Ava's Surgery

Last week Ava went in for double hernia surgery.  She has had an umbilical hernia since birth.  They say they should close up by age 4 or 5, but her's did not.  Then this winter we found out she had an inguinal hernia on the right side.  When she went for her evaluation with the surgeon he told us the plan would be to repair both the umbilical and right inguinal hernias and explore the left inguinal canal for a possible hernia there.

We talked minimally about the surgery and told Ava she would be asleep and would not feel the doctors repairing the small holes she had in her belly.  She had questions about it but overall did not seem too concerned.  She was more worried about missing a few days of school.

The procedure was done at CHOP.  I'm sure all of the doctors there are amazing, it's a wonderful place!  Ava was scheduled to be operated on by the surgeon-in-chief of thoracic and fetal surgery...kinda impressive for only a 'minor' hernia repair.  Overall, everything went smooth.  Ed and I were WAY more nervous than she was.

The OR was backed up so Ava watched cartoons, played on the iPad, and then they brought her a ton of arts and crafts to keep her occupied.  She did a great job waiting!

They gave her some 'giggle juice', aka Versed, 20 minutes before they took her in for surgery.  She was a happy drunk!  Poor little girl.  It was funny, but not :(  She giggled, laughed, asked us crazy questions, and fought to sit up in her bed but finally had to lay down.  She was like a little floppy doll.  Finally they wheeled her away with her blankies.  I'm really glad we did not have to watch them completely put her out like we did when she had her MRI at 18 months.  THAT is hard to watch!

Surgery was only about 30 minutes.  We talked to the surgeon shortly after and all went well.  Turns out there were only 2 hernias to repair, the left inguinal canal was hernia free!  Recovery took about 2 hours...pink popsicles and juice...and then we were home.  I have to say, Ava has NEVER laid down on the sofa when she was not feeling well, never.  Usually she denies she is sick.  But when we got home, she sat still.  It was SO nice :)

Ava missed 3 days of school.  By the weekend she was moving around really well and by Monday she was riding her bike.  She received get-well flowers from her BFF Jack.  I love him :)...

And a very sweet get-well wish from her other suitor, Andrew.  I hope one of these guys is still around in another 20 years!