant was quick to notice the bandage on Norah's tummy and help bring Norah's attention to it as well, so we changed Norah into a onesie to keep it safely covered.

 

This was our happy little girl before bed....so happy she is!

I've never been so happy or ready to move after I have had surgery, she's something special!