We're Done!

Rebekah did a great job during her procedure today! We went with her to the OR around 10:00 and had to just a few minutes for the OR to be available. The nurses and anesthetists wheeled Rebekah's crib into the OR, and Drew and I came back upstairs to her room to wait. We were probably in her room about 30 minutes and Dr. Abrams called to say he was all done!

The night before surgery.

Dr. Abrams was pleased with how well everything went. He did use the MINI One g-tube that had been ordered for Rebekah. It fit perfectly, but he was a little concerned about watching to make sure it doesn't get too tight as she grows. Dr. Saad (the surgeon we had seen in the office two weeks ago) did mention the same thing, but his plan was to order the next larger size as our "spare" and then we would have it on hand when we needed to change it. The MINI is a 16 FR (16 French, which is the diameter of the tube itself. The Mic-key was a 14 FR and was too small in her opening.) and it is 1.2 cm (The Mic-key was 1.5 cm.). As you can see, there was a big difference in size from the one Rebekah had been using to the new one. We hope that makes a big difference in how well it fits and works!

Less than thirty minutes before surgery. Rebekah was hungry and sucking on a pacifier - something she almost never does!

The anesthesiologist had no trouble inserting the tube for the ventilator, and Rebekah did so well that they removed the tube and vent before we ever saw her in recovery. When we came downstairs to meet her in recovery, she was sitting in a rocking share with a very sweet nurse's assistant. Rebekah was so comfortable and relaxed that we just let her stay there while we waited the required 30 minutes before we could bring her back up to the room.

In recovery, post-op

Rebekah was a little fussy when we got back to her room, mostly from having woken up during the ride back, I think. We were able to give her Tylenol and her noon meds and then she calmed down and drank about two and a half ounces of breast milk. She was awake for a little while and has been sleeping ever since. The plan for the afternoon is to let her sleep and eat when she wants and then to use the g-tube for her overnight feeds. If all goes well, we could be looking at leaving tomorrow!

Thank you everyone for keeping Rebekah in your thoughts and prayers today. The procedure could not possibly have gone better. We are praising God for guiding the doctors and anesthetists during the procedure and for the good outcome.

Nancy