Pre-op and cath so far

Yesterday we had Allie's pre-op. It was shorter than we thought but definitely some tough moments. She has had enough appointments now to be sufficiently afraid so there were tons of tears, which of course felt harder knowing what was coming this week rather than it being an isolated appointment. The staff was very nice and the Child Life specialist was very helpful. Drawing blood was the worst but hopefully all her sticks from here on out are while she's under anesthesia.

Now we are at the cath lab at Duke and she has just gone back for a couple hours of diagnostic procedures in which they run a tube up to her heart and check out everything to plan for tomorrow. There is a chance they find that they need to open some blood vessels via balloon today but aren't expecting that. There is a chance their surgery plan for tomorrow could change as well. So I'm pretty nervous waiting to hear how it went and where we go from here.

Allie did not like no food or drink this morning and regarded everyone with lots of suspicion here but made it through everything except taking some yuck medicine without losing it. The medicine didn't seem to be working at first because she perked up and started playing more. Then she started staring st her little electronic toy with her face pressed to it. And looking at me and giggling. And swaying from side to side in my lap. She was clearly feeling good!  So good that she did not protest when I gave her over to the nurse.  Didn't even look back as they went into the lab area. Whew. This is not for the faint of heart...no pun intended. Trying to take it one moment at a time.

Will try to update as I hear.