Surgery Day

Leighton had her eye surgery 48 hours ago, and she is now, officially, the biggest trooper I know.

She has a stubborn blocked tear duct in her R eye, so it was probed, irrigated, and a tiny silicone loop was inserted into the upper and lower tear ducts and connected in her R nostril. It will stay there for 3 months (unless she accidentally pulls it our herself - eek!) and then will be removed - and wah-lah, no more weeping eye.

We had anticipated a crazy morning; as we had to leave for Phoenix Children's at 5:30AM for a 7AM arrival; and Leighton was not allowed to eat or drink anything until after surgery (surgery was at 8:30AM). Luckily, not one stitch of food or drink was visible in the entire surgery center: out of sight, out of mind! She only reached for her bag twice and was quickly distracted by all the other kids and toys.

Here she is pre-op:




After this area, we went to another room (forgot to take pictures with the nerves...). Leighton was weighed (19.5 pounds, clothed), vitals were taken, and we met the anesthesiologist. We didn't even have to change her out of her clothes and the IV was going to be started after she was under, so that was a relief! Dr. Cassidy, her ophthalmologist (yes, that's how you spell that), came by, said hi, and reassured us with the procedure and answered all our last minute questions. A nice nurse came and swept her quickly away from us...I couldn't look...she was screaming...I started crying...Jon hugged me tight. Dr. Cassidy was there with us still and said she would be asleep in 30 seconds from that moment; and then we went to the waiting area (with all the other nervous parents).


Literally, about 15-20 minutes later, then entire team came out and said what a brave girl she was and that it went "perfect"! 10 minutes after that, we were called back to recovery. Poor Leighton was crying little bloody tears with a swollen eye; confused and yearning for a familiar face. She reached for me and I hugged her tight...so drowsy, so confused. She fell asleep on me, right then and there. It was heaven for me! The nurse went over some post-op instructions and we were free to go.

Here she is in her car seat on the way home:


Anesthesia + Demerol = 1 sleepy girl


...her little IV site; wrapped up


Tired again...


She spent the rest of the morning/afternoon on the floor with Jon and I just snuggling, cuddling, and slowly venturing away; still a little clumsy. Eventually, she took a 4 hour nap and awoke completely normal - busy, busy, busy AND hungry!

Here she is 24 hours later: