Thursday, April 12, 2007

Back from IWK

We are back from IWK. All I have to say is that Mei Lin is an amazingly determined little girl. She had her surgery on Wednesday morning and I cried as I watched this tiny little girl walk down the long corridor looking up trustingly at the nurse while holding her hand...not looking back once.

She barely cried when she woke up in recovery...just for her mommy to hold her closer. Her tiny little mouth was swollen and bloody, but she was a trooper.

We left the recovery room at 3:30 in the afternoon and by supper time she was eating and drinking. I couldn't believe it! After having the surgery she just had...I couldn't do it! Later in the evening she was smiling and laughing and doing a little talking. By 8pm though she had enough and it started to get to her. Her little arms were in restraints so she couldn't bend them and get her fingers in her mouth. This was starting to get to her because she has a rash and was trying to itch and scratch...but couldn't reach. And she didn't like the taste of the meds at the hospital. Apparently they don't get the bubble gum flavoured kind that mommy gets.

After a few hours of trying to watch Mei Lin sleep with her retraints on her arms and seeing how uncomfortable she was, mommy decided to take off the restraints and just stay awake and watch to make sure she didn't stick her hand in her mouth and ruin her surgery.

Thursday morning started out very tired and lathargic. Her face was more swollen than the previous day and she couldn't open her mouth much. She wasn't drinking or eating anything and hadn't had a "pee" in 24 hours. The doc said we would wait 2 hours and if no pee...they would have to use the cathedar. So mommy and daddy tried everything to get her to pee, finally we tried the old hand in warm water trick and .5 hours before the cathedar was due...she had a pee! And she started feeling better, the IV came out and the doc sent us home!!

It is 9pm...34 hours after her palate was repaired and to look at her, you would never know she had anything done. She is playing, screaming, laughing...all her normal things. She is stronger than I will ever be!

Her little voice has a new clarity to it and Daniel and I are amazed o hear Mei Lin speak her words so much clearer already!

Here's to Mei Lin!


Mei Lin at her Pre Op appointment on Tuesday


Daddy's girl a little groggy in the recovery room, but starting to come around


Mei Lin's IV...she took this one herself, not a bad little photographer!


Mommy and her brave little munchkin!


Mei Lin after hearing the news that she was going home!

12 comments:

Red Sand said...

What a brave little girl. Glad to hear it went well.

J Brant said...

My heart was aching as I read your post, she is so brave! It always amazes me how resilient children are, we have so much to learn from them.
Way to go Mei Lin, you are amazing!

PackMule said...

Hi Natalie:

We are so pleased to know MeiLin came through the surgery with flying colors and is home again.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm so happy all went well. She sure is a brave girl.

We must get together soon. Take care

Lots of love,
Cousin Robin

Tao's Mommy said...

WOW....what a big, brave girl Mei Lin is.....glad to hear all went well and she is doing good!!!
Keep us posted
~~HUGS~~

Kennedy and Jaida's mom said...

So glad to hear everything went so well! Mei Lin is a very determined little girl like you say. Looking forward to seeing you guys soon.
xoxo

Deb said...

God bless her little heart, I am happy to hear that things went so well. She is an amazing little warrior. I can hardly wait to hear her little voice.

Anonymous said...

Hi...I was thinking of her and how she was doing. Glad to hear that she came through everything well!

Shaun and Holly said...

Glad to hear that you have your little one home again. I will pray for you (rest! peace!) and for her (healing fast)!
Love,
Holly (Lowenberger) Fillmore

Unknown said...

Hi...I am so happy to hear that Mei Lin is doing well. Chelsea had her palate surgery on April 9th and aside from some significant weight loss she is recovering quite well too. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Amy in Calgary

Norma said...

What a brave girl - so glad everything went well!

RoLo said...

Sending get well hugs for Mei Lin, she is a very brave little girl. Thinking of you and Daniel, it cant be easy seeing your little angel in hospital. The last photo is my favourite she looks so happy to be going home.