Tuesday-- Surgery Day

We had a good time last night over at the Chesterfield Mall  where Haley ate her favorite food: pepperoni pizza and did her favorite thing...ride the carousel (the dolphin this time) and so she enjoyed herself thoroughly.  This morning she had difficulty understanding why we weren't going to eat breakfast but by the time we got to the hospital it was the first time that we have seen her get pretty emotional as her memories of previous surgeries were coming back to her.  I think it was harder on us than before just seeing how scared and nervous she was.  

One good thing was the nurses wearing the blue puffy "hats" and it always makes her laugh to see them walking around with those on.  Soon she was smiling and laughing a little--but once the conversation focused on the surgery, she buried her face in Lynel's chest and cried a little.  We prayed with her in the room and also lifted up in prayer 2 other little children of families that we met this morning--one with a 7 month old baby boy getting his 2nd liver transplant and the other a 24 week preemie who's mother we met at the Ronald House. 

After receiving Darvaset (sp?) to relax her, Jeff carried Haley with the team to the surgery door where we kissed her and handed her off to the surgical nurse.  We went to the cafeteria to eat and are now in a private waiting area where we just received the call that Haley did well going off to sleep and Dr. Park began procedure about 1:05.  We should hear within an hour how she's doing and the surgery itself should take up to 3 hours.  

I wish I could say that this being her 9th surgery in her 6 1/2 years of life that it gets easier...but we think it gets harder now that she understands more.  But, as we meet other families and hear their stories, we feel VERY BLESSED and we know that Haley has been a special gift to us.  So far since being here, she has brightened people's faces and it only takes a moment that she makes a new friend with a smile and saying "hi!".  


We will keep you posted when we hear more...thank you sweet friends and family for lifting her up in prayer.