3rd Stage, one more stage to go

Katie's stage 3 surgery on her ear happened today.

She was more nervous about this one then the last one.

She knew this surgery would be more restrictive in movement then

the other ones.

They were taking full layer skin draft from the groin area.

She was nervous that she would have a hard time walking

That she wouldn't be able to go back to gymnastic in one

or 5 days like she did after the other two surgeries.

She was excited because she was actually going to have an more normal

looking ear.

This is what her ear looked like before going into surgery.  What he did was cut along the bone area and flapped it out.  He also was fixing a "dimple" on the top curve part of ear and the earring hole rip

Got to pick her gown, she chose the one that blows up

Nurse checking her out

The anesthesiologist asked Katie if there was anything she didn't like about the surgery.  She told her she hated the stinky smelling mask.  They asked if she tried chapstick with it and she said yes.  The anesthesiologist then told her she could have an IV if she wanted and she was all for it.  She was a trooper, Praise the Lord with numbing medicine before starting the IV. She had to pick if she wanted her dad or me to go to the OR room with her.  She was very wishy washy and finally decided for me to go.  She was excited to see me get in "doggie suit".  She was in the OR room at 12:01 and went to sleep relatively fast.  We were told the surgery would last about 3 1/2 hours.  We got an update from the nurse around 3 saying everything was going good.  around 4 I was starting to get restless since it was over the time limit.  4:15 the OR nurse called me and they should be done in about 45 minutes.  That the first incision wasn't done until 1. 

Katie in recovery room.  She got in there just after 5.  Her nurse was very bubbly.  The first thing Katie had was a cherry slushy.  The last two surgeries, the recovery nurse was patient and letting Katie slowly come out of the affects of medicine.  This nurse was trying to get her to move fast and awake.  Katie wanted to sleep, didn't want to help getting ready, kept dosing off and the nurse kept talking to her and trying to get her to wake up faster.  She spend only an hour in recovery vs 2 or more hours.  It was nice to go home earlier, but didn't like the fact she was still very out of it and was easily falling asleep and required me to keep waking her up.  This time her ear isn't being covered by the protective bubble.  He doesn't want anything pushing against it.  I was nervous about this as it so easy to bump it, to accidently scratch it, etc.

Such a sad face
She ended up with liquid meds again, she can take pill form, but the dr. can't get the right dose in pills so it is liquid.  The pink stuff is the antibodic.  Monika tasted a tiny bit and told Katie it tasted like the stuff you get put in your mouth at the dentist.  The orange clear one is pain medication, it is double the amount then before (different kind).  She was sitting out on our porch right after she came home.

Down it goes, Thank goodness for water,
She said they both tasted awful

Popiscle time
Monika was being such a wonderful caring big sister.  She was cratering to Katie needs and she got a one of Katie's popiscles out it. 

A welcome home present from my mom



The yellow guaze is suture in, it is holding the other ear away from the head.  The 6 inch skin graft from her left side of the groin is underneath that gauze.

This will stay on until Monday when she sees him again.  She can't take no bath/shower and he said it takes about 6 months for the swelling to all down and look good.  Pray that is will be less then that.

after not eating for almost 24 hours, she was enjoying her second bowl of taco salad.

Her doctor said he was very satsify on how the surgery went.  He said he just dislikes how long it takes for the swelling goes down.
The next surgery will be scheduled for August.  That should be the last surgery and will involve drilling a hole and fixing the inner ear and any final fixing of the ear.

With this surgery we now hitting our max. out of pocket medical expense.  We spoke to her doctor to see if he is willing to do surgery on Jenny yet.  He said "I want her to grow", I told him she grown a little bit, he will look at her on Monday and decide.  Please pray that Jenny is as big as she can be for him to feel comfortable to operate on her.
I am so grateful for the wonderful surgery how does a remarkable job.