The Big Day

Loopy Ellie after the first meds...before she was put to sleep.



Wondering where to begin, I will say, Praise the LORD. In everything give thanks for this is the will of Christ Jesus in you. Ellie is now resting peacefully but out of the deep sleep of anesthesia. Dr. Kim was able to accomplish his goals. I was blessed to be surrounded by my family today, and both of our pastors. The pastors left home at 1 a.m. and stayed until Ellie was fully awake.

This day has been very long, arriving at the hospital at 7:00, seeing Ellie off to OR at 8:00, the nurse coming to say surgery had actually begun at 9:20 and that 4 hour surgery would begin.

The nurse came out every 1 1/2 hours to say surgery was progressing as hoped. It took longer that we expected, though, about 5 hours rather than 4. The doctor came out and we went to see the xray, how he had "built" a hip using a bone graft creating a larger "umbrella" for the femur to fit under. Then, he cut and angled the femur to fit better into the socket.

Her cast was on the hip and only down one leg. He told us how important it would be for her to be still, lying, or sitting for the nexxt 6 weeks. I asked if she could crawl...he said no....I said she was a busy girl. He said we might better put some cast down the other leg. He asked what I thought. I didn't want to make that decision alone....I asked the preacher. He said, "You won't be able to keep that girl still." So the cast is down both legs, only part way down the left.

Dr. Kim said we would see her in about 15 minutes. 30 minutes passed. Then 45. Finally, they called the parents of Ellie. She was having difficutly coming out of anesthesia and breathing on her won. She was doing better, but it took nearly 3 hours for her to come out of the deep sleep enough for them to move her into her room. She has a fever tonight, and her blood sugar has dropped. The nurse said these things are not normal. PLEASE continue your faithful prayers.

She was sleeping when I left her just now for dinner. Grandma is with her. Thank you for the many messages I've received today, for your prayers, and calls. I will try to reply to you all tomorrow. I can hardly fathom the peace I felt throughout this day; only the love, peace, and strenght of Jesus could make that possible. (Of course, I was little shaky during that she isn't waking up well moment.)

I'm showering quickly and going back to the hospital tonight.



Ellie Post-Op--May she never be this still again. ;)