Emma and Her Surgery!

4 years and 2 months ago we were at Primary Children's with Emma. She was just 2 months old and was running a temperature of 102. We had to watch her go through so many tests and when they had to do the spinal tap is when I finally left the room. I couldn't watch them do any more to my baby. Through that stay at Primary's we found out that Emma has what is called Urinary Track Reflux. It was something we hoped she would out grow. Every year we had to go back and retest. These tests are not enjoyable for Emma or mommy! Every year hoping that would be the year they would tell us we were done, she had out grown it! This time we had the testing with an appointment with the Urologist right after. She looked at her test results and looked at us and then said, "You guys have given it a good go. I think you should do the surgery." We had 2 choices and a decision to make. So Jeron and I went home and talked and prayed alot about what to do. Not as much about IF we should do the surgery but about if to go LESS invasive or MORE invasive! Less invasive there is no incision. More invasive there is a small incision. In the end we decided less on her left side and more on her right.

She is 4 and not excited about doing surgery. Primary Children's does a pre-surgery class and it was a little hard to find the time to go with everything else we have going on. In the end we decided to make the time and I am SO GLAD we did! If you are ever given this option TAKE IT! When we first got there for the class she was obviously feeling some stress over the whole situation. By the time we left it was gone! There was nothing that was a surprise to her! She got to see every room she would spend time in. She got to smell all the different smells of the "sleepy medicine" she had to choose from. She got to put a mask on her face so she knew what it looked and felt like. She came home with a hat, gloves and a mask! She looked ready to be a surgeon herself! Most important she got to see the doors where we would say "see you later" and we decided exactly what we would say at the doors before hand.

Of course I forgot my camera. I so wish I had a picture of her walking away to show everyone! She took the doctors hand and started to walk away. She looked back over her shoulder and waved to us with a big smile on her face! She was so grown up and did so well.

Everything has gone better then could be expected! We were at the hospital almost exactly 6 hours. We were there for more then an 1 and 1/2 before she even went into surgery. We did almost have to cancel because she started coughing AFTER we were at the hospital. After talking with everyone we decided to go ahead with the surgery. I really didn't want to go through getting her ready for surgery all over again! She was supposed to be in surgery for 2 and 1/2 hours and then was in less then 2! After she came out of surgery we were only there another 2 to 2 and 1/2 more hours!

The best part of watching her wake up was asking her questions! She would answer with the appropriate answers but in a very annoyed tone! A tone that very clearly said, "Leave me alone I am tired!" By last night she was laying on her tummy! Oh to be a child and recover so quickly!

When we first found out she had this more then 4 years ago I really just wanted her to out grow it. The thought of surgery was just more then I could take at the time. After the last 4 years and all of the medications and bladder infections, accidents and fevers, after all the worry about kidney damage and having to do that test every year we had to at least try the surgery. We do have a 5% chance this won't work. That was a chance we were willing to take. I do have to say that after the blessing she received Wednesday night I am not worried! I am glad we did it now before she got any older and even more self conscious about what the surgery would include and where it was.

Thank you all for all of your concern, love and prayers! It has definitely been felt! We love you all!