After reading the last newsletter I felt compelled to write to you. My daughter, Zoe, had her bone graft operation in August. Zoe is 8 years old & young to have the op but the teeth were coming down so there was no waiting. Two weeks before the date Zoe had mouth impressions done so a plate could be made for post op. At the time I was really concerned for Zoe, this being the first op where she was old enough to know what was going on. I needn’t have worried.

We had a pre-op appointment the day before when everything was explained to us by one of Dr Catt’s registrars. Zoe wasn’t allowed anything to eat after 3am, so I made a trip to McDonalds at 10pm so it wouldn’t be such a long wait. We were admitted at 7am & up in the ward early. We met the anaesthetist & they put the magic numbing cream on her hands. Zoe was first to go down to theatre, we walked down together. It was about 8am. I handed her over in theatre then went away for a couple of hours.

I came back to the ward & waited beside Zoe’s bed. After only 5 mins they brought Zoe back from recovery, a little groggy but she looked remarkably well. I wiped the blood away from her mouth & after half an hour she wanted her colouring-in book. She was in control of her own pain relief where she pressed a button to give a dose of morphine. She only needed it once or twice but it made her sick. She had a little drain inserted in her hip & a drip in her hand. She vomited a little blood but she was fine.

She was eager to play the Nintendo & was very hungry. A nurse gave her some spaghetti at tea time. Afterwards she wanted to see the Ekka lights, her hip was too sore to walk to the playroom, so we took a wheelchair & toddled off with the drip & drugs in tow. This was Wednesday, she slept really well that night. I was on a stretcher beside Zoe, I didn’t get much sleep at all.

Thursday morning brought out the swelling on her face but she really was amazing. When the doctor came to have a look at her, he said she could eat lunch that day. (We didn’t tell him about the spaghetti the night before.) They took the pain relief & the drain off.

Zoe spent the day playing cards, painting pictures, reading, watching videos & playing video games. I stayed with her except when I had to get something to eat. There is a shower & kitchen available for parents use. Santa & his helpers came that night with presents for all! It was only August! I slept beside Zoe again, a much quieter night thankfