More Blessings from Children's Mercy

My sister, Brandy, sent a beautiful notebook to Mallory for her hospital stay. The notebook is what Mallory chose to take back to surgery with her. As I was unpacking this evening, I noticed that several hospital staff members wrote messages to Mallory in her notebook.

Here are some excerpts from the notebook-

You are such a pleasant little girl and one of the best patients I have ever had the pleasure of taking care of.

You made me smile today because you were so happy and excited to stay with us for two days.

And this one is my absolute favorite!

Dear Mallory,
You are gorgeous and I am fortunate to be involved in your care! Thank you for putting up with the surgery! Hope you recover quickly!

Love- Vinny Singhal, M.D.
(Mallory's surgeon)


On a side note, we stopped at a Wendy's on the way home to get Mallory a milkshake. One of the employees was so tickled with Mallory that she gave her a Wendy's visor. It really brings things to perspective, that even on some of our worst days, a moment like that reminds us of what an inspiration our little girl is.

Thank you, Ronald McDonald!

We had the pleasure of staying at the Ronald McDonald House again for Mallory's Surgery. The kindness, hospitality, comfortable bed, warm shower, and abundance of food is what makes this place such a blessing for those with famlily members that are ill. Words cannot express our appreciation- it was a comfort 9 years ago and again this year.

We brought home several banks for pop tabs. The proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. Let me know if your interested in saving pop tabs. I will take care of sending them off.

We're HOME!

Mallory got to come home today after lunch. She is still sore and is not fond of the liquid diet. We are so excited to have her tonsils out and the sphincter pharyngoplasty done. Todd swears that she is allready making some sounds that were not as clear as before.

Mallory finally got her wish of riding through the hospital in a wheelchair.

Surgery- Day Three

Last night was better. Sleep was good. I actually had the nurse hold Mallory's 3 a.m. med because she was sleeping so good. She awoke at 4:30 a.m. took her meds and went back to sleep. We both rolled out of bed at 7:30 a.m. Mallory is drinking fairly well. She fights us initially, but gives in and drinks what is offered to her. This full liquid diet is going to be tough over the next week.

We've been passing the time with pipe cleaners and beads that Todd bought for her. She has been making bracelets for all of the staff.

We are now awaiting Dr. Singhal's team to come and assess Mallory. We are hoping that they will let us head home after lunch.

Recovery.

Recuperating in the ICU.

Comfort from Dad.

Staying busy with the laptop, thanks to the wireless internet.

When I grow up.....

I want to be a nurse. In surgery. That way I can wear a cool hat and mask every day.

Hanging out before the surgeon comes to see me. And anesthesia. And the surgery nurse.

Gotta love a hospital bracelet. Make that two. Check out the cool red socks!





You mean I have to walk down the hall? The nurses made comment several times at how happy Mallory was. She was the first patient to come through their doors and skip her way to surgery. My girl definately knows how to make an impression. The attending doctor in the PICU remembered us from Mallory's heart surgeries in 2000.

Surgery- Day Two

Well, we moved to the regular floor this morning. Mallory's starting to drink some fluids (milk, apple juice, broth). She's not real fond of the broth, but will drink it if we ask her to. The nurses are giving her pain meds every 4 hours. Mallory has an extremely high pain tolerance and we determined last night that we were not staying on top of it. Poor girl! She's been a little demanding which means she must be feeling a little better. I forgot her Jon & Kate + Eight video, so Todd has left on a mission to find one. The surgeon was in before lunch and says if all goes well tonight, then Mallory will be dismissed tomorrow.