Surgery Day

Hi Everyone,

Today we got up at 4:45 AM and got ready. We got here by 6:00 AM. That was when we discovered that they just wanted to make sure we were not late. We waited for an hour and now it is 7:00 AM. They are checking Devree's temperature, and making sure she didn't eat anything after midnight, last night.

They are asking questions about any alergies Devree might have.

Devree will be having another MRI done. They want to have one last look at the tumor and make sure her MRI position dots are all in the right place. This will help with the surgery navigation system that shows the doctor exactly where the tumor is. That shows the doctor more precisely where to cut.

Devrs is getting changed into her hospital pajama pants now. She also gets to wear some cute little hospital socks too.

Now a lot of people are showing up and asking questions about MRI dots (Skin markers or fiducial dots).

We will edit this surgery day blog, and update it as we find out more information.


Todd
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1/12/2009 7:35 AM
I’m glad they are taking another MRI scan and placing more of the MRI marker dots for the GPS system in the operating room.

They wheeled us into surgery prep room and put Devree on a gurney with a nice blanket. A nurse gave her some litocain to numb her skin before putting in the IV. Now the IV is in.

Devree’s anesthesiologist Nicholette Kasman is now going through the medical history again. Nicholette will monitor Devree throughout the surgery.


1/12/2009 7:54 AM
Let’s see… we were up at 4:45 AM and at the hospital by 6:00 AM. We took care of the paperwork to admit Devree to the surgery center (Waiting room 1). They talked about Devree’s MRI dots and decided she needed a new MRI (Examining room 2). Then we went to a big open room for pre-op and post-op and got Devree’s IV and met her anesthesiologist (Room number 3). The GPS system for the operating room is a nice feature, and it isn’t much good if the MRI markers are not in the right places (MRI waiting room 4).


1/12/2009 8:29 AM
Right now we are in the waiting room for surgery (Waiting room 5). They told us that it would take them about an hour before they start Devree’s surgery.

Todd
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We had some of you ask about sending get well cards, balloons, etc.. You can contact the hospital gift shop at 1(650)497-8596. Another way is to send to the address of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. http://www.lpch.org/aboutus/ContactUs/

The hospital will only allow mylar balloons because of latex allergies in some patients.

Todd
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1/12/2009 1:03 PM
It has taken awhile to get started with the surgery. We are in the waiting room for surgery, and there is a 60 inch screen on the wall with surgery numbers on it. Our number has been showing that Devree is prepared for surgery. There was supposed to be a visit by our anesthesiologist when they got started. We never got a visit, but our surgery identification number showed that the surgery was starting.

We waited for another 30 minutes and then went to the cafeteria to get some lunch (awake since 4:30 AM). Devree’s anesthesiologist found us there and apologized that she had not come to see us sooner. There are actually to anesthesiologists assigned to Devree’s team. She told us that Devree was cute as she fell asleep. She told them that she couldn’t feel the anesthesia at all, and then her eyes closed.

Everything is going well. The report is that they didn’t scrub down and get ready for surgery until 10:30 AM. Dr. Edwards has another brilliant doctor from Switzerland working with him today. This other doctor works with Dr. Edwards occasionally on difficult cases. I think he perhaps wanted to get some of the press coverage that comes along with the story about this new medical facility. Whatever the reason, it is wonderful to have 2 brilliant doctors working on our precious Devree.

We don’t expect to have any further information until after 2:00 PM our time.

Todd
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This is a waiting nightmare! We got up at 4:30 so we could be here at 6 am. They didn't even call her till almost 8 am and then they decided to have her do another MRI because the Frankenstein dots fell off. So she had another MRI to place the Frankenstein dots (The GPS system). It is a new operating room with state-of-the art computer systems and she didn't even go into the operating room till after 10:30 am. Then every few minutes they have someone talk to us about the hospital, the services offered here, etc. They gave us a social worker, a financial advisor, someone to reserve a bed for one of us tonight because only one is allowed in ICU. Then the media have talked to us about the "famous tumor" and the nurse comes and tells us not to even ask about when she will be out till after 2PM!!!!! So I have been walking up and down stairs, and walking around the hospital. They gave us a pager so I can some back to the waiting room. Worst of all, PEOPLE ONLY WATCH SOAP OPERAS or stupid THE VIEW in the waiting rooms. I am sorry if I have offended anyone but....what a waste. Well all I've got is time so I try to do what Cyndi Cordell was so smart to tell me from her vast experience of waiting at the hospital. I read her great little short stories book because that is all my anxiety can handle. We will let everyone know when we know.

Love, Shana
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Okay it is almost 2:30 and the nurse finally came in and said that Devree did fine (meaning anethesia is okay for Devree) and the procedure is done and now it will be 1 1/2 hours for the doctor to close and then he will come and talk to us. A few MAJOR questions we will ask. First "Were you able to get all of the tumor?" Second "Is the tumor cancerous?" The nurse said that a frozen peice of the tumor was taken and tested. This is just a preliminary test. The results conclusively will not be for 5 DAYS!!!

During our wait, we were interviewed for the local TV station to talk about Devree and about the new surgical facilities. Todd is e-mailing a picture of Devree now. They did film part of the surgery so Kolten will be happy.

Love, Shana
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In this hospital they don’t use the words, “Bad News”. They say, “Good News and Other News”. Well, we have “Good News”, and we have “Other News”.

The surgery was successful. They were able to remove the tumor. However, the “Other News” is that there were pieces of the tumor that were connected to critical nerves that Devree needs. They also found another nodule, that was far enough away from the hole that they were operating through, that they could not remove it.

The tumor was cancerous and malignant, but we don’t know what kind of cancer it is at this time. We should know what kind of cancer it is within 48 hours. A board of Oncologists will meet on Friday to talk about Devree’s cancer. They will develop a treatment plan at that time.

We know that you all care deeply about us, but we are taking a little time to digest this news. So if you cannot reach us by phone, we hope you will understand.

Love,
Todd
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Everyone,

Thank you so much for your support and prayers. We are grateful for the love and support in your words.

Love,
The Hamblin's