Friday, September 16, 2011

Claire's surgery

On Monday 12 September 2011, Claire went in for surgery on her neck for a brachial cleft cyst that she was born with.  When we first saw the cyst on her neck it looked like a skin tag, small and easily removed and taken care of, but it ended up being the cause of a long stay in the NICU when she was born.  After six days in the Twin Falls NICU she was life flighted to Boise St. Lukes hospital due to the "skin tag" on her neck and some continued breathing difficulties that they were afraid may be connected considering the tag was directly on the mid-line of her neck. Fortunately for us, after continuous prayers, a blessing by her father, and great medical care (ultrasound, MRI, scope...) we discovered there was no connection between the two and Claire was rapidly recovering.  10 days later she was able to come home with us on 7 July 2011. ( funny thing is I always predicted that was the day I would be taking my babies home... it just came a little different than I expected!) We were happy to have them both home and Claire successfully underwent surgery and has been a very happy baby.
Checking in bright and early at the hospital and feeding her some pedialyte since she can no longer food, only clear liquids.
Claire in her hospital gown





Claire after her surgery with stitches and steri-strips on her neck.  She did really well and only cried, no screamed out of hunger.  Nevertheless I fed her the moment we were reunited and she was a happy girl again!
Claire loves her daddy and she slept for several hours after the surgery all snuggled up in his arms.

We are so grateful everything went so well.  I only had one little scare about 24 hours after the surgery when Claire began bleeding.  the front of her clothes were soaked.  I was not comfortable with it so we took her in and we got a bandage placed over the stitches and steri-strips.  The extra pressure stopped the bleeding and I was so proud of her, she has been such a happy girl through it all!  But seeing that blood sure did panic her mother.

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