More info & Random details

Hi everyone - this is Melisa (erica's older, bossy sister).

When we got the update, we found out that all of us are allowed to go back to CICU for Clara's first visit. We had to fill out forms to make sure that we did not have any illness that could harm YouYou or anyone else in ICU.

For now, we are all sitting in the Waiting room. We = Erica, Aaron, David (Aaron's Dad - YouYou's YeiYe), Neeesie & Papa (Erica's parents), MawMaw (Neesie's Mom), Faye (Neesie's sister - the one that made panties for YouYou) and me. Every time they call "Someone from the Hammond Family", Erica and Aaron RUN (well, actually they jump up and walk VERY quickly) to the desk.

Every time the intercom sounds the entire waiting room becomes silent while they wait to hear whose turn it is to receive an update.

Now here are some other random details just to keep you satisifed while you wait for more updates...

Erica is wearing a green striped shirt. This morning they gave YouYou a stuffed bear with a oxygen mask on it. The bear was fuzzy and green and matched Mommy's shirt. The nurses actually buy these for the children with their own money.

Earlier, I couldn't find the restroom even though it was about 4 feet away. A few minutes later Aaron almost walked into the Women's restroom.

The ceiling tiles in the waiting room are square and there is a women wearing an Alabama sweatshirt.

There is a really pretty atrium area right outside the waiting area.

MawMaw is laughing at me, Erica and Aaron for spending so much time typing on the computer.

Erica has been reading all her blogs today. She has so many sweet friends that have made special posts about YouYou's surgery today. I have to say that I REALLY appreciate all of you for keeping her in your prayers and being there for her.

Aaron is reading Great Expectations. David is reading The Unknown Story Mao (that Aaron just finished). MawMaw read Guideposts and Faye is reading Readers Digest. I haven't seen Neesie read anything except several blogs. When Aaron found out that she was reading this blog, he made fun of her for reading it since she is "living the blog".

These random details are provided to you so that your deep need for more information can be satisfied. :)

Update 2 - The major portion is done

We just got word that Clara has been taken off the bypass machine and her heart is beating on its own. They are starting to close...

She is doing fine and everything is on schedule.

First update

They took her from us around 7:15 this morning and my heart was ripped out of my chest. She screamed and cried the most pitiful cry because she did not want to leave her mommy. If you read our family blog you will know this is a big step for us...but man was it easier when she willingly left with the nurse for her cath last week. I had a meltdown right there in the pre-op room in front of everyone, but I have since recovered (and my husband wants me to put in here that I was in the arms of my loving, strong husband as I cried :)

We all went down to the food court area and attempted to eat some breakfast and now we are back in the waiting area. As I was typing they called our names and we got our first update - that they have begun the first incision. We should get several more updates along the way so I will try to pass those along.

"In Christ alone, my hope is found..." the words to this song are in my head today.

Surgery Day

We finally marked off all of our tasks last night around 9:00 (medicine, bath, second bath/wipedown for surgery prep, consumption of nightly hard boiled egg :) and by 9:10 YouYou was asleep in her crib. I slept on and off, in between prayers and glances at my sleeping princess. At 2:00 I guess she felt like she got her nap in because she started telling me she wanted out (as she pointed to the window), but she snuggled up to me a few minutes later and went back to sleep.

I can feel His peace, the peace that passes all understanding. The Great Physician will be in the operating room with my little one and that is my comfort. I'll post more when I can...

Pictures and Thank you's!

First...thank you to our Heavenly Father who has entrusted us with this little gift of YouYou. Thank you Lord for your love, your mercy, and your healing touch. Thank you to everyone who is praying for us! Thank you to the nurses and staff that are taking good care of us here at the hospital. Thank you to everyone who has said they want to come visit us...we love visitors! Thank you to my sweet friend Hollie who drove all the way from Iowa to be with us this week (she's taking care of the boys tonight and tomorrow so that my family can be here at the hospital with us). Thank you to all of you who have posted about YouYou's surgery on your blog. That's you...Tammy, Laine, Elizabeth, Emily, Kim, Aimee, Tina, Sheri, Kristi :) And if I missed anyone please forgive me! I love you all!

P.S. For those of you planning on visiting us and who are directionally challenged (that's you Laine :)...I will try to help w/directions. Take Exit 259 B (at least it is B when you are going South on 65), which will put you on 4th street. After you cross the intersection of 4th and 18th street (before you get to 19th street) you will see the entrance to the parking garage on the right. Turn right into the parking garage and park, then take the elevators to the 2nd level (which will say hospital). Proceed towards Admitting, and then ask them where we are (because I can't tell you whether we will still be in CICU or whether we will be back in a regular room). Hope that helps!!

The surgery details

We've been here since a little before 12 and we have had a big day already! YouYou has had her blood pressure and temp. checked twice, she has had an EKG, she has taken a ride in a wheelchair and she has had a chest x-ray. She has been her usual charming and cooperative self, which I am so thankful for. We also got to tour the Pediatric CICU and meet some of the nurses that will be taking care of her (thank you Libby :) And we finally got to meet Dr. Dabel, so now we have all of those details we have been waiting for.

YouYou is Dr. Dabel's only surgery tomorrow so they will be coming to get her between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning. Dr. Dabel expects to start the actual surgery around 9:30 or so and he said the total surgery should last aprox. 5 hours. He expects we might get to see her in CICU around 3:00 if all goes well. He told us that she will be in the CICU for one night for sure, and possibly 2 nights, and then we will be in a regular room for 3-5 more nights.

I will be honest and say that I am a little emotional right now....but I am not fearful or dismayed. I know that He is here with us and He will be taking care of her tomorrow (along with the skilled surgeon :) Thank you so so much for your prayers and I'll post again later.

They're off!

Good morning ya'll! This is Hollie, Erica's friend from Iowa. I am at their house staying with the boys this week. I just wanted to let you all know that Aaron, Erica, and You You took off for B'ham this morning around 9:30am. They will get YouYou checked into the hospital, meet with the doctors, and get settled in today. After meeting with the doctors they will have a lot more info, like what time the surgery will be, how long it will take, etc. So needless to say, they have a very busy day ahead. Someone will update the blog later this evening with all the details. I just wanted you all to know what it going on. I know very well how it is to be on the other side of this machine waiting for info.

Pray, pray, pray for this sweet family today as they find out what tomorrow and the next few days will be like for YouYou.