Berlyn's Surgery

April 6th is a day that I wont soon forget. I had a full week to prepare and research all about the surgery that was about to be performed on my little girl. I know to some that may seem like enough time but to me it wasn't. It came so fast and it really didn't all hit me till that morning when I woke up. I kept questioning myself thinking am I doing the right thing? Should I have got another opinion? I'm sure this is all normal questions for people going through this stuff but to me this was anything but.

I know it may seem strange but I kept thinking what if this is my last morning with her? What if she has a bad reaction to the anesthesia and doesn't make it out of surgery?? Have I given her the best life so far? Have I taken enough pictures of her?? I know it wasn't considered a MAJOR surgery but it was to me.

I made my sister come over early and take a few pictures of us before we left.

I was so nervous on how I was going to be able to go a full 6 hours without feeding her anything. Right now she eats at least every 2-3 hours. Right before we left I gave her a good feeding and put her in her car seat and she immediately spit up all over. OH GREAT! Now she's really gonna be hungry!

We had a quite ride to the hospital. I think we both had alot on our mind. We went to get a bite to eat cause I knew that it would be a long day of waiting and not wanting to eat. Of course I could only eat a few bites of my food cause I was so nervous.

My Mom and Grandma met us at the hospital for support. I'm so glad theywere there with me. It really helped the time go by alot faster while we waited the long 4 1/2 hours.

They took us to our own room where they gave me the worlds smallest hospital gown for Berlyn. I never knew they made them so small. I really wish that there would be no need to make those things but sadly there is. :(

The whole morning Berlyn had such a peace about her. I put her in the Moby Wrap (which I might add is the best invention ever made! Thank you Krystyn for making me get this.) She slept in that thing the WHOLE time. I had to finally wake her up to put her IV in.

Sleeping away in the Moby

Getting ready for the IV. She didn't even cry for this. I was so nervous they wouldn't find a vein or that she would be screaming. She was such a trooper.

We got to spend about another hour and a half with her before they took us back. Daddy just stood by her the whole time loving on her.

Even for this whole time she was so calm and peaceful. She was more alert this day than she has ever been. She was looking up at the lights and wondering where she was.

They finally escorted us out of the room and had us walk with her to the operating room. We came around the corner to the room they were going to do the procedure in and I think that's when it all hit me. Looking into that room with all the nurses and doctors and big tv's and equipment. It seemed like something I saw on an episode of the Jetsons when I was little. I couldn't believe that this was really happening.

I think this picture says so much. I look at this and think how scared and terrified I was.

(I would never be able to be a nurse. That hat is so not attractive)

I think she had the same thoughts.

We got to go into the room and lay her on the warm table. All the girl nurses came over and were in love with her. All I remember is them telling me that she will go to sleep super fast and not to be scared that it is normal. Next thing I know she was asleep and we were asked to leave. I was so strong until this time. I started to cry. It felt so strange to leave my baby with people I have never met. Knowing that they would be working on her tiny heart.

We were told the surgery would be about 2 hours and they would come get us and we would be able to go see her in the recovery area. I think that 2 hours might have been the longest two hours of my life. I tried to do anything to keep my mind off what might be going on in that operating room.

As soon as it hit two hours we all were starting to get anxious. My Mom would get up and walk down the hall by the room and make sure she was still in there. My grandma stood by the door waiting for any sign or movement. She even sat at the closest seat to the door to make sure we didn't miss anything :)

Finally the doctor came in and let us know that the surgery was over and that she is doing fine. He told us that once they got into her heart they said that the valve was worse off than they originally thought, but that they were able to do what they needed to do without any leakage (which is really good). Finally we were asked to go down by the room and she would be out in a few minutes.

She was wisked out of the room pretty fast and onto the recovery area. Only one parent was allowed to go in with her. I went in and got to spend some moments with her while she was waking up. I don't think I will ever be able to forget those moments with her. She was so out of it and had the softest little cry. The sounds of that room still give me the chills when I think about it.

After about an hour in that room they moved us to the NICU upstairs and Johnny finally got to be with her too. This was all such a relief to me that this all was behind us for now and that our little girl was here and doing well.

That night I couldn't sleep at ALL. I sat and starred at that cold metal crib making sure that she was ok and breathing. She would move a certain way and the heart monitor would go off. I would jump out of the bed and rush over and make sure everything was ok.

I had alot of time to think since I was there alone. It hit me that although Berlyn had to have this procedure done she was still ok. We would be picking up and going home the next day. So many sick kids on the same floor wont be so lucky. They may never be able to see the outside of this hospital again. I kept thinking that how one night staying at this hospital seemed like such a long time and there are parents that have been here for weeks even months away from their other children at home.

God had answered all of my prayers and kept my little girl safe. I know for a fact that this day wouldn't have gone as smooth as it did without all the people out there that love her and were praying for our little girl. Many people were praying for her hadn't even met her or even seen her but were praying. It meant so much to know that.

And unlike so many people in this hospital we got to leave.
I got to watch my husband and my son come and pick us up. What a beautiful sight it was to see this.