It's hard to believe that Grace and I ACTUALLY leave tomorrow for Cincinnati Children's Hospital! Now that it's here, there a little less excitement, and a little more "holy cow, how do I pack to entertain a 3 year old for almost a week?!" :) Our stay will be Sunday through Thursday- an extra day was added on for a video swallow study. On Monday Grace will be undergoing a scope (probably the hardest test for her) to watch her swallowing. Tuesday is a Hi-Res Chest CT Scan under anesthesia, Wednesday is a Bronchoscopy under anesthesia again, and the Video Swallow Study is Thursday. Then, theoretically, we drive home. My biggest hope is that te doctors are convinced she is in immediate need of the reinnervation surgery, and just have us stay longer this week! There will be some financial and logistical issues if that happens, but it would be so much better than going back in the middle of winter!
Realistically, it's a long shot for the doctors to do the surgery next week, but that's what we're hoping for! Grace is handling the trip well so far-we've spent a lot of time talking about it, and right now, she's pretty excited about getting to jump on a bed in our hotel :) She's such a little trooper and an easy patient-her emotions usually are expressed after a hospital visit through potty accidents, temper tantrums, separation anxiety, etc. So Greg and I are trying to prepare ourselves for however she reacts after this visit.
As of today, I am not feeling very ready for this trip. I've been battling a cold all week and just cannot get rid of it, I was given a steroid injection in my knee yesterday and am having some side effects from that; all around just not feeling as healthy and strong as I normally do! I've never left Chloe for this long, and am really trying just not to think about it because it might kill me...Greg will be home with her the whole time, though, so they will have a great Daddy/Coco time :)
We're renting a car and driving to Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon with the largest suitcase on the planet, cans of Pediasure, some snacks, a portable DVD player, movies, stickers, art projects, books, toys, Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals, and a Starbucks app on my phone to ensure that I am NEVER without caffeine :)
I'm specifically asking for prayer that I would be healthy and without physical pain as of tomorrow so that I can take care of Grace 100%. For us to travel safely (I haven't driven that far by myself since Greg and I moved from L.A. to Sacramento in 2005!), for a complete Presence of Jesus for Grace in every procedure, wisdom for the doctors, and that all odds would be defied by them doing the actual vocal cord surgery while we are there this week! Thank you for all prayers and support-will probably just be posting updates through Facebook since I might throw my phone against a wall if I try to type a blog while battling spellcheck on my iPhone :)
