This Ruby gal is a trooper. And so are her sweet siblings. Just had to get it out there. =)
Yesterday morning started bright and early - 4am for me. I got about 2.5 hours of sleep Sunday night, according to my expert calculations. =P Lovely. Anyways...got Ruby up and ready and hit the road. Things at the hospital were MUCH less crazy this time around - no 3 people talking to us at one time. Just more laid back. We even had 20 minutes or so to walk around and go outside and stuff before we had to be back in and put the gown on. Ruby enjoyed looking at the toys in the rec area and riding on the big glider swing thing out in the courtyard. ;)
Ruby walked back to the pre-op area and was doing pretty good back there until she got more nervous. Duh. Anyways, that was probably around the time the anesthegiologists showed up. Anyhow, they weren't going to give her any "happy juice" because she seemed fine, though they noticed that she was hugging her soft blanket extra tight. I told them that she wouldn't be so fine when being taken from Mommy, so they gave her some "happy juice". When they were giving it to her, Ruby jumped as this syringe-like thing came at her - told me later she thought they were giving her some blood - so she asked "what is this for" and didn't take it until she found out it was to help her feel more happy. Sure enough relaxed her. To the point that she was just silly loopy - head tilted to the side, not remembering things, not really answering questions, mouth hanging slightly open. And once she got good and doped up, they brought out an electric car thing for her to drive to the OR. Man. She's a bad driver WITHOUT drugs. With it? Help us all. =) She almost ran over one of the anesthegiologists before he wisely "helped" her and her bobbing, floppy head steer her car down the hall and around the corner. She didn't even say goodbye to us!
Surgery went incredibly well - took about 4 hours, and no pins or screws were required as her bone graft took well. And the hip was stable enough that Dr. Walker didn't need to tighten any ligaments. We finally saw her about 5 hours after she drove away. She had been crying for Mommy and Daddy in the recovery room. Wonder why they wouldn't let us back there? Hmmm...anyways...
She was tired, but unable to sleep. Pain free until about 5pm. And then last night it got worse - slight crying when they move her, but she says her hips really hurt. She didn't get a "good" nap in until today when she slept around 30-40 minutes while David was up here with her. And now she's been sleeping pretty much for the past hour and a half or so? Minus the frequent jerking awakenings that make her cry a little. She is afraid because she feels like she's moving. Lovely side effect of the medication. But you know...can't imagine how much pain she'd be in without it.
Today she told me something like, "I wish the cast was off already" and that she wishes that she only had to wear it "for like 30 minutes" or something. Oh. And that she wishes that David or I or Isaac had to have the surgery instead of her. =P Poor girl...this is gonna be a long haul.
Today Isaac, Jadelyn, David, Grandma and Grandpa got to come visit. Ruby was excited about it, but not too enthusiastic when they were here for the most part. Just doesn't feel up to it. They visited a little, then Isaac, Jadelyn, Karl and Linda and I headed out for a picnic at the park. It was lovely. I was beat tired and felt bad for "leaving" Ruby (though David stayed with her) but you know...a Mom's gotta take care of ALL her kids, right? Isaac and Jadelyn were missing their nap, but stayed sweet and kind and loving the whole time. I about fell asleep sitting on a bench at one point. Isaac then took me to a more private "room" in which to rest. =) Love that guy. They didn't particularly want to leave the park when it was time, but Isaac was excited to come back to the hospital to see Ruby. Love watching how much he loves that gal!
When we got back, David headed out to Wal-Mart with Karl and Jadelyn to pick up a few things, but Isaac stayed behind. Right by Ruby's bed for the most part - "playing" with her and sharing with her and overall warming my heart. He didn't want to leave tonight - not sure if that was from pure love for his sister or because he was having such a ball making the pinwheel spin like crazy in front of the fan. ;) I like to think it was mostly the former. ;)
After they all left, Ruby and I did some "coloring". Ruby points to what we're going to color and then points to what crayon she wants to use. She loves it, and we have done lots of it. She and David also "colored" this afternoon. I enjoy spending the time with her, and really like the "therapy" it gives to her arms. She has kept them up close by her face holding her blanket that it hurts her to move them. But her range of motion is much improved today - I like to think it's a direct result from our "coloring". ;) We looked through some presents that Ms. Sally from David's work had brought up. Wowzers. This gal has some PRESENTS! People are so very thoughtful and somehow know just what she will like! We also played a game of Old Maid which she whooped me at. ;P And then she was looking beat tired, so I asked her if she wanted to rest. She wanted to and boy, has she! I straightened up the room much to my OCD relief, and she slept and slept and slept. Minus the aforementioned jerks. Here's to hoping for a good night's sleep! For her. And me. ;)
