So proud of her! Isabelle's surgery

Today Isabelle had surgery to remove a growth that formed on her eyelid in the last 4 months.  It has been something that started out as a tiny red dot on her eye lid and turned into a growth that grew to the size of a pencil eraser. 

Not only was it the cause for being teased at school and other place (which broke my heart for her) but also had become a huge nuisance for her.  We went to the doctor almost 2 months ago and he decided to first try treating it with a steroid cream, which actually only made it grow larger.  We learned that is connected to a blood vessel so that it had the potential to bleed a lot of it was disturbed.  And recently we learned just how much it can bleed.

Just one of the many times recently it has broken open and blood streams down her face. (sorry a bit graphic)

 Last week it started bleeding and it took a long time to get it to stop.  I called the doctor back up and asked to be seen.  Upon looking at it he decided the surgery he had scheduled for early June needed to be moved up.

Today was the day!  Madelyn, Isabelle and I arrived at the hospital and got check in.  Soon there after Dad and Nana and Papa came as well.  Isabelle was ecstatic to see the thoughtful gifts Nana and Papa brought her.  She was so excited with the gifts she didn't even think twice about what was ahead.  They had brought her a special sleeping bag for her babies (handmade with love from Nana), a Paw Patrol toy, a special Hatchmals set and a yummy cookie.  She's probably ready to sign up for surgery everyday with the gift she received! :-)

Mom I'm SO ready to get this thing off my eye!

To give her a heads up, Isabelle and I had many conversations about what was going to happen before we got to today.  We presented it not as something scary but just as something that would help her get it removed.  She'd go to the doctors, they'd give her medicine to take a nap, and when she woke up, it would be gone. 

She waited patiently in the pre-op room, even though she was starving and hadn't had anything to drink for more than 12 hours. 

We gave Isabelle an LOL ball (thing)- not even sure what it is and she was so excited.  While we had to wait an extra long time to have an OR open up so we let her open up her toy to keep her distracted.  She was so excited, she immediately started to play and forgot about what was going on around her.

So much so that when the anesthesiologist came out and Isabelle was gone playing in the restroom to fill up the bottle she got.  The doctor said, "Where's my patient?" with a smile on his face.  

He then told her a joke about bears...

What do you call a bear with no teeth? 

A GUMMY bear of course!!!

We thought it was funny!

  She had the surgery at Phoenix Children's Hospital and they were wonderful, except for the part their OR was delayed so her surgery was pushed back later than it was supposed to be.  Not that big of deal, except Isabelle was really hungry and thirsty. 

After waiting around a long time, Dad had to return to work.  Isabelle hugged him goodbye and we waited a bit more.

Soon her surgeon appeared and marked her left eye with his initials so they would be sure to operate on the correct eye.

And then, it was finally time.  A kind nurse came to get her (man do I love nurses) and said, "It's time to come with me to the giraffe room.  Give mom a hug, she needs it more than you."  Isabelle did and then without a single moment of hesitation she walked off with Wendy.  

No matter how big she gets, I don't think I'll ever stop feeling like part of my heart, my baby is walking away from me.  She was brave.  I got my courage from her.

Back to the waiting room I went, where Papa and Madelyn were waiting.  Nana graciously went off to fetch  Michael for me from school as the surgery didn't start when it was supposed to and he was going to be at the bus stop waiting.  Thankful for both of them being there today to shower Isabelle with love and provide support to us.

They told us the procedure would take an hour so I went out to the waiting room and watched as the sign switched from pre-op to procedure in progress and then about 15 minutes later to post-op.

Her surgeon came out and explained that things went well.  The growth was sent off to pathology and we would get the results in a week.  He said she did great and was a trooper.  Relief.

We updated the family with text messages and then a few minutes later the door to the secret world of the OR opened and a nurse said, "The family of Isabelle..." 

I popped up and headed toward the door as Madelyn screamed she wanted to go back to.  Thankfully Papa distracted her right away.  I was super anxious to get back to the room where she was.  The nurse explained she was wonderful and the team loved her.  She climbed up on the bed without any fear, not a tear was shed and soon she was sleeping like a princess.  

And that's when we turned the corner and I saw her...

She really did look like a sleeping beauty.  

No more growth.  She looked back to the way I've always seen her.  Beautiful as ever.

The nurse thought she was about to wake up but after about 20 minutes of no movement, she decided to try to wake her up.  Isabelle was super groggy but woke up happy and hungry.

The nurse asked her is she wanted some apple juice.  To which Isabelle said, "Can I have a Popsicle?" The nurse joked, "Let's have juice first."    

She downed the juice and went right for the crackers and gold fish.

All the while Isabelle ate her snacks she watched as the nurse removed the IV from her ankle.  Thankfully she didn't realize that it was put in with a needle otherwise she would have freaked out.  

It's funny how when you don't know, it isn't scary.  The nurse pulled out the catheter and she didn't flinch.  

After the IV was out we got her changed and the nurse said, "She's okay to leave now."

She instructed me to go get the car and she would wheel Isabelle to the car." 

Papa, Madelyn and I walked to the car and pulled up.  The nurse was outside waiting and we helped Isabelle into the car.  

Soon we were heading home!

Isabelle was super tired and ended up falling asleep in Madelyn's bed and I think she would have slept all afternoon and evening. 

So glad this procedure is behind us, behind her.  Now we just hope for positive test results.  

Love looking at her knowing this is all over!

Until next time,

Angie