Post surgery update

Surgery today went well! The actual procedure actually only took 30 mins. But with prep and all, she was in the OR for about an hour. It was a really weird feeling walking through the same hallway 2 years ago when we were too overwhelmed to process everything but still had to go through it and we just did things as we were told. This time, 2 years older, wiser and more prepared, things went smoother than I originally expected. I laid Olivia down the operating table and I'm just so proud of how brave she was. She handled it like a champ! She looked nervous for sure, but no crying. She held on to my hand really tight and force-shut her eyes while we wait for the general anesthesia (through a mask) to kick in.

Recovery took about a couple hours. Everyone was congratulating us as it was basically like a graduation from all that Olivia has been through, as well as our family. This was the final step and we can finally say WE DID IT!!!

We went straight to her regular check up with her oncologist and everything is looking good. We won't find out her blood work results until tomorrow or Friday though. I had a long conversation with her doctor and I asked all the questions that most families probably ask post treatment, mainly about the possibility of relapse and how to treat fevers from now on. The chances of relapse for her type of leukemia is very rare (less than 5%). The doctor was pretty straightforward though explaining that it is still possible and that is why they still have to monitor her blood counts regularly, more frequently during the first few years post treatment. Now that the port is out, if she gets a fever now, we probably wouldn't need to rush her to the hospital like we used to. It's good to know though that even though we are done with treatment, we know that our oncologist will always be there to answer any questions or concerns that we may have.

Olivia's stitches should heal within a week. We just have to monitor it to make sure it doesn't get infected. Since she's still immuno-compromised, she still can get infections easily.

Surgery day

Today is a big day! Olivia will have her surgery to remove her port from her chest. It's a same day surgery procedure that should take a couple hours for the actual procedure and a couple hours for recovery. Leading up to this day, I have been slowly explaining to Olivia and her brother what to expect. For a 4 year old, she's so smart to ask the right questions. Ever since she had her port, I explained to both of them that she will have a special Ironman piece in her which will have super powers just like Ironman. But now that she's done with treatment, she no longer needs it. She is worried that there will be blood coming out of her body when the doctors take it out and asked if the they will put paper to stop the blood from coming out of her. I've been telling her not to worry because they will be putting her to sleep so she doesn't feel anything. She's used to getting sedated, but this is only her 2nd time getting general anesthesia.

I can't help but feel anxious about today. It must be because of the traumatic experience we had when she had her first surgery to put the port in her about 2 years ago. She was so young and small, wheeled in a crib and I had to carry her to the operating table.

After surgery today, she will have her regular check up and blood work with her oncologist.

More updates later.