Ravioli, Signs of Healing, and Just Pushing to Get Through

    

    Madeline was feisty and sassy and hilarious as they prepped her for surgery several hours prior. Some familiar friends were part of the pre-op team; we also met a few new ones. It was a joy to see Olivia again (Child and Family Life Specialist) who graciously watched Madeline's TikTok vids. We did need to teach Olivia about Kirk Cousins. 

    The anesthesiologist was a wise soul, and she entered the room with a tender and honest spirit. She understood Madeline and was able to communicate complicated procedural things in Madeline's language. She knew about. Madeline’s difficult recovery from January and clearly made plans to make this experience better. She was also not afraid to say, "I don't know, but I will find out." 

    Dr. Troup (Pediatric Neurosurgeon) entered the room around 9:10am and joyfully greeted us in his tie-dye lab coat and Crocs. She asked him her normal battery of questions. She was rightly anxious about the procedure, the recovery, and the expected outcomes. He finally said, "If you are eating tomorrow, I will personally bring you Cook Out Hush Puppies and a Shake. [Cook Out is where you go at 22 years old at 2am after drinking cheap beer all day. In other words, you shouldn't ever need to go there. BUT we love it anyway!] 

We said goodbye through tears and fear; Madeline woke up four hours later alert and strong. 

             Madeline entered surgery a few minutes after 10am. We received multiple texts from the medical team throughout the procedure. The nurse texted at 1:45pm to let us know that the surgery was complete and Madeline had entered the recovery room. The hours were long, and once we knew she was in recovery, Lindsay and I released the hours-long tension from our neck and shoulders. A few minutes later Dr. Troup met us in the waiting room. 

            He had a jar and a piece of paper in his hand. He asked if I had a pen. I handed him the pen and he asked me to sign the paper. It was a medical release form for the Bovine pericardium. Before I explain, let it be known that this was the first request of this kind Dr. Troup has ever received.

            Dr. Troupe placed a DuraPatch in Madeline's skull during the initial surgery in January. The second surgery required removing/editing the DuraPatch to allow the insertion of a larger one. Madeline wanted the removed section. She has been talking about this ever since she realized she was going to have a second surgery.

            When Dr. Troup entered the pre-op room, Madeline was eager to make the request. She looked at Dr. Troup and asked, "Can I ask you a question?" The interrogation-warning was not enough. He was clearly not prepared for what followed even though he consented to her additional line of questioning. Madeline continued, "Can I keep the cow part that you remove today? You know - put it in a jar with some goop and liquid." Dr. Troup and Madeline have a special bond, so his desire to say yes was visible in his eyes, but his rational side paused, "Um….Yes, well, let me look into this. I may need to call Materials to see if this is possible." [Who knew there was an office to entertain such requests].

 

Needless to say we have now cow-heart membrane to place on our mantel. 

            Dr. Troupe walked us to PACU where Nurse Emily was attending to Madeline's recovery. Madeline begged us to video her waking up (I tried this last time but it was more overwhelming than we imagined so I quickly jettisoned her wishes). This time was a bit more gentle, and Madeline was comical. There are several comedic moments on film that will never be released to the public. She was outrageous. It warmed our hearts that she woke up so well and with a playful spirit. She sat up in the recovery room and this was more movement than we experienced from her in several days back in January. 

    Madeline requested Chef-Boy-R-Dee Ravioli as her first meal a few days ago. She asked for it again during her recovery in the PACU. I was hoping the anesthesia would have removed the craving, but alas. We settled in the PICU around 3:30, and she made the request, again, for Ravioli. I overcame my dry heaves and drove to CVS for A CAN OF RAVIOI. We warmed the contents in a Styrofoam bowl and she ate the entire can. Of all the healing stories I have heard, Ravioli has never been part of the narratives.

            Madeline remained talkative, strong, and determined yesterday. We are, again, meeting old friends and new in PICU. Josh - the original ICU nurse in January is on vacation. Madeline is aghast that he did not re-arrange his schedule for her. She is convinced he is on vacation somewhere cold, like New Hampshire. She thinks he deserves to be cold rather than on a beach somewhere. The benefit is that we have Jordon and Angie as our nurses in PICU. Jordon is our day nurse; she is a perfect mixture of kind and firm. Jordon even joined Madeline's request to learn a TikTok dance. She is exactly who Madeline needs. The PICU Doc is a resident who attended Michigan State. God is good to us in the most mundane ways.

            We enter Day 1, in post-surgery terms, this morning. I stayed overnight since Lindsay took the first night in January. We didn’t sleep much, but the short-night meant good conversation. Madeline awoke at 4:15am asking for Chick-Fil-A, a wheelchair ride, a show, and the removal of her IVs. She also asked for her phone. She received 60% of her requests, which I consider a win. Anything less than 100% is not in the “win” category for her. She has enjoyed Chick-Fil-A, Jessie (thanks Disney +), and a wheelchair ride. Just a few minutes ago, we allowed her to read her phone messages and receive the love from so many of you. Thank you!

 

One More Story: Just Trying To Push Through

 

            Our pediatric neuro team has three amazing docs, and one of the docs is in the hospital with her 6 yo daughter. She stopped by our room on rounds yesterday evening and shared the news. Madeline was very concerned about her doctor’s daughter. Madeline asked a series of questions about the little girl’s wellbeing. We learned that the little girl also received a feeding tube and was pretty upset about it. I could feel Madeline rise in solidarity.

            Madeline invited our doctor’s daughter to visit us in our room, and at 9:30pm (or so), our doctor and her daughter made a visit. This was a special time. The little girl was delightful, and Madeline was interested. Madeline’s maturity to put this little girl’s health concerns above her own was a gift to witness. We are so proud of Madeline.

            We asked the little girl if she was in 1^st or 2^nd grade, and her response was outrageous. She said, “No, I am just trying to push through Kindergarten!”

            We are all “just trying to push through,” and the little ones among us are our signs of hope. Madeline woke up four hours after surgery, and each minute turns towards healing. May it continue for Madeline, for the little girl, and for all the kids at Greenville Memorial Hospital today.