Daryn's Surgery

Exactly one week after her 6th birthday, Daryn was scheduled for major surgery, consisting of taking part of her intestine and augmenting her natural bladder with it, closing off her bladder and creating a channel to the outside of her body with another piece of intestine. Among other things. She was nervous but good natured going into it. Two days before, we had to get an enema x-ray done at the clinic near our house, which was a fun new adventure. 

And the next day, the day before her surgery, she was on a clear liquid diet all day. She handled it like a champ and really enjoyed all her popsicles and jello. 

Dance party the night before to keep our spirits up!

Joy came to watch the other kids and Lance and I took Daryn to Primary Children's Hospital early in the morning on Thursday.

She helped pack her suitcase full of fun things to do in the hospital and insisted on pulling it herself. 

After lots of check-ups and waiting, it was time to go!

They took her back at just after 9, and we didn't get to see her until around 7:30. The surgery itself was around 9 hours long (they had estimated 5-8). It took longer than anticipated because her intestines had a lot of adhesions that the surgeon had to separate before he could start to work. It was a long day for Lance and I in the waiting.

It took her a while to come out of it and she was not feeling great.

I was just relieved to see her. 

After about an hour she was awake enough to leave post-op and go to her room. She brought her dolls and blanket with her and they gave her some comfort.

We were so grateful for all the calls, texts, visits, and gifts from friends and family. One friend that just moved out of state even had this delivered. We are so lucky to have our support system!

Lance and I took turns staying a day and night at the hospital and switching in the morning. It was exhausting but manageable. I stayed the first night and she for most of it. Somehow Lance always seemed to get the bad days- one step forward, one step back. 

Meanwhile, the kids at home were having a blast playing, first with Gigi and then with Grandma. 

Reagan even got to go see the new Aladdin with her cousin Grace. 

On Sunday, Daryn was feeling well enough that Joy came to stay with her so Lance and I could take the kids to church, and then we all went to visit after. 

I was surprised and impressed with how tender and sweet Reagan was with her. 

Monday morning was really hard, she was trying to eat but felt so sick. Her IV got clogged and they had to put a new one in, which was pretty traumatic. She was screaming and they had to hold her down. But they immediately got some Zofran in her and within 10 minutes it was a night and day difference. 

"I look like Cat in the Hat!" (with her throw up bag).

And just in time, because she had some visitors! The Daseks and the Petersons came to visit, with her good friends Alex and Jackson. 

Later that afternoon, she wanted to go see the hospital's private screening of the new Aladdin movie. They got her all loaded up on a stretcher and wheeled her down. 20 minutes in, she decided she didn't like the movie and back to the room we went. 

After trying for days, we were finally able to convince to walk around. She hobbled a few steps around her room with support, and enjoyed sitting in the sunshine by the window. 

Trying to get her to eat and drink was another huge battle, and basically what we were waiting on to go home. She just had no appetite, and would rather play with toys. It was so nice to see her happy personality come back, after several days of crying, uncooperative sass, and angry defiance. 

On Tuesday she felt well enough for a ride to the playroom!

She really enjoyed painting a snail picture, making slime, and racing the cars down the track. 

On Wednesday, they finally said we could leave! After waiting HOURS for the discharge papers, she was homeward bound! She came home on Tylenol only, and we've slowing been weaning her off of that.

What a difference a bath and some clean clothes make. Although you can really see how skeletal she is in this picture. She lost over 5 pounds- 15% of her body weight :(. Her appetite has gone back to normal here at home, so we're hopeful she'll get back to a healthy weight soon. 

She's steadily been improving at home, and even felt well enough to get up and play!

We're grateful for her improvement. The next month is going to be very long. She has two drainage tubes coming out of her new bladder with bags on the end to catch her urine while she heals. One comes out on the 26th hopefully, and the other a week later, and then she can resume normal activity. Until then, most physical activity is off-limits. She is already bored and I can imagine that's only going to get worse the better she feels. She's down to about 1/3 of a regular tylenol dose now and is getting around pretty well. Wish us luck for the next 3.5 weeks...