Vici came out

Vici came out to tell me Jenna was waking up slightly. I'm assuming Dr. Atwood sent her out since he knew I was nervous. She said Jenna's blood pressure did get pretty low a couple of times but otherwise she did good. She said they had a laugh in the OR when they rolled Jenna for the first time. She said they are used to 'much larger people.' There are a lot of people popping by so I'll be more in depth later.

Met with Atwood

Dr. Atwood met me in the Consultation Room and said Jenna was almost to recovery. He said she did well and was stable throughout the operation. She lost very little blood in his part so he doesn't think she'll need any blood. She thinks the end result is going to be 'fantastic.' He is such a remarkable man and was very understanding when I got emotional.

Anyways I'll let you know when she gets to her room.

Starting the front

I think it took a little longer than anticipated in getting the blood and stuff stable. They have just started the actual procedures on the front. They went ahead and moved her to her hospital bed so she won't have to transition when they get to her room.

I asked about her vitals and she said everything was fine. Her blood loss has been about normal so they haven't had to give her any blood yet. Keep praying for things to keep going smoothly especially the whole coming out of anesthesia thing.

From table waiting to Salvation Army guy

First I felt like I was waiting for a table, but now I feel like the Salvation Army guy asking for donations. Last night I had the idea for Jenna to use some of the Susan G. Komen scrapbook paper to do a visitor page like she did when Noah was born. Then I had the idea to make a sign to make sure people knew to sign in (and my mother says I don't learn from my mistakes). Then I had the idea to have people donate money to the Susan G. Komen foundation when they come to visit. So all of that grew into making signs last night, going to the store and getting a clear jug, and then putting it all together. So here's my perch in the corner with all the necessities: Dr. Pepper, Blue Diamond Almonds, the visitor sheet, and the donation bucket. Oops almost forgot my restaurant pager.
Chad in corner

Atwood about to start

Dr. Atwood's nurse just came out and said they about to truly start now. They started earlier, but they can't really start until the bleeding from the previous surgery stops and gets cleaned up. Vici (veecee), Dr. Atwood's nurse said everything looks fine so far and they'll let me know more in a couple of hours. She kind of squashed my theory that Jenna will be through early. She thinks they are right on track for our original time table.

Big winner

Jenna's friend from work, Bev, just came by and dropped off the gift Jenna won at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Springdale Chamber of Commerce puts on a breakfast for Springdale School District employees. Jenna won a $100 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and a nice book bag from there. Kind of nice to have $100 to spend on reading when you're about to spend a couple of on your back.

And they're off...

Jenna's back in the OR. We got here at 6 and went through the whole pre-op routine of IVs, antibiotics, and her 6-pack (what the anesthesiologist referred to her 'relaxing' medication). The bonus was the cool lingerie she got from the pre-op nurse. Full leg stockings (support hose) and garters (air pump valves). The lingerie is to prevent embolism during everything.

On a serious note, I feel so grateful for the great team of doctors and nurses Jenna's with right now. I know I don't know them away from this environment but when you are with Drs. Cross and Atwood you can see the understanding and you can really feel the compassion coming from them. I know that God has put Jenna on a path to great things and I know He put these gentlemen on this path with us for a reason.

Tomorrow's the big day

As most of you know tomorrow is Jenna's surgery. We have to be there at 6AM and the surgery should be over around 5-530PM. I'm going to post news here as the day goes on and the news is filtered to me. Of course when she gets to her room there may be a big pause in posts while we get her settled in. The Dr. would like visitations to be limited within the first 24 hours but after that please come to see Jenna and lift her spirits. I'm forwarding all of our phones to my cell phone for the next several days so if I don't answer just leave me a message and I'll try to get back as quick as I can.

I'll do my best to keep you all informed because I know how blessed my wife is to have so many people who love her. Thank you all for your support yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

All my love,
Chad

Still little boy

Noah skipped his morning nap so he was on fumes when we left church. As we were leaving I pointed at a little boy about Noah's age who was laying with his head on his mother's shoulder on their way to their car. I told Noah, "Why aren't you ever still like that so your Momma and Daddy can hold you.

Of course he fell asleep in the car from the church to Sam's (about 2 miles) so we decided to lay him out on his buggy cover in the shopping cart. Well when I picked him up he stirred a little but the sun convinced him to keep his eyes closed. I held him like a baby for a few minutes to let him get back to sleep. Then instead of putting him in the buggy I put his head on my shoulder like other parents get to hold their kid. What do you know, he didn't wake up. I walked into Sam's and held him for as long as I could before my arm went to sleep. Then I put him in the cart and he slept the whole time. On our way out we ran into someone in Jenna's school and we stayed in one place for too long and he woke up.

I told him that he may not remember it but he let Daddy hold him and he liked it a lot. Next time he'll have to be awake for it and then fall asleep with me holding him. What a concept :P