Pre-op was booked from 1pm and took all afternoon. We went up early to make sure we were there on time and to have lunch first.
It all went as I expected really. There was quite a bit of waiting around, discussions about the actual surgery, risks, recovery, consent form and photos of Kate's head taken at various angles in a studio setting. The nurse explained that her CT Scan had been reviewed and showed full fusion of the coronal suture and that everything else is ok - they look at the whole head/brain etc by the sounds of it. Even though she'd had 'magic cream', by the time they were ready to do swabs for MRSA and take blood the nurse through it was better for Mum to take Nikki away - Kate really can scream and really doesn't like nurses now!
The worst thing about today was hearing that her scar will be from ear to ear, right across the top of her head. I had imagined it would only be half-head.
The best thing was that she's not bothered by the plaster/dressing on her hand. Hopefully that means she won't try to rip the turban-like bandages off her head after the op!
Kate's date for Coronal Craniosynostosis - frontal orbital remodelling surgery is still 17th April at the moment, next Weds.
Kate's Pre-Op - the Long Story - for those who like the detail and anybody going through this that might like to know. Kate will be 18 months by the time of her op next week!
Our friend who used to be a play specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) thought it was a good idea and I thought it might be good for Nikki to come. So I asked my Mum to come to help me today with taking the two to London. Not knowing what was going to happen or how Kate would react to anything today I couldn't have done it on my own. It was the right decision for us I feel.
We left early (10am train) with the intention of having a play in Coram Fields or the Activity Room if it was too rainy and lunch before the appointment at 1pm. The journey was fine, though Nikki was a bit moody as she's had lots of late nights in the school holidays (she is only just 5).
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| Playing at Coram Fields |
In the entrance Nikki asked why a girl she'd seen had no arms. I said that lots of children come to this hospital with all kinds of problems to be helped or fixed and that Ceri on CBeebies only has one arm and she's fine. That was the end of it.
We found the lunch hall (Lagoon Restaurant), had lunch courtesy of my Mum and then went to find the ward. The restaurant is very reasonably priced with various options from sandwiches & salad to hot meals and snacks.
We arrived on Dinosaur Ward and the girls got to play and draw for a bit while we waited. Then I got some forms to complete. Kate was even unhappy about having the magic cream and plaster put on her hand and foot (to numb the area for the needle for blood-taking). It takes a while to work so we went up a floor to Photography to have the 'before' photos of Kate taken.
Another play area and short wait was good for Nikki and Kate, as it was very hot on Dinosaur Ward and they had been running around. The photography area is like a studio with big lights, black backdrop and props. We easily manipulated Kate's poses with noisy toys, so the man snapped away and it was done quickly.
Back on Dinosaur Ward we saw a man who will be in on Kate's surgery (can't remember his title but not an actual surgeon) who advised of all the risks again to do with surgery and I signed the consent form. This is when I asked about her scar and he said it will be from ear to ear, right across the top of her head and his gesture to show why made my stomach turn. I had imagined it would only be half-head and don't really want to know any more about the actual surgery!
Then we saw the nurse who explained about what happens before and after, what to bring in and more about her recovery. Mum went off to get hot water to make up Kate's milk as I could tell she was beginning to want it and the lady explained that they had reviewed her CT Scan from yesterday this morning. That it is a full fusion of the coronal suture and that everything else is ok and normal. I didn't know they looked at anything else, but it makes sense I suppose and it was good to hear. I also asked her about hearing issues and she said there's not normally problems with hearing. Kate seems fine so that's something for me not to worry about.
Nikki was lying on the bed, being very sleepy and not really paying attention so that was also good. Then the lady came to take Kate's blood and the nurse suggested my Mum take Nikki out - that was a good idea!! Kate screamed and fought, even though she'd had plenty of time for the magic cream to work, and her vein was good so they got it on first attempt from her hand. (Her foot was creamed to give a second option, just in case!)
The lady gave me a form about surgery day and the call we should expect about fasting the night before and we left.
The bus and train journey home were uneventful as Kate slept nearly the whole way. Nikki fell asleep for a few minutes on the bus and then my Mum bought her magazines to keep her happy the rest of the journey home.
I am actually really glad to have a break now until surgery. Fingers crossed it can go ahead on Weds 17th as we'll have to go back and do bloods & some pre-op stuff again if it gets delayed again!
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