Let's go back to the beginning...
After a few more giggles the nurses came to take her back. Toby and I were a nervous wreck but she didn't have a care in the world. The surgery lasted about 30 minutes and after it was over her doctor came in to talk to us. He said everything went great and talked with us about what we could expect. After a little more waiting on our end we were able to go back and see her in recovery.
Recovery was tough. She was very upset and crying out for her "MommmmmmY" as we walked in. The nurse assured us this was completely normal and everything went great. They gave her a little medicine and she was back to sleeping peacefully. This was the start of our tough times.
I rode in the back with her on the way home and she slept the whole way. I was a ball of nerves about how the rest of the day was going to go. Toby had to be at work that afternoon so Lei and I were on our own.
The first day she slept a lot. Getting her to take her pain medicine and drink was the tough part. The REAL tough part. There were tears, sobbing, shrieking, hiding, it was horrible! By the time I got her to take either we were BOTH a mess. I was not prepared for how stubborn she would be about drinking. The medicine I understood because she HATES taking medicine but she acted like anything she had to swallow was enemy #1.
Have you ever seen a more pitiful face :( Just when I thought the worst part was over (taking her meds) she started throwing up! It was awful. She obviously has a weak stomach for pain meds like her mama. I gave her some phenergan and she passed out.
She slept peacefully until it was time for our next fight.
I am not kidding when I say that every ounce of liquid that went into her body was a fight. I have gotten this look more times than I can count this past week. Whew. It has been so stressful forcing her to do something that I know hurt her but had to be done to help her. So many mixed emotions!
In between the dreaded "sips" she was happy and content. We have watched more Ninja Turtles than I thought possible and I've even buckled and let her watch Spongebob (if you know me you know I loathe this show and never let the girls watch it).
Amos loves the laziness and quietness of our household lately. There is nothing this chihuahua loves more than a good nap and cuddle. It was extra quiet because little sis was off to stay with Grammy and Poppy and Lei refused to speak. It was silent most of the time.
Day 2 started off with more throwing up. By this time I was a nervous wreck that she was going to get dehydrated. I can't tell you how many times I pinched her hand to make sure it "bounced back quickly" (thank you Dr. Goo.gle). We spoke with her doctor on the phone and asked him to call us in another nausea medicine that she could just put on her tongue & would dissolve.
That night she took a bath and washed her hair and seemed to perk up a bit. I have noticed she seems to feel better at night (not sure if this is the norm but I'll take whatever I can get).
Playing with her Barbie she got at the hospital. Loved seeing my baby up and playing. Not to mention smiling! There was still no talking!
Day 3 met us with a lot of ear pain. We got out her flax seed "boo boo bear" that heats up to put on her ears. She told me (by nodding) that it helped. He became a constant companion anytime her ear started to hurt.
Another dreaded "please take a sip of water" face. Shortly after this picture she started throwing up again and it was much worse than before. I had to resort back to the phenergan. Luckily it seemed to help dramatically with the nausea and she slept for most of the day.
When she woke up we did another bath and kept busy with our favorite sticker book until it was time for the next drink. She made this picture and we sent it to Grammy to show Gracen. She was really missing her baby sister. She wanted her to come home so bad even though she was feeling so icky.
Yep, it was that time again. Drink time. I resorted to my finest tactics...good ole fashioned bribery. A glass of gatorade would earn her a new baby doll from her Daddy.
It was a battle but she earned it! That sweet hydrated smile made my day :)
She has slept between Toby and I every night. Having her beside me is the only way I can sleep at all. I wake up all night checking on her and worrying about her. She is a great cuddle bug.
The bed does get a little crowded though haha. Three people and two spoiled furbabies. Luke has been so sweet to Leighton, confirming his status as "sweetest dog alive."
Day 4 started with another "take a drink" standoff. One that I eventually won :)
It was a happy day because Gracen was finally coming home YAY! Plus she found her stick on earrings Aunt Kylee brought her and decided to make a tattoo out of them :) She must have been channeling her Auntie Ky Ky and Auntie Sis :)
Getting Gracen back was the highlight of her week. They hugged each other and were so happy to be back together. They love each other so much! Sister BFFs for sure.
Having little sis back got Lei in a more playing mood. She even wanted to put on her Cinderella dress for a little while.
We were ALL happy to have this little ball of energy back. She lifted all of our spirits! The child has a love for drawing and coloring like I have never seen before. Maybe she is the lucky one to get her Nana's talent.
Gracen also thought she'd won the lottery when she saw all of the goodies and treats Lei had racked up while she was gone. Leighton was good about sharing too, she must have REALLY missed Gracen ;)
Another successful drink/medicine moment earned her another treat. Hungry Hippos! Fun family time and a flashback to my childhood :)
Day 5 started off good with her first glass of milk and a little building with Gracen's new blocks from Grammy.
She started to feel sick again but was able to take her medicine and get some rest with her best dog Luke. He was so loving to her when he knew she didn't feel good. He is a snuggledog for sure.
She continued to feel pretty bad the rest of the day but was drinking water and taking her meds (reluctantly). I think her little pout summed up her day. Day 5 was a sad one.
Day 6 started off rocky. She woke up with a lot of ear pain and was crying. She actually asked to take her medicine...GASP. We knew she must be hurting. About thirty minutes later she walked into the living room and chugged her water (without being asked to!). Toby and I were shocked. Feeling this might be a good day after all I decided to offer her something to eat. After rejecting nearly every soft food I could think of she decided to try and eat a small bowl of cottage cheese. She took a bite & grinned from ear to ear, "It's workkkkiiiing," she squeaked. She has not spoken much over the past week but when she does her little voice is higher pitched and a little squeaky. Much different than before the surgery but I've read it should return to normal.
Day 7 was a great day. SHe was eager to attend her preschool open house where we met her new teachers & friends. She was so happy to see so many of her friends from last year were in her class again. She loves her new teachers and gave them great big hugs before we left. Her highlight of the day was seeing her teacher from last year, Ms. Kathy. Oh how she loved her teachers last year. I m so excited for a new school year and Lei is too. Can't wait for Tuesday.
Since we were already out of the house (our first trip out in over a week) I decided to take her to The Disney Store and let her pick out a treat. She picked out a Dumbo. She's been watching the movie on Netflix. She was happy so I was too :) Little Sis picked out a Lightening McQueen race car (surprised? um no).
The rest of the day went pretty smooth and she even ate her favorite dinner that night...plain noodles with a little butter! We were so proud!
Another round of the icky medicine earned her another treat from her Daddy (desperate times are becoming a little expensive lol). Believe me, after everything she's been through the last week she has EARNED ever treat we've given her!
Our little Ninja! So happy she seems to be feeling better. She did wake up coughing and crying last night (maybe the scabs are starting to fall off??) but has been in a great mood this morning and even ate her favorite mini muffins for breakfast. I am hoping we have finally turned the corner for good!
We are so thankful for all the prayers for our Lei Lei. I can truly already see a difference in her sleep. She sleeps through the night with no snoring! Sometimes she is so quiet I have to put my hand on her chest to make sure she's breathing.
Love her little heart. She's been through a lot but I really think it will all be worth it in the long run.
**Lei had her tonsillectomy at the Kosair in St. Matthews. I can not explain enough how thankful we are for the wonderful care we received. The nurses, staff and our doctor were so caring and attentive and did everything in their power to ease her (and ours) little worried heart. This is our second experience with Kosair (Leighton had her PDA repaired at the Main Hospital) and it was just as wonderful as the first. I really can't express how blessed we feel to have access to such wonderful facilities for children in our area. It truly was a blessing through all of this.**
The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. --Psalm 28:7
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