We’ve been waiting for C’s pediatrician’s office to get the H1N1 vaccine.   They did get a small amount in, but it was allocated to high-risk children – those with asthma, diabetes, cerebal palsy, etc. 

Last weekend, our county held public vaccination clinics.  S and I decided to take C so she could at least get the first shot.  (At her age, she’ll need a second booster as well.)   The clinic was from 9:30 to 3:30am. 

We arrived at 7:30am after waking up a sleepy C.  The line was already around the building!   We settled in line.   Luckily, I brought snacks for C as well as some books.   But, she was very content with playing games and videos on our iPhones. 

She did surprisingly well considering it was SEVEN hours from the time we got there to C getting the vaccine!   She cried and screamed when she saw all the other young kids doing the same in the room where the shots were taking place.   But, we managed to get through that.

A very long day, but I’m glad that C has received the vaccine.

I was finally able to spell Ophthalmologist without mis-spelling it the first time around.

A first for me.  That first “h” always threw me off.

We had the eye appointment today.  The PO says that C’s eyes are healing quite well. 

She did the eye test today, and both eyes seem to be 20/30.  The PO indicated that C’s left eye turned in more than the right eye so we’re going to patch the right eye for 2 hours a day.  At our next appointment, we’ll get a new prescription, and we’ll see how her eyes are with the glasses.

Even though there is a turn, her eyes look much better in terms of the eye crossing than before the surgery (w/out glasses).

And, I was so proud of C today.  For the first time, she sat through the appointment with no fussiness.  She sat through the ABC chart test and light shining part of the exam.   The only time she cried (briefly) was when the PO put the patch on her eye.  She wore it for 2 hours without even trying to take the patch off.  A relief for me!

It’s been about 3.5 weeks since C’s eye muscle surgery. 

As her eyes heal, we’re noticing that they cross more than they did right after her surgery, (but certainly a lot less than they did before surgery).   The doctor had said this was expected since her eye muscles will tighten as they heal.  Plus, C has accommodative esotropia so her eyes will cross without glasses.  (I was just sooo excited to see them very straight immediately after surgery.)

She has not been wearing her glasses since the surgery because her current glasses causes one of her eyes to turn outwards.  The PO told us to have her not wear her glasses until she can give us a new prescription.  I hope that C won’t be fussy when she gets new glasses and won’t forget what it’s like to wear them!

We go back for a check-up on Friday.  I hope that the doctor agrees her eyes are healing properly.  Only the inner corners are still red.

 Not-so-scary scarecrow and pumpkins at the pumpkin patch

We went to the pumpkin patch on Sunday.  This year, we decided to just go to the corner “makeshift” pumpkin patch rather than the pumpkin farm (about 1 hour away).  At this age, it didn’t make a difference to C – she got to pick out her pumpkin and went into the bouncy houses and slides. 

This weekend, we are going to my sister’s house for a Halloween Party – it’s potluck.  I found a cute appetizer to make in the spirit of things – “Spooky Spider Eggs” (recipe from Sunset Magazine).    Every year, she has a party with pumpkin carving, and all the pumpkins are showcased when it gets dark. 

C is going to be a cheerleader this year for her costume – we had a dress around, and I went out to buy some pom-poms.   I think next year, she’ll probably have more of a say in what she dresses up as!

A child’s imagination

Charlie and Lucy watching TV

Sara Lynn and Maggie watching the stove

Bus Driver and Big Bird chatting

Furniture gets moved every day

Little People arrive and leave

Where will her imagination take them tomorrow?

I am getting back into the reading groove.   Usually when I read, that’s all I do on my free time (usually when C is asleep or playing on her own).  So, I had stopped reading any books for a few months so I could get some other things done.   But, I’m back into reading again.

I usually look at Amazon’s bestseller top 100 list for ideas of books.  I had seen The Help by Kathryn Stockett and downloaded a sample to my Kindle.  Finally got around to reading the sample this morning.  It seems promising.   I can actually picture the characters in their Southern homes as I’m reading – in the first few pages, I already like one of the main characters.  

I’ll know in a week or so if I agree with the 900+ Amazon customers who gave the book 5 stars….

Why doesn’t anyone make tops and pants for toddlers which can be worn equally well front or back?

C is learning to put on clothes by herself, but hasn’t quite mastered how to tell what is the front or back of the top or pant.  And, I hate to correct her, but if her clothes are backwards, they end up too tight in certain places!

To prepare myself for C’s eye muscle surgery (both eyes), I read a lot of forum discussions and various blog posts about other parents and their child’s experience with surgery for strabismus.  [I don't have the complete medical name for her procedure.  I didn't write it down so I'll have to ask about it at the post-op appointment.]

It was very helpful to get an idea of what to expect before, during, and after the surgery.  S and I are so thankful for the Internet which allows us to sit at home and find others who are in a similar situation as we are. 

And so, to share back, I wanted to write about my (our) experience.  (Please note that I am not giving any medical advice so do not interpret as such.)

