Night before 2nd surgery

Four months old today!!

We were extremely fortunate to once again get a spot at the Ronald McDonald house across the street from Muriel's hospital.  We decided to come the night before, so there would be no scrambling on Monday to drive the hour from Naperville and somehow be on time.  I'm sure we will manage to be late even from across the street, but surely a different order of magnitude.

What is this strange place?

Checking in was ridiculously easy.  The manager, who remembered us and even our other two girls (who came to visit for the weekend during our first stay, when Muriel was born), simply handed us the keys.  In these days of mountainous bureaucracy experiencing something simple and efficient was  refreshing.  After emptying the car into our room and parking it we were able to sit down to a wonderful lasagna meal and relax.  We have been able to spend some quality time with our little girl tonight without the normal chaos in our house.  Important.

Muriel of course doesn't know what is going on, but seems nervous and anxious even so.  I'm sure it has to do with the strange room and a playpen instead of her normal cradle.  Not her normal routine.  She does normally sleep through the night - hooked up to the continuous feed pump - so hopefully once she konks out she will get the rest she needs to be ready for tomorrow.

Last bottle before bed

With that in mind, we spent some amount of time tonight planning her feed routine so she would be good and stuffed by 9:30AM, which is when she is supposed to stop eating.  She is to "fast" for four hours so her stomach is empty when they begin the anesthesia.

We are to arrive at 11:30AM for prep.  They will take blood and run several last minute tests to make sure there are no surprises.  Megan and two family friends donated blood, and they have to run last minute blood matches somehow related to the fact that she had anesthesia less than 30 days ago (catheter lab).  I don't quite understand that part, but hope to ask some questions tomorrow.

In all we are feeling confident - in our surgeon, the supporting staff, and the hospital.  Its hard not to be a bit anxious, but I am doing my best to think good thoughts and I know all of you are as well.

 I promise to post tomorrow while we sit (for seven hours?!) in the waiting area.  We will be getting regular updates, and so shall you.

Jeff, Megan, and Muriel