PICU

     We have been in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit since Hazel's surgery and she has been doing fairly well! It was extremely overwhelming for me at first though. When we first came in, we saw her laying in bed with 7 different tubes coming out of her and all sorts of wires. She also had an insulating shower cap on to keep her head warm. What surprised me was that she was already coming out of her anesthesia, and although groggy, was responsive to us and even fighting her breathing tube. I was able to tell her that Dr. Bliss was able to take her Neuroblastoma out and she started nodding her head showing is that she was happy! I'm so grateful God gave us that moment because the very next one she began gagging and vomiting. She ended up doing this several times, but the incredible nurses kept her clean and as comfortable as possible. It just broke my heart to watch, especially when we saw a solitary tear stream down he cheek.

     They pumped her full of four different kind of medications to help her fall asleep, but our little Hazelnut pushed through them. She wanted nothing to do with sleep and kept her eyes open and made sure we knew she didn't like this new situation. But for someone so agitated, she remained extremely calm. She wasn't pulling away or flailing around at all; just keeping her eyes open! The nurses were astounded and we told them that our daughter has quite a strong will!

     She remained pretty agitated throughout the night and even pulled out her NG tube (one that goes up her nose, down her throat and into her stomach to pump fluid out until her bowels begin working) a little bit, so she had to have her arms restrained. She really didn't end up falling into a deep sleep until late the next morning. She has been sleeping fairly peacefully ever since, waking up for 10 minutes or so here and there.

     She has had an epidural in place since the surgery, so although she has been bothered by all the tubes, she doesn't seem to be in pain at all, which we are so thankful for. The nurses have all said that she is doing very well and will recover quite nicely. Slowly but surely, they continue to take out more tubes and today we are going to be moved upstairs to the 4th floor! 

     I am so glad to have this step in Hazel's recover behind us now! It is so good to know that that awful thing is no longer inside of my daughter but is instead being chopped to pieces to help researchers gather more data for a cure. Although we had an extremely successful surgery, it is hard to feel completely relieved knowing the long road we still have ahead of us, particularly the Stem Cell transplant. But for now, I will try to  just focus on each day as it comes and rest easy knowing that the tumor is out! We have about 7-10 days ahead of us for recovery, then they will administer the last round of chemo for this phase of treatment! Praise God we are here!!!

     I cannot thank you all enough for the support you provided us with on the day of her surgery. From the bottom of my heart I tell you that I could feel lifted up through your prayers and just knew that God was working!