Pre Opperation Appointment Today

We met with Sophie Wei's surgeon today and it went very well.

He told us the surgery will last about three to four hours and she will be in the hospital for two to three days. Because of her spinal epidural it will take more time, this will help control her pain.

He said that she needs to be picked up and brought every where like a princess that she is :O) We laughed and said we already do. He does not want her crawling or standing although she will not be able to stand in her cast anyways.

He told us of some things that will happen after words that can be a little scary like her right thigh swelling, etc. He said it is better to know about these things a head of time.

He told us that a wagon or umbrella stroller works well for moving her around during the day. We have an umbrella stroller and the Watson's have loaned us their wagon.

I have found some good advice on another persons blog....Wish I could remember where??? Anyways they said that they put pre-wrap on their child's doll so they could see what would be happening to them.. What a great idea to role play!

He said that the most hardware she will have is a plate on her femur and that would have to be taken out a year later. No pins. They are still going to wait and make that decision if they are going to cut her femur to repair her pelvis during the surgery. If it looks like there might be a chance that it can repair itself after having the hip put back into place then they will wait and watch her closely. If they do wait to fix her pelvis and it does not grow back then she will for sure have to have the femur cut to fix the pelvis when she turns five.

He said some parents are better at keeping the cast area clean than others. He said I could use duct tape to help around the potty area.

After her cast is taken off she will not be able to walk for three to four weeks. He also said that she will have a limp for about six months.

There will be another surgeon assisting him, it is his partner. There will also be an intern there watching but will not be doing any of the work.

We will be at Dornbeckers Childrens Hospital.

We will be going back often for check ups and after the spica cast is off we will see him every few months.

I am not sleeping at all. I am trying not to worry but I can't stop. We are trying to keep her legs and knees free of ouches and keep her healthy and happy.