Okay, I’m going to try again to revive my blog. I really do enjoy blogging, but since school started for the girls, I feel like I’m always on the go. Also, two members of our family had surgery in the month of September, so it’s been a crazy time around our home. Macey is full recouperated from her surgery and has been released from her surgeon’s care. Praise God that it all went so smoothly and that she has healed so well! Mickey had surgery on his legs this past Wednesday for compartment syndrome and he has been a real rock star patient. He is doing incredibly well. Again, praises to God!! So, our family has had quite a lot going on, but maybe I can find time to get back into blogging because I miss it. 🙂
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Quick Post-Op Report…
- Macey’s surgery was yesterday.
- The abridged version of the story is that the surgeon was pleased with everything. He confirmed that the cyst was a benign Thyroglossal Cyst and he was able to remove all of it in addition to a piece of bone where it was attached.
- Macey did extremely well through the surgery and her recovery is going great as well.
- She still has some swelling in her neck and face, but that is going down nicely. Her energy level is great, her appetite is almost normal again and she is really doing extremely well.
- PRAISE GOD!!!
- Thanks to those who posted and who supported us with prayer. Continued prayers are appreciated as Macey heals and recuperates fully.
A Quick Update…
It’s been awhile since I have posted. I hate to be so far behind on my blog. I have book reviews and other posts just waiting for me. But, I have been SO busy with life in general. I’m on the Parents Council for preschool this year and that has been busy, but fun. Macey has her after school activities and we have church activities, etc. But, I am hoping that once we settle into routine now that both schools (elementary and preschool) are in session I can find my blog groove again. I miss it.
Macey’s surgery is tomorrow, September 5th, at 10:25AM (EST).
The surgery will be done atat a local childrens hospital where I used to work several years ago. Macey got to visit there yesterday. She saw a Child Life Specialist (CLS), who talked her through things and gave us a tour of day surgery. Macey was extremely shy around the CLS, but was absolutely taken by the toy/game room they had there. She barely talked to the CLS, but she talked about her new friend to me all evening and even made a poster to take in for the CLS on Friday. The hospital has been renovated and new buildings have been built since I worked there years ago. It is SO nice!! I took Macey to the gift shop after we met with the CLS and let’s just say that the gift shop was a HUGE hit!! While she is in surgery tomorrow, we plan to go down and get balloons to have for her when she wakes up.
Besides the time, here is what we know about tomorrow:
- The surgeon has already told us the surgery will last about an hour.
- Child Life Specialist (CLS) told me yesterday that Macey will get the “loopy juice” (a pre-sedative drink with the drug Versed) and will go back for anesthesia without us. She will go to a recovery room post-op,but will be brought to us in a room as soon as she wakes up. She said that most kids have no memory of being in recovery.
- We’ll be in a room with Macey for at least two hours post-op to make sure she wakes up well, gets rehydrated, etc. Pending any complications, we’ll be home in the afternoon. If any complications are present (unlikely per the surgeon), she’ll be admitted for observation.
So, that’s what’ going on here, at least the biggie. Prayers for our family and especially our sweet Macey are much appreciated. Mickey and I have a real peace about all of this and we trust that God has this all in His hands. The butterflies in our stomaches are fluttering, but we have every faith that Macey will come through this with flying colors.
Kelly
Surgery Date…
The scheduler called me this morning and Macey’s procedure is now scheduled for Friday, September 5th. We’ll call the hospital the day before surgery to find out the time and get instructions, etc. Dr. B will have only a few cases between 8:30a-12noon that day and will operate on the youngest first then work through. We’re working on getting Macey in for a visit and tour with a Child Life Specialist.
This is becoming so real. I’m still at peace about it, but…well, my heart is just a little edgy. I have faith and I believe that all will be fine, but the old nerves still kick in when I least expect it.
We are still processing all of this and praying our way through it. We are grateful that it’s not major and have every hope that things will go smoothly and uneventfully. As always, we appreciate the prayers more than words can express.
Kelly
Updating On Macey…
We met with the surgeon this morning regarding Macey’s cyst. He feels that it is a Thryroglossal Cyst. This is a benign cyst that is congenital and actually pretty common. When the thyroid starts to form, it begins at the base of the tongue and as it develops, it moves down into the neck region. What causes these cysts to develop is that sometimes, for some reason, some of the tissue from the thyroid is “left behind” and it encapsulates in a “knot.”
Dr. B (the surgeon) feels that surgery to remove Macey’s cyst is the best option and after talking with him this morning, Mickey and I agree. He said that if we leave the cyst alone, it could actually grow and start to cause pain OR if it ever becomes infected, it is then really difficult to remove completely and could cause more residual issues.
The surgery is outpatient and done under general anesthesia. The surgery lasts, usually, about an hour. They will remove the cyst and take some of the bone as well. Once they remove the cyst, it will be sent to the lab to be analyzed and biopsied. Macey will have a small incision on her neck and will have dissolvable stitches. Assuming there are no complications, she will come home the day of surgery.
Dr. B is incredibly nice. Mickey and I both got a real sense of peace after meeting with him and talking everything over. We are all on the same page that this is the right choice of treatment for Macey because it’s best to go ahead and remove it before any complications potentially arise. The surgery scheduler will call us in the next few days and we’ll get it scheduled. We are hoping to have it on a Friday so that Macey can recouperate over the weekend and return to school on Monday. (She really dislikes missing school.) The surgery will be at the hospital where I used to work, so that is comforting as well. I know Macey will be in great care and is always in God’s loving embrace.
Please continue to lift up prayers for Macey and our family. We are still at peace about this, but it’s still hard to thinking of a child undergoing surgery. Still, we know that God is with Macey and will see her thought every step of this journey.
Kelly