Post Surgery

 Brooke came out of surgery doing great.  She had a little nausea but nothing like the first time around.  She was in pain and the nurse gave her some pain melds through the IV.  Only one parent was allowed into recovery at a time so Scott and I took turns.

 Once she drank and ate some food...we moved to another room where we got her dressed.  The nurse wanted her to empty her bladder before we were allowed to leave.  We were given 2 prescriptions:  one for an antibiotic and one for Tylenol with codeine.  Scott went to get the car and Brooke and I waited to get picked up at the entrance of the Women's Hospital.

In the car for the 4 hour drive home.  I was expecting Brooke to sleep but she stayed awake the entire trip.  We had a couple bathroom stops and at one gas station she wanted to eat Oreo Cakester.....she ate the whole thing.  She complained quite a bit about the bandage but that was the only complaint!

October 2, 2012 - Surgery Day

 

Surgery Day

We woke up this morning to a very excited little girl!  She is ready and can't wait to get the surgery completed today.  First, we had a shower with out "magic soap" to get rid of all the germs on our body.  Brooke washed up really well so she wouldn't get sick!



The doctor wanted us to pull her hair away from the surgery site.  I really don't know if this matters but we did as we were told.  I put a braid in her hair and pulled it towards the right since the implant will be placed on the left.

We arrived at UNC Women's Hospital at 9am.  We had to take a number and wait until we were called to register.  At registration, we got ID bracelets, one for Brooke and one for me.  They checked our hospital card, and verified our insurance.  They gave us directions to the children's surgery floor.

 Brooke wanted me to wait to take the picture so she could fix her hair

 

Once we checked in at the surgery floor, we went to the Operating Room Waiting Room until the nurse staff called us back to get ready. 

 

Once called back, Brooke changed into her hospital gown.  We talked with the nurse, the anaesthesiologist, the nurse again, a different nurse, the surgeon, the surgeon's resident, a medical student, the nurse again, and the anaesthesiologist resident.  We had to answer the same questions over and over and over again:  Yes, this is Brooke Miller.  Her birthday is 3/9/06, she does not have any allergies, the surgery is on the left,  we do know that she is getting a cochlear implant....



 

 

 

Dr. Buckman marked the left side ear.

 

 

The anaesthesiologist resident came and walked Brooke back to surgery.  She was happy and excited to go... she waved good-bye.  

 

Now, Scott and I head back to the Children's Surgery Waiting Room.  Once the surgery starts, it takes 3 hours.  The surgeon will come out when the surgery is over and give us an update.  Once she wakes up, the nurse will come to get one parent.   

Pre-Surgery

Brooke explains her cochlear implant surgery in this video clip:

 

 

Brooke's surgery is scheduled for 10:30 tomorrow morning.  After midnight, she can have nothing to eat.  She can drink clear liquids like apple juice or clear gatorade until 7am.  We have a special soap to wash with tonight before bed and again in the morning.

 

We will drive to Chapel Hill tonight and sleep in a hotel.  We need to arrive at 9am in the morning for check in.