We both woke up bright and early, ready for the day ahead of us. (Note of caution not to go any further if you don't want to see her cleft stitches.) We arrived at the center and didn't have to wait too long to be called back to pre-op. In the meantime, I drank two cups of coffee, and Ivy played games on my phone.
Excuse the strange look on my face. I look like some sort of feline ready to attack.
I was allowed to walk back with Ivy to the operating room. I helped her climb on the warm bed and held her hands while they readied her for the surgery. She was being very brave as I held the mask over her tiny tear-streaked face. In a matter of minutes she was asleep. I kissed her good-bye and got out of that strange get-up to wait for over 2 hours, playing Words With Friend, Candy Crush, and Flow. I drank 2 cups of tea and ate a candy bar that someone else bought for me because I had no single bills for the vending machine.
Dr. G. finally came out to tell me all went well. He moved her septum to the left a bit, removed some scar tissue, lined up her pinks, rounded out her left nostril (which is still smaller than her right one anyway), and fixed a tiny hole that made that lovely whistling noise I heard all night long. She was quite sad when I went back to see her. She has a whole lot of swelling. And, as with most cleft surgeries, a constant slow drip of blood continues from her nostrils. She had the same thing in 2010 when she had her bone graft. But, she has done remarkably well.
We drove home without any issues. Ivy ate some crackers and drank some soda.
We were both glad to be home. I think she is such a brave young lady. Next week we get the stitches out, and I can't wait for the swelling to go down so we can see the results much better. Thank you all so much for your prayers.
I came home to these goofy girls who had not even brushed their hair today. All they did was play. What a life.