Before the Surgery

It was a long weekend leading up to (this past) Monday – the day of C’s eye muscle surgery.  Naturally, I felt very nervous.  We had made the appointment several months ago – the date was far enough away that it didn’t seem “real” yet, and we had the entire summer first.  As the date crept closer, we took C to a pre-op appointment with her pediatrician to make sure she was generally healthy.  We also had several pre-op appointments with the pediatric ophthalmologist (PO) (eye surgeon).  At those appointments, the PO measured and verified the amount of eye turn that needed to be corrected.  We also received two gel packs for use after the surgery, a prescription for antibiotic eye drops, food/liquid instructions to follow prior to surgery, and a list of things to avoid the few weeks after surgery.  We were all set.

C’s pediatrician had told us to check her temperature a few days before the surgery.  If her temperature was 100.5 or higher, we needed to cancel the surgery.  Obviously, C could not be sick during the surgery.

C is 2.5 years old, and old enough to understand some of what is going on.  To prepare her, we told her that the eye doctor was going to fix her eyes and that she will see better.  We also told her that her eyes will be red (since she likes to look at the mirror) and will hurt a little bit, but that was OK.  I’m not sure if this sunk in or not, but I felt better that she wasn’t going into the surgery completely unaware.

The night before, the anethesiologist called us to let us know what would be happening and to answer our questions.  From what we had read, our number one concern was to make sure that we would be able to be at C’s side when she woke up from the anesthesia.  We were told that we couldn’t be there immediately as the nurse had to take vitals, etc, but we would be there as soon as possible (few minutes afterwards).   He confirmed no food or liquids (even water) after midnight.  C’s surgery would be at 8:15am.

That night, I packed up a few of C’s favorite stuffed animals, diapers, a change of clothes, socks (to wear into the surgery), some water, and a pack of raisins.  I wasn’t sure how she’d handle the food or if she’d want to eat, but I wanted to be prepared with something simple.   I also made sure to bring her glasses case to hold her glasses.

I felt anxious and found it hard to sleep.  I knew that I had to get sleep though or else I would not be in good shape to take care of C. 

Surgery

We had to arrive at 7:30am at the surgical center.   The procedure is an outpatient surgery so C would not need to spend the night.  Her procedure would take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, we were told, with one hour for recovery time there.   We woke up C around 6:40am to try and leave the house around 6:50am (giving ourselves 10 minutes of wiggle room).  The plan was to bring C there in her sleeper, and not wake her up too early because she’ll want to eat her cheerios and drink her milk!

We filled out paperwork. 

Soon, we were called in.  C was weighed and had her temperature (ear) taken.  But, she wasn’t about to let the nurse take her blood pressure or her heart rate (via a finger monitor)! 

At this point, we were in the pre-op room.  The nurse asked a few standard questions.  There was one form that we had to initial and sign indicating the specific procedure to be performed.  Of course, it is in medical terms so we were not sure.   One advise I can offer is to ask the PO and write down the procedure name beforehand.  We did end up signing the form since we knew we’d see the PO shortly before the surgery and can ask her to confirm.

We were given a gown for C to wear.  I think that C was not sure what was going on now and kept asking for food.  She was getting fussy.  Luckily, there was a TV in the room, and we put on Curious George to calm her.   We were waiting on our own for about 1/2 hour which, at the time, seemed like a long time. 

C would be given something to take orally.  I didn’t get the exact name, but it is something like “valium for kids” to get them relaxed so that they would not put up a fight going to the OR with the nurse.   C didn’t complain when we gave her this medication – I think it was because the nurse flavored it.    About 5 minutes after taking this, C was grinning from ear to ear and sort of slurring her words.  At about the same time, the PO came in to discuss any last minute questions we may have and to reassure us, I’m sure.  When the PO left, C said “bye bye nurse” in a very funny manner.  She also was playing with her eyeglass case since we were getting ready for her to go into OR.  She imagined her eyeglass case to be a camera (taking photos of us) and a butterfly.  In this brief moment of a stressful day, S and I both had a good chuckle about C acting like she’d had a bit too much to drink and acting silly.

It was now time to part for the surgery.  The nurse brought in a red wagon with a pillow and a blanket in it.  C readily went into the wagon and covered herself with the blanket.  Then she said, “pull me.”  I was so glad that she didn’t put up a fight – althought I suppose with this medicine taken beforehand, there wasn’t a chance for her to do so anyway.   I tried not to cry as we went to the waiting room, and I didn’t. 

The waiting room had a monitor with each patient’s status (using initials).  C was now in the OR.

After Surgery

The time for me passed fairly well in the beginning.  I had a new book to read and had a bagel to eat.   

As the 1.5 hour mark was reached, I was getting a bit anxious for the status on the monitor to change to show recovery room.  Once the 1 hr 45 min mark was reached, S started to get nervous.  So was I.    We both reached a sigh of relief when the status updated accordingly.

