Emmeline's Surgery

 

Emmeline was very brave for her very first surgery--repairing her umbilical hernia!

We've always known it might be a possibility that Emmeline would need surgery on the umbilical hernia she's had since birth. Before we left for Singapore, we took her to a specialist at Texas Children's Hospital, and he said that she was still too young and he thought it might still correct itself over the next few years. So, when we made a follow up appointment with him in January, we were slightly surprised to hear that he thought it was time for surgery.

Luckily, they were able to squeeze us in for February. Emmeline was a bit nervous and apprehensive beforehand, but we read lots of books, and the child life specialist at the hospital was phenomenal, talking through everything and letting Emmeline decorate her mask with stickers.

 

Brave girl walked down the hallway and into surgery all by herself, while Nick and I waited in the waiting room. Was a very quick (15 min.) surgery and afterward she recovered from anesthesia like a champ, eating her popsicle as quick as can be.

 

    

By the time we got home (Kristy and Konrad's), she was almost her normal self, and she was happy to be treated to donuts, cards, and tv for the afternoon. Cora thoroughly enjoyed her one-on-one time with Mila and Maddox while Emmeline was gone, but she was happy to have sister back. Emmeline was ready to be jumping on the trampoline the next day, but we managed to hold her off a few days longer just to be safe. She had a few days of minor pain in the evenings, but overall, she was back to normal almost the next day, just like Dr. Stafford suggested.