Seattle Children's

I know this is old news now, but wanted to write a little more about Hazel's hospital day. Here she is waiting for her consultation. She loved playing with these toys. At this point, we had no idea she'd have surgery that night and be staying the night.

As we met with the doctor and he looked at her infection, he decided that surgery that day would be best (we agreed). Since she had eaten 2 crackers on the way to the hospital and had a couple of sips of water, she could not have the surgery for at least 6 hours. Poor girl. She didn't get lunch (other than the 2 crackers) and didn't end up having surgery until 8:30 at night.

She was admitted around 3:00 and immediately put in isolation since we didn't know what the infection was. That means she, Noel, Nona, and I were in a room for over 5 hours with no food, drink, or toys (other than the couple I brought). She did AMAZING during that time. Noel and I took turns leaving the room to get water and stuff so that we didn't remind her of her hunger or thirst. She didn't take a nap the whole day and didn't have surgery until 2 hours after her normal bedtime. I left around 7:30 to take Nona home and relieve Jude's babysitter. As the anesthesiologist took Hazel from Noel, she completely lost it. She was absolutely terrified in addition to being tired and hungry. The surgery was about 30 minutes and Noel was able to join her about 30 minutes after she woke up (during which time Noel could here her crying through the door, which was absolutely heartbreaking). She slept off and on throughout the night, but needed a lot of comfort and help repositioning from Noel. She had an IV and lots of monitors. She woke up about 3 AM and wanted some milk and crackers. She ate 1 cracker and held 2 more in her hands. She fell asleep holding them and slept til 6. Then she woke up and promptly ate them. Silly Hazel.

She's trying to figure out all the cords on her. Luckily she didn't have to stay on the monitors after she woke up and could walk around.

Noel told her to say, "Good morning, Mommy!", so here she is waving to me, which is her way to say good morning/hello (I was on my way back down with Nona after another babysitter came to stay with Jude). Jude wasn't allowed to come since Hazel was in isolation.

She soon fell back to sleep on Noel and slept for another hour and a half or so. She was so tired.

Shortly after I arrived, she was discharged. Here we are on our way out. She immediately fell asleep in the car and slept the whole way home (2 and 1/2 hours). Ever since her surgery, she was been incredibly clingy. It was very difficult to get her to go in her bed her first night home. She was just grasping me around the neck, which she had never done before. She is still doing this from time to time, but the fear she had of someone looking at her infection site seems to be going away.

Our overall experience at Seattle Children's was great and we are SO glad to be done with this infection. Her surgery site is healing great and hopefully some of her trauma will diminish with time.