Macey gets her Cochlear Implants

 

Pre-Op

After 11 months of anticipation, Macey received bilateral cochlear implants Friday at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake. We were required to be at the hospital at 8:15 for her surgery which was scheduled at 9:45.  Despite the fact that she was required to fast, she was still happy sweet Macey the morning of her surgery. She got the cutest little hospital jammies and was interested in all of the medical equipment.

After getting her ready, the docs came out to talk to us about the procedure. After that, we carried Macey to a yellow line in the hospital hall and handed her over to the doctors. The doctors gave us a stuffed koala bear with cochlear implants in exchange for Macey. The doctors definitely got the better end of the deal. Below is the koala. I’m keeping the implants to put on hippo and getting rid of the bear. I hate it.  I don’t like the memories and feelings it reminds me of.

It was a painful experience, one that we never want to relive.

Post-Op

After 4 hours of surgery and almost 5 hours of waiting, I was able to go to the recovery room with Macey. Only one parent was allowed in the recovery room. Mommy definitely trumped Daddy in who got to go. It was really hard for me to see her so out of it, but I was so thankful to have her back in my arms. 

     

As  soon as she was moved to the post op room Kristopher was able to join us. While I was in the recovery room with her, he slipped down to the gift shop and bought her a ladybug balloon. When she finally came to and saw the balloon, she got a smile on her face and held it. It definitely put a smile on Kristopher’s and my face to see her happy little smile.

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon and night at the hospital. We tried to keep her as happy and comfortable as we could. She was a champ!

  

 

That evening we took Macey for a walk in the hospital to get her out of her little room. The hospital halls are lined with wagons and cars for the little kiddos so we took Macey for a drive in one of the cars. She enjoyed the car ride and knew exactly what to do with the steering wheel and horn.

 

We were released from the hospital yesterday morning. All of us are thankful to be home. Macey is recovering well. She’s just a little tired and sore. We’re so grateful that the surgery was successful and there were no complications. She is definitely a special little girl and we love her so much!