Ava's Surgery!

I'm so pleased to report that Ava's surgery was successful! Wow, where to start? We arrived at the hospital at 6am for pre-anaesthetic assessment. Ava was changed into little scrubs, we said our good-byes and she was whisked off to the OR. The surgery lasted about 5 hours and then another 2 hours for recovery. The surgeon was able to make full insertion of the electrodes and they all tested perfectly. Soon after Ava was moved to her room she started acting like her old self smiling and playing with her toys. She had a really good appetite too. The pressure bandage was soaking up a lot of drainage and blood from the incisions and leaked down her neck but I was told it really looked worse than it was and it was a normal amount of blood. She was put on an antibiotic and given tylenol with coedine. It was a long night of on and off sleeping. She developed a fever which, again, I was told was normal and was quickly controlled with tylenol. This morning, I awoke to find that she had removed her pressure bandage herself and was playing with it in her crib! So much for the dramatic unwrapping of the bandages. She didn't have much of an appetite this morning and has been mostly sleeping since we got home.

The next step is returning to the hospital in one week to have the steri-strips removed. Then, in another two weeks we will get her external equipment along with instructions on how it all works, how to troubleshoot, etc. It is highly sophisticated technology. Then, approximately 3-4 weeks post-op, they will activate her implants and she will hear for the very first time. I do not have an activation date as of yet but hopefully find out that date next week!

I have posted a slide-show of the surgery day - which you can view here. Enjoy!