First Round of Expanders Are In

Sorry it has taken me so long to post an update on Sophie. I really thought I would have time to post while we were in Chicago the first time, but I was so wrong!  Things were a bit more hectic than I anticipated, but that's okay.  All was good in the end, and that is what is most important. 

We made it to Chicago without any issues this time.  The weather was beautiful, and our flight was right on time.  There is something to be said about flying from Pensacola on a Saturday.  There was hardly anyone in security, which made this trip a breeze! 

Monday rolled around all too quickly.  Thankfully Sophie was Dr. Bauer's third case that day, so we didn't have to be at the hospital until 7:45.  We got Sophie changed into her cute little hospital gown and answered all of the questions you have to answer prior to having surgery. 

While waiting on the "happy juice" to be delivered, Sophie and I colored, which is one of her favorite things to do these days.  She knows her colors, for the most part, and we take advantage of all of the opportunities to ask what color everything is. 

Sophie's surgery began at 9:15 and lasted around 1 1/2 hours.  Everything went as expected, and she did great.  She came out of surgery with 3 incisions, 2-750 cc expanders, 2 drains, and a pair of "no-no's".  She did so well in recovery that we were moved to a room within an hour.   

For those of you who are wondering what "no-no's" are, they are the things on Sophie's arms in the photo below that prevent her from bending her arms at the elbows and pulling at drains or anything else she shouldn't be pulling on.  She was okay with them for a while, especially when Baba was blowing bubbles for her.

But she is very independent, and nothing would do but for her to blow the bubbles herself, with the "no-no's" on.  That was a difficult task, but she managed to blow a few bubbles anyway! 

After a few hours of being in a room, we were moved across the hall to a bigger one that had a regular hospital bed, a captain's bed, a recliner, and a rocking chair.  You can see here that Sophie was very comfy and relaxed in her big bed.  The room was a much more comfortable room and easier to maneuver around in.  We really felt like we were in a hotel.  The hospital room had a big screen tv and Netflix on-demand.  It also had room service, and the food was delicious.  I know you are all thinking that we were just starving to death, and anything would have tasted good to us.  I promise that was not the case.  We ate the food 3 different times, and it was very good every time. 

On Tuesday afternoon, we were discharged from the hospital.  Sophie slept really well that night, but was quite sore the next day.  Who wouldn't be, right?  We alternated Advil and Tylenol to keep her as comfortable as possible.  She was such a little trooper.  We were really dreading the flight home on Wednesday, but she did great.  She flew home in my lap and then rode in her carseat from Pensacola home.  We were very surprised, but all of the nurses had told us that each day would get better and it has. 

We are so thankful!