Oh, Thank Heaven, Her Surgery's At Seven!

What this means is that we will have a 5 a.m. check-in time. For many reasons, including parking is prime at O' dark thirty, and she is the first patient of the day. Dr. Todd will be fresh and she will be recovering in her room before it's bedtime.

I don't read over past blog entries before I post, so please forgive me if I'm redundant here. We will check in at 5. They will take her vitals and explain again what they are doing. The nurse will ask us to explain what surgery she's having. This is done to verify that we consent to the surgery, and that they have the right patient. This nurse will be the person who notifies us of the progress in the OR or if Dr. Todd wants to communicate with us.

The anesthesia team will ask us when Olivia last ate or had anything to drink, and will explain what type of anesthesia they will use. She will more than likely have an epidural so they can continue to block the pain from the surgery until the IV is enough. Also she will have a breathing tube (I think), so she may wake up with a sore throat. They will give her IV fluids throughout the surgery.

Dr. Todd will come by and initial both of her legs to verify the procedure is to be done on both sides. He will reiterate that we will not see him again until Olivia is completely finished, and we can go see her. He does not leave the room if his patient is on the table, because he is responsible for what happens.

The Hospital Chaplain will probably come by and pray for Olivia before her surgery. He visits with all of the patients before they go in.

Oh, I almost forgot that we'll have to sign some more papers.

This is the last thing... This surgery is possibly going to be very hard on Olivia, maybe more than we realize, so PLEASE PRAY FOR HER!!! Anytime you think of her, please pray. Anytime you think of us, please pray. If you drive past a hospital, please pray. I think you get it! :)

My sister, Kelly, may update the blog tomorrow after the surgery. I will probably update after she goes into the OR.