8-6-12

We arrived at the hospital around 9:40am this Monday morning for "the cure." As in the cure from cancer.

Jes was excited and ready to roll, ready to kick cancer goodbye. We got to visit with her in the pre-op room until it was time for surgery. She got some sleepy meds and was off around 11:45.

The wait began. This was our view for the next 8 or so hours. A very nice waiting room with a very nice cafe one floor down. We couldn't complain too much about the hospitality.

We got the first update around 2:30 that the thyroid was out. We got the second update at 5pm that they were working on the lymph nodes. We took turns going for dinner. Then we finally got a visit from the surgeon around 6:45 and he said the surgery went very well, and he even showed us pictures to prove it. The nerves were in good shape and we could go see her as soon as she was alert.

Around 7:30 Root and I went back to the recovery room to see Jes. She was NOT a happy camper. Her back was hurting A LOT. She was really uncomfortable and not able to express herself well because of all the pain. Root rubbed her back and I scratched her head, powerless to do anything. She got some Versed and Ativan and was a bit more comfortable when we left. We were only allowed to stay about 15 minutes. Only two of us were allowed in the room.

We asked for a private room so I could stay the night and we got one.
When Jes arrived we found out that the IV had infiltrated into her arm tissues and all the pain meds were just filling up her arm.

Poor baby. This happened to Squirt too when he had surgery back in 2007. It hurt so bad, but finally she had an IV in the other arm that worked, and the pain meds kicked in.
Jes really wanted a banana popsicle, but all they had was cherry. Unfortunately, it made her nauseous so we had to pitch it. I could see that one coming.

After a couple hours of settling in and saying good night to Root and Daddy, I made up the sofa bed and turned down the lights. Hopefully we will get some sleep.

Worries have consumed me for months.
This is a big relief.
Jes is a cancer survivor.
Tomorrow is Day 1.