(This morning we have an appointment with oncology to find out Becca’s test results. I’ll  try to post later this afternoon with what we find out.)

Thursday Evening: Thursday night we prepared for Becca’s surgery. Josh took Becca to Daddy Story Time (No Mommies Allowed!) at one of our libraries while I stayed home and packed. I did Becca’s hair that evening, so it wouldn’t be in the way during the surgery or recovery. Originally Becca was scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 6:30am, but late Thursday afternoon we received a call that her arrival time had been moved to 8AM. Our biggest concern with this was Becca having to fast before the surgery.

Friday: We’re very grateful that Becca slept until we left at 7AM. We’re also very thankful to Karen Isham who came to the hospital to watch Isaiah so Josh and I could be with Becca before her surgery. Karen also came with gifts for Becca. The bunny slippers were a hit! Becca had her pre-surgery assessment and then we were sent to a playroom to wait. Becca enjoyed playing until about 10:15 when she realized she was thirsty! We then asked how much longer the wait would be, and they immediately took Becca and me into the medication room so she could have her “giggle juice” to relax her for the surgery. Unlike the other procedures, I could not go back with Becca to where they would administer the anesthesia, so the “giggle juice” helped relax her so they could wheel her away without Mommy. She did great!

Becca’s surgery started around 11:30 am, and less than an hour later the surgeon came out to meet with us and tell us that the tumor popped right out — a very easy removal, all done laparoscopically. After surgery they did the marrow aspiration, and then we were called into the recovery room with Becca, who was sound asleep from the morphine. We had to wait for an in-patient room to open up for Becca. Isaiah was allowed to be with us in the recovery room – which worked great for nursing him. (The picture to the left is how Becca looked when we first saw her after surgery.)

Becca slept until about 5:30 pm – and then wanted to be held. She was pretty grumpy the rest of the day and we held her until 11PM. We had decided that Josh would spend the night in the hospital and I would take Isaiah home. I figured it would be better for me to get some sleep. However, when we told Becca, she said “but I need you!”. What can a mommy do? So I spent the night in the hospital with Becca. She said it was special to stay in the hospital because Mommy could sleep in her bed (though I didn’t get too much sleep that night).

Saturday: After getting a few hours’ sleep Friday night, Becca woke up in the morning at 5 or 5:30 in much better spirits. I was exhausted, so we watched Finding Nemo while we waited for Josh and Isaiah to arrive. After breakfast Becca and Josh went down to the hospital playground on the 1st floor, Becca quite happy in her wagon. She got out and walked around and played quite a bit, and then she wanted to go back upstairs to show mommy she could walk. she came up and said, “look Mommy, I learned how to walk! I can walk!”

For most of the rest of the morning, she insisted on pulling the wagon rather than sitting in it. Karen Isham had given Beca a Build A Bear gift card, so we went down to the hospital store and Becca choose (and named) “Monkey Monk” as her new friend. We left after lunch, and Becca cried when she got to the car — she was exhausted (and sad to leave the great play areas behind). After we arrived home Becca slept from 1:30 to 6:30 (the rest of us also took long naps).

Sunday: We had a rough start Sunday morning, but after that she did well. Sunday afternoon Becca woke up from her nap and was feeling well, so we made it to the end of the NICU reunion to see the nurses while they were cleaning up. It was good to see many of Becca’s nurses. Sunday afternoon Mrs. Krager (the wife of Josh’s dissertation committee member from GIAL) came to visit. She brought Becca two books – the one about Madeline was appropriate, since Madeline also had surgery on her tummy.

Becca has made a great recovery. She did not want to take pain medication – tough girl. We are very grateful for all the people who have been praying for Becca. The surgery could not have gone smoother. We thank the Lord for all His grace to us these past few weeks.