Operation Day!

The first day is over. I know everyone has been through a day that seemed like it would never end...well that was Monday for us. Kristina went into the surgical unit at about 10 am. We had a chance to talk with Dr. Elias (the surgeon) and he was very optimistic. (If I had not seen his credentials I would say he was too young to operate on my daughter) I left her at 10:45 am as they rolled her into the operating room. Once they got her back there the Doctor called and let me know that he would be shaving her entire head; it would make it easier for his work. He did not want us to be surprised. I returned to the waiting room for a very long day. The six of us spent our time talking, sleeping, drinking coffee, playing "I spy", playing with computers, and attempting to put a puzzle together. I was very thankful to have them all here for Jess and I!

We finally received word at 4:30 pm that Kristina was in recovery and they were waiting for a bed in ICU. We moved up to the 6th floor ICU waiting area, anxiously awaiting to see her. At 6:00 pm Jess and I were able to go back. Kristina was drowsy from all the meds but gave us a great big reassuring smile. Jess and I needed to see that! Her head is all bandaged up with a few wires coming out for the monitoring hook up, but she looked good. She was talking some, however all the pain meds were making her want to doze off. She did tell us all she remembered was going into the operating room and saying how shiney it was . . . and then she was out. Everyone had a chance to visit with her before she went back to sleep and some had to leave for home.

On a later visit in the evening she did eat some fruit and was complaining about how severe the headache, but she realizes that will be part of the process.

Pastor Sandy and I were run out of the waiting room at 9 pm and had to go to the downstairs surgical waiting room for overnight. A long night with some sleep in a squeeky recliner ... but sleep just the same.

We went in to see her this morning at 5:30 am. Once again she woke and smiled when she saw us. In typical Kristina way, she was concerned about how we slept, my cold, and Sandy having to drive home in the ice storm that is expected. She did tell us that she had thrown up over night (nurses told her it was from the medication during surgery) ... and she just does not throw up! But overall, she was doing good and in good spirits. She said they woke her up to poke her every hour, and Kristina does not like to be woke up from sleep! She looked really good and was not as swollen as I had expected from what the nurses had told me.

The plan is to get her into a room this morning on the 6th floor in the epilepsy unit. We will then have a room number and phone number for people to contact her.

Prayers are being answered!! And by tomorrow we will once again be praying for seizures ....so they can be monitored. All is good! And our God is our strength!