Soon, the PO came out to tell us how the surgery went.  Immediately, the anesthesiologist came out to motion for us to go back to the recovery room.  C was coming out of anesthesia, and was crying for me.   We hurried back into the recovery room, and I went to hold C.   She was crying, but stopped soon after I held her.  I comforted her while S went outside to talk with the PO.  

C had an IV hooked up to her arm and a monitor for pulse/oxygen level taped to her toe.   Her eyes were open slightly, but had a film of antibiotic gel on them.  She was so sweaty, especially her hair.   I found out this was due to being on a heated sheet since the OR is very cold.   But, it felt so good to have her in my arms.

The one unexpected thing was that she had something like a fever blister on one side of her nose.  I asked the nurse about it, and she wasn’t sure what it was.  She checked with the OR folks, and the only thing that C had on her nose was a towel to cover the bottom part of her face.  The blister was filled with some liquid.  The PO and the anesthesiologist were in the middle of another operation so they were not able to come out right away to take a look.

We had been told the previous night by the anesthesiologist that C may be nauseous / vomiting after the surgery and that she should not be given any liquids until we got home due to the car’s motion.  But, after a bit in the recovery room, the nurse offerred her an apple juice.  C drank that fast!   And, luckily no vomiting from that.

Her pulse and oxygen level were doing fine.  We decided to wait for the PO and the anesthesiologist to look at her nose.  After about 45 minutes, they were available.  They didn’t know what could cause it.  One theory may be the mask had some sort of defect on it, but they had already thrown the mask away.  The PO gave us a topical antibiotic to put on the blister for a few days.

We changed C back to her normal clothes.   I had brought a t-shirt (over the head) and a lightweight zipper jacket for C.   I decided to just have C wear the zipper jacket home.   I suggest bringing a shirt that does not pull over the head to wear home and for the first day or so to avoid brushing against the eyes.

And, we were given the go-ahead to go home.

Rest of Day and Next 4 Days

As expected, the whites of C’s eyes were red.  There was very minor swelling around the eyes.  She didn’t open them very wide, almost squinting a bit.  Luckily, she was not rubbing them much either.   Once home, C mostly wanted to sleep.  We were told to give her Tylenol for the first two or so days.   And, we started the antibiotic drops as well – to be done 4 times a day for 2 weeks. 

I was amazed when I saw how straight her eyes are.  And, this is without her glasses.  S and I were a bit surprised by this because we thought there would be some eye turn without the glasses since C also has accommodative esotropia.  When we asked the PO about this the next day, we were told that the eyes are healing, and the muscles may tighten a bit, causing some turning later on (without glasses).

C slept well that first night.

About mid-day the second day, C’s personality was back.  She played with her toys and watched The Wiggles and Caillou.    By the third day, C was jumping around.   You wouldn’t know she had surgery earlier in the week unless you looked at her eyes.

For about 3 mornings, C woke up with some crustiness in her eyes and had some difficulty opening them.  She’d tell us that her eyes hurt.  We continued to give her the Tylenol which helped.   This morning was the first day without any crustiness in her eyes when she woke up.  Yeah!

The eye drops continue to be a fight, but I’m willing to be in that fight.  

It’s now Friday, and C had the surgery on Monday.  It seems like a long time ago.  C’s eyes seem to be healing OK – the inner and outer corners of her eyes are red.  Below her eyes, her skin is a little yellow – it seems that the slight swelling / skin had changed colors from a purple-ish (bruise color) to a yellow-ish color which means it is healing also.  The blister has also popped on its own and seems to be healing.

She is back to her normal self.  Her eyes look great.  One thing we will do tomorrow is to put her glasses back on her.  She has not been asking for them.  We had kept them off because her eyes were a little swollen and there were some crustiness so I didn’t want her glasses to bother her as they sit on her face.   I was also a bit worried that seeing her eyes being red in the mirror would scare her; but I was wrong to worry.  (And, the PO said it was OK for her not to wear them for a few days.)

The PO did tell us that if her eyes turn outward with her glasses on, we should take the glasses off and keep them off until our appointment.  We have a 1 week and a 6 week post-op appointment.

Final Thoughts

I simply cannot believe it as I watch C’s eyes move together or when she stares straight at me.  I hope she is able to see better and that we (as parents) have made a good choice to have this surgery be done.

We spent 2.5 days at Disneyland.   It was great fun for all of us – we went right after Labor Day on weekdays and avoided a lot of the summer and weekend crowds.   I’d recommend spending more than one day so that you don’t feel rushed and can go back on the favorite rides again and again. 

C’s favorites include:  Dumbo ride, meeting the characters, eating a chocolate covered banana, Winnie the Pooh ride, Small World, and more. 

And, S got to finally go on the Indiana Jones ride!

Disneyland Entrance and Goofy at City Hall

It’s a Small World

Walking through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle into Fantastyland

Mickey and Minnie Mouse were a hit