January 17

Elsie came through her PDA ligation surgery today to repair her heart murmur with flying colors. Clayton and his dad were able to give her a priesthood blessing last night. I wasn't feeling terribly worried until this morning, when the surgeon called to get my official consent to operate. He told me that the biggest risk was the chance of her blood vessel tearing, which could cause her to bleed to death very quickly. He said that the vein was extremely delicate, almost like wet tissue paper, and that with her body being so small, if the vein tore then she could die within two heartbeats. What am I supposed to say to that?? "Oh sure, that sounds great, go right ahead, just try and be careful." Ugh. Doctors.

So after that bombshell, I was pretty scared and cried most of the way to the hospital, sure that I would never see my little girl alive and well. But, lo and behold, before I even got to the hospital parking lot, the doctor called me again and said that they were already done, and that Elsie was fine. I love doctors!

The operation was performed through a small incision on her left side. They spread her ribs apart, moved her left lung out of the way, and somehow reached the vein and clamped it shut. Her blood pressure is a little low, so they are giving her medication to bring it back up, and she is also receiving pain medication to allow her to rest and heal without being in pain.

Thank you for your many prayers, kind words, and positive thoughts. We couldn't do it without you!

Recovering after surgery. The bruises on her face and head are mostly gone.