Madilyn's 1st Surgery

Madilyn has had an umbilical hernia since birth.  An umbilical hernia happens when intestine, fat, or fluid pushes through a weak spot or hole in your baby’s stomach muscles. This causes a bulge near or in the belly button.  The hernia usually isn't painful or dangerous, and it often closes on its own without treatment. Madi's hernia just made her belly button look like a giant "outie" and often grew after she ate or cried. 

At every well child appointment with her pediatrician, we would discuss whether her hernia was closing on its own.  Typically, this usually happens in toddlers by age three or four.  Sadly, Madi's hernia never seem to show signs that it would close on its own.  So, at Madilyn's three year old visit, Dr. Shepherd recommended that we should get a second opinion from a pediatric surgeon.  She referred us to Dr. Egan at Phoenix Children's Hospital.  Here are some photos from our consultation visit with him this past August.

 Playing on Daddy's phone, while we waited to see Dr. Egan.

 Practicing her ballet poses

As expected Dr. Egan confirmed that Madilyn needed surgery to correct her hernia.  However, as soon as he said that Madi would not be able to swim for two weeks after the surgery, we all agreed that maybe we should wait until after swim season to schedule her surgery.  Luckily, it was a procedure that could wait another couple of months to perform.  We figured October would be perfect, but due to some scheduling conflicts, the final date selected was November 5th.

The big day arrived and Madilyn's outpatient surgery was scheduled for 12:30pm.  We followed all the pre-operation procedures.  We gave the kids a bath the night before to assist with post-operation infections.  Madilyn did not have anything to drink or eat after 9:30am.  As the clock approached 11am, we hopped in the car and headed to Phoenix Children's Hospital.  On our way, we were informed by the surgeon's office that the surgery had been delayed an hour.  Now, what to do with a starving toddler ... take her clothes shopping.  It was a good distraction for all of us. 

 

We arrived at PCH at 12:30pm.  Immediately upon arrival, the staff presented Madi with a teddy bear.  What a cute surprise!  After checking in, paperwork and stuff, we were taken back to the pre-op room.  Madi was in such good spirits.  Up until this point, she only had one minor "freak out" as we were leaving the house to head to the hospital which was pacified by having her be a doctor too.  Doc McMadi was going to hospital for surgery.  In the pre-op room, she even allowed me to take some photos of her where she actually smiled.  Her disposition really helped her Mom stay pretty calm as well.  After talking with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, the surgical staff informed me they were ready to take Madilyn back to hear a "princess story" before her naptime.  Madi was really brave, but as soon as she figured out that this is when Mommy would have to leave her, she had a complete meltdown.  It just broke my heart as they took her kicking and screaming back to the operation room.  As she left the room, I could hear her cry out for her "Mommy".  Thank goodness this is the first surgery she has ever had to have.  My heart could not deal with this on a consistent basis. 

 

Madi with her new teddy bear

Feeling comfortable in the waiting room

In the pre-op room

 

 The smiley face the surgeon decorated her belly with where the incision would be made

 

Madilyn went into surgery at about 1:30pm.  And at about 2:05pm, Dr. Egan arrived out in the waiting room to report on the results of the surgery.  I couldn't believe how fast the surgery went!  Apparently Madi's hernia was pretty small and she didn't require too many stitches internally.  He said that she did great during the surgery and was very pleased with the entire operation.  We then just needed to wait for Madilyn to wake up in the post-op room.  After a short while, we were called back to the recovery room.  Madilyn woke up from the anesthesia really well -- no tears, no fits, to vomiting.  What a relief!  She was such a trooper.  In the recovery room, she enjoyed a cherry popsicle and some apple juice.  With that, we were discharged from the hospital and were on our way home by 3:15pm.  I am so proud of my little princess.  She made this experience somewhat pleasurable and non-eventful.

Now we just need to try to keep our toddler from being *too* active for the next two weeks.  Wish us luck!

How I found Madi in the recovery room...

On our way home.  She still looks dazed.

Madi showing off her bandage