Surgery postponed June 11 4;15 pm
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The OR is scheduled for 4:30 this afternoon. It could be 8:30 or 9 o’clock until we see her again. This morning, it really didn’t bother me at all. But this afternoon—I would like to scream just a little.
The night nurse is so incredibly sweet, and I really do love her. But the mistake affects all of us. The OR and the multiple teams the different procedures require all had to be rebooked. And it also means that on the day she finally is hungry and wants to eat—we can’t allow her to eat. You can only imagine what that’s like with a three-year-old who doesn’t understand and who “needs food now!!!”
I asked Nurse Haleigh if there are consequences—feeling so compassionate toward the nurse, because mistakes happen—but also needing to know. (Which is minimal in the scope of things.) Haleigh said there’s enough of a consequence to make sure it will never happen again.
In the middle of it all, Crystal had gone to the laundry room and came back telling us there was a giant ice cream standing in the hallway!! Sure enough—a human dressed in a Dairy Queen Blizzard! We ran into the hall, and Avry was a bit freaked. And then we realized the ice cream was accompanied by a well-known country singer.
We hung around just a little longer, and he came and met us—talked to Avry. He opened up his phone and showed her that he was a daddy and loves to take his little boy and little girl fishing. He showed her pictures of his kids, and Avry warmed up right away. She told him her birthday and spelled her name for him. He was super impressed and told her she was his favorite that he’s met in the hospital today!
He offered her a guitar pick, which she turned down—I promised to give it to her big brother. Then he invited her to the concert at 11 AM down in the auditorium.
Avry called her daddy on the way down to the fishpond to tell him all about the cowboy singer she met!
Josh Abbott was so sweet and gentle with her and truly left an impression. Avry was so happy to be “free” and unhooked for an hour. We fed the fish and then came back inside. All the nurses and doctors came into the hall to see Avry—
Little star that she is! She was excited to head down to the concert to “see the cowboy!” On the way down, I asked her, “Do you even know what a concert is??”
When we walked in, Josh announced to the room full—“And here comes Avry and her mom!” So I took her up to the “stage” where he was and danced a little jig in a circle in her wheelchair, and she loved it. The crowd cheered!
We took our seats, and after a few songs, Josh said, “This song is for Avry—Mini and her Mama! I thought about it as soon as I met her. She’s the brightest little girl I’ve ever met. She knows her birthday and can spell her name!”
I must say—the song really did fit Avry. “She’s like Texas”
We stood at the end and did a little dance and dip. The crowd cheered and Avry’s eyes sparkled!!
After the concert, Avry sat and colored for a little bit in her wheelchair, but she was ready to go. We were so close to the bridge, so we headed to clinic to say hi to all of our favorite nurses over there. They were so happy to see her! They don’t often get to see Avry feeling this well—fully engaged and so happy. They were totally jealous she got to meet Josh!
We came back to the room and Crystal had just finished up the laundry and went to the café. She brought back delicious salmon!
This afternoon has been hard—entertaining Avry when she’s tired but also feeling so good and just wanting to play. And of course, all she wants is pizza and pretzels!!! It breaks my heart when she cries because she’s hungry. She hasn’t eaten in over 3 weeks.
We made cards, painted, colored, drew on the window with erasable marker, went for wheelchair rides, watched a movie… and we’re still waiting.
I asked Crystal to stay the night with me—I really want her here when Avry wakes up tonight afterwards. Glory is staying the night with Trace. Crystal leaves tomorrow afternoon, and Amy was at the house today getting it ready for us to come home.
Dr. Mitchell is staying late to do the bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. I couldn’t be more at peace about that.
Dr. Green just came in and said if everything goes well—we can go home tomorrow morning!!! I’m excited to go home, but I also know how much pain Avry is going to be in. And truthfully, I know it would be easier to stay in the hospital for the rest of the week—but we need a few days at home before major surgery on Monday.
If I’m being honest… I dread the “after” of Avry waking up tonight. 😰 So. Much. Pain.
This morning was so precious. God knew we needed that. In spite of the inconvenience, He gave us something special. A gift tucked into a hard day.
Please pray that all goes well today in preparation for the big surgery on Monday—that her pain can be controlled and we can keep her comfortable. That the separation between the OR doors is not traumatic. Strength for my mama heart.
And protection over Trace and Jake tonight.
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Christina Peters
Gail Barbour