Pre-op appointment

Thursday, December 5th was Bryce's pre-op appointment at Children's in DC.   Ray and I both gave blood first and then had his pre-op appointment with the neurosurgeon at 1:30.  Bryce was his happy little self in the blood bank, smiling and playing and just being cute as can be.  For some reason our paperwork wasn't complete to give our blood to Bryce so it took forever to get started.  But once everything was signed we were good to go.  While we were waiting we met a really nice couple who were giving blood for their daughter who is having open heart surgery on Tuesday.  She's only 9 weeks old. So heartbreaking to see what other people are going through.  I'm sure we will bump into them next week while both our kids are in surgery.

After donating we went upstairs to meet with Dr. Myseros.  He went over the procedure again, his part mostly, then mentioned Dr. Roger's part and we asked him a few questions.  We had to sign a very scary paper/waiver stating we understand all the risks in having the surgery etc.  That wasn't so fun.  The appointment was very quick.  He said a nurse would call us Friday, which they did with instructions for Tuesday's surgery.  

Afterwards we headed back downstairs for Bryce's blood to be taken.  Ray held him while the nurse drew his blood for what seemed like 10 straight minutes.  He was so strong though and stopped crying once I picked him up.  He's one tough cookie.  But I absolutely hate seeing our little guy in pain.  It was a long day but it also feels good to have it behind us and be one step closer to surgery day and getting Bryce taken care of.

So thankful for our family insider/surgical resident at Children's Hospital, Emily Koeck, for donating blood for Bryce on Friday this week as well.  

This past week has been very hard.  Harder than I could've ever imagined.  I've been extremely anxious about his surgery, nervous about Bryce getting sick before his surgery, and worried about all of the things I can't control.  Ray has been my rock and has helped me keep it together and stay positive.  I don't know how he does it but without him I wouldn't even be able to function.  He does so much and always knows what to say.  We are doing what is best for our son.  I keep saying it over and over in my head.  My Mom also arrived this week and has kept Kaylin entertained while we were at the hospital with Bryce.  She has fed us, kept me calm, let me cry, allowed me to sleep off my migraine, and most importantly just been here.

I also reached out to another cranio mom whose blog I read when I first found out about Bryce.  Her daughter had the same coronal craniosynostosis that Bryce has and her daughter had surgery this past May.  It was so great to talk with her and see pictures of her daughter right after surgery and now and also get advice from her since she's been there.  She has helped me more than she will ever know and I will be forever grateful for her willingness to share her story with me.  Her daughter is doing so great, and I know that will be Bryce too when he is all healed.  

She also encouraged me to get a care package from Cranio Care Bears, http://craniocarebears.org which I had just done a week prior.  The package came yesterday and is filled with absolute love.  Everything from things we need to keep us entertained in the hospital, to toiletries, to a hat and pj's for Bryce.  Such a wonderful gift.  That same day we also received a beautiful snuggly Vermont Teddy Bear and matching outfit from my wonderful girlfriends.  Can't talk much about them or I will start to cry, but they know how much I love and appreciate them for all their support through the past months.  So needless to say we are most definitely feeling the love.  We have received emails, texts, phone calls and so many well wishes.  It's so nice to know so many people are thinking about us and praying for our little Brycie.  We feel so blessed and I thank every single one of you.

So Tuesday is the day. We will be at the hospital at 5:30am, his surgery is at 7:30am and it should take around 6 hours.  I will update the blog as soon as I can.  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers xo