In the OR

We arrived here at 5:00, which turns out to be a great time to find parking at Walter Reed. I think that no one comes at that time because Dunkin Donuts doesn't open in the lobby until 6 or 6:30.

We spent about an hour on the admission floor (6th floor), and then went down the 4th floor for the pre-surgery visits with the chaplain, anesthesiologist, operating room nurse, surgeon's resident and the surgeon. They gave Olivia versed (pronounced ver-said, but probably not spelled like I spelled it). I believe that's an anti-anxiety and amnesia type medicine. They told us she won't remember the hour before her surgery.

They explained that they are going to use a pain block, similar to an epidural-type thing (not sure what it's called - cautil block, maybe) and it will numb her legs until the surgery is done.

They took her back to the OR at approx. 7:45, and called at 8:30 to say that things are underway. They had to put in the IV, and do the anesthesia between that time. I was surprised that they called to tell us that, because the doctor said they probably won't call too often, and he won't come out until Olivia has left the OR. I asked how long he thought it would be before we see him and he expected 2 1/2-3 hours.

I took some pictures of Olivia before she left, and will try to post them on here, but I am not sure that I can from here since I'm using a computer in the hospital. She was giggling from the Versed. I hope she can giggle after the surgery as well!

Dave & I didn't sleep well last night. Olivia didn't either, but hopefully she'll rest during the surgery. I'm sure she'll be comfortable.

More later...