It’s been ages since I wrote an update and we’ve had an incredibly busy past six months! While there is a great deal to update on all that, today I will keep it to the latest, which is kid number three has now officially had a surgery. We made it to age eight and a half before Reagan succumbed to the need for ear tubes, and at the same time as a tonsillectomy and adenoid removal.

She was nervous for the procedure, and luckily she was the first patient of the day so not a lot of stress post wake up. We arrived at the doctor at the crack of dawn (6:15!) and she was all smiles, excited it was her turn for the experience, and Craig stayed home and got the other two up and off to school. Reagan was too jittery to read her book in the waiting room, so she chatted and snuggled with her pandas, excited to be out of the house while wearing pajamas!

Down in pre-op she noted the hospital gown was NOT warm, instantly disliked the hospital grippy socks and removed them, and asked for a second hair net for Panda to match. Her eighteen months older than the last kiddo surgery for Emerie, the context is so different. For example, the anesthesiologist asked her directly if she had questions, and she asked him to explain how the medicine makes her body go to sleep. After that explanation they traded a couple of jokes.

We are now at the age where she is old enough for an IV while awake. In the past the other two received the poke once they were already unconscious. While Reagan really didn’t like it, she was very brave and sat perfectly still for the nurse, who found the vein first try. After getting all taped up, it was time for the wheelchair ride to the OR. This is always the highlight of the experience, for all three kiddos, and she excitedly climbed on with both pandas and her panda blanket in tow. She was all smiles as she disappeared into the operating room and I went back to the waiting room.

According to her report to Harper and Emerie later that day, she went into another room that had REALLY COOL machines everywhere. And then she want to sleep! Sounds like a pretty accurate depiction, right? They also allowed both stuffed pandas to join her for the entire time, which definitely eased her nerves.

Within an hour she was done and waking up. I’m not sure if it’s the older age or just her general demeanor, but she definitely came out of the anesthesia calmly and without any complaints, other than some dizziness. Like her sisters before her, the purple popsicle helped and within 30 minutes we were dressed and headed home to recover. I’m thankful we pushed for the procedure- the doctor noted her inflamed/enlarged tonsils were also full of tonsil stones, solidifying the past few months of complaints about a sore throat. The ear tubes were also needed, as in addition to the fluid we knew about in her ears, she also had some mucus contributing to her fuzzy hearing.

I can’t help but compare the three, and find it interesting that Emerie didn’t have stones but Reagan did. That makes me wonder which way Harper will trend. Overall the entire procedure was done by mid morning, and Reagan relaxed the rest of the day, already asking for food by the time she arrived home. Day two and I’m unsure she remembers she had surgery yesterday; other than minor complaints, she’s already working on her homeworking, painting a paint by numbers, and helped me make zucchini bread (because it’s soft and she can eat it!).

Thanks to all for the prayers yesterday. Several girls in their class sent notes home with her sisters that were very sweet, and her sisters ensured she was okay. We will be back to normal in no time!

❤