(forgive the blurry cell photos)
We are now a week post-op with Evelyn, and are ready to start reflecting back. Gratitude swells up first. Team Evie prayed in such force over her, and it was felt. Many prayers were answered, and we are incredibly grateful.
The week leading up to the surgery prepared us well. It was a week where God's love for us felt nothing short of lavish. Two friends offered to do laundry, one offered to pick up groceries, another offered to send a maid to clean our house, and another brought dinner. I said no to most of these things, but then a wise mentor kind of friend emailed me reminding me to allow others to walk this road with us. She told me that if God prompted people to help, that I shouldn't stand in the way. Honestly, I had started fighting some fear as we looked ahead at the next few months. Not knowing this, these friends were used to send us a clear message. God's love is lavish. He's IN the details, and won't stop providing.
Friday we arrived at the hospital with our little trooper, having followed the no food or drink orders. Our saint of a sister, Jen, babysat the rest of the littles.
Our mid-day surgery kept getting pushed back due to emergencies. No complaints from us though, as we got time to snuggle with the patient, we LOVED our nurse and quiet is a rare gift. Our surgeon's nurse was a gift, saying things that were such a comfort.
Soon enough, after a dose of loopy juice, a nurse came to get Evie. We experienced again the feeling of walking her to the doors we couldn't walk through with her, where control is released. We stood there for a minute, then turned to walk in the opposite direction, trying to figure out how to act normal.
Mark and I opted for a walk in the sunshine, while we waited on word. These moments are defining ones in our marriage, where we look at each other knowing that the other is the only other person who understands fully.
Eventually a call came that Evie was fine, but the doctor was still working. In that moment, we knew the surgery was taking longer than expected. A while later, she was moved to recovery. Our gift of a surgeon came in to tell us that the revision of her last surgery had become a complete new surgery. So, we were moved to wait in an overnight room. Again, another call came that she'd developed a fever and was thrashing around upset. Later, as I was out getting water, a nurse came to see if one of us could come to calm her down. The sweet news is that she calmed immediately when Mark entered, such a sign of how far her attachment has come. In the future, a nurse said that her chart would be marked with "stranger anxiety" so that we can always be in recovery. After her fever broke, Mark was rolled down the hallway on her bed, with Evelyn tucked safely in his arms, an image that won't be forgotten.
For the next two days, Mark and I alternated between staying with her and our littles at home.
One of the gifts of this stay was that we were placed in a big and quiet room. After twelve hours of sleep, despite regular vitals and meds changes, our girl awoke puffy, but smiling. We spent the AM eating Lay's potato chips and forking some Cheerios.
Finally, when cabin fever set in, our wonderful nurse brought us a wagon and we hit the hallways. As we trek along this medical journey, we are learning to take advantage of new things at the hospital. This time, we hit the library for DVDs, picture books and People magazines.
Navigating a wagon and an IV pole around the hallways without knocking things over or ripping the tubes out of my girl is always interesting. On this day, one of our angels appeared, a hospital volunteer, who has spent every Saturday for 17 years serving. She strolled us around the hallway helping, and then back up to our room. Later in the day, she appeared with a blanket for Evie, as I'd mentioned that we'd left hers at home. An hour later, she arrived with a baby doll. Yet again, she arrived inviting us to a party being thrown by volunteers. She walked us all the way, and then strolled us around through the party where Evie received a balloon, stickers, glow bands, food, treats, another doll and more. This time it was her who experienced the lavish treatment.
Our second angel appeared when Evie's IV stopped working. IV insertion has always been a several hour battle. Her veins are whispery and fragile. Thankfully, her chart has been marked for this, so now only an IV specialist is to attempt it. The woman who was called in was one of the kindest nurses that we'd ever encountered. She was wonderful to both Evelyn and I, and got the IV going on only two attempts. We also learned from her expertise that our girl was likely a preemie baby.
Finally on Sunday, we strolled out of the hospital. So many prayers had been answered, and our strength, wisdom, gratitude, and appreciation for home and health deepened.
The lavishness continued for us, as my mom arrived that same day for a week and half to help us with recovery!
Now, Evie is having spasms of pain and occasional fevers, but is incredibly tough. She still smiles, and more than anything, just wants to be one of the big kids.
Stitches will be removed Tuesday, and her next stop is Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
