Pre-admission day

We had to be at the hospital at 8:15 this morning and didn't leave until 5! We had been warned that it was a long day but it really really was. You had an echo, ECG, X-ray, blood test and the usual oxygen sats/blood pressure/heart rate tests.

We got to have a look around the hospital and orientate ourselves a bit with where things are. You were so patient and happy throughout the day, had two sleeps and didn't even flinch when they took blood - the angel cream was fabulous! We met with Dr Igor who will be doing your surgery and he was so reassuring, calm and lovely.  Dad and I feel very comfortable with him.  You had a look at the meerkats that are right next to the clinic and got outside for a couple of breaks too.

The pre admission nurse did tell us that you're only a 50% chance of surgery tomorrow*.  The ICU beds are for all types of admissions so it all it takes is a child to not leave ICU when expected or an unfortunate accident and the wheels of surgery fall off! It's hard to think you could be fasting over and over however we are so grateful that 1) children have access to ICU when they desperately need them and 2) you are healthy enough to wait.

(Having your ECG - you have to have two as they need to do both sides of your chest!)

The surgical fellow mentioned that they think you have a second vsd under the main one that they may also close during surgery. He mentioned they quite often find things when it comes to the pre admission checks but this is a very straight forward, easy 'addition' so we are fine with that.
We have been told that you would be away from us for around five hours, however most of that time will be the anaesthetist doing all of his getting ready for the surgeon and then preparing for you to move to ICU. We were shown a virtual tour of the ward, pre op and ICU along with photos of actual children from ICU with all their tubes and lines and what they're for. A lot of the lines look more scary than they are as they have to be taped so securely to prevent you pulling them out. The surgical waiting room we will be going to has 18 theatres from that single waiting room! The hospital is truly massive. We are so lucky to have access to such a new & forward health care system.

*You decided to finish the day with a few power vomits so you won't be going for surgery today even though you haven't thrown up since 7:30 last night. I think the huge day just got to you and you were overtired, poor bubby. Today we will try to get outside and have a quiet restful day to try again tomorrow hopefully.

(Playing with an empty sick bag in emergency at 10pm to make sure you didn't have gastro or anything nasty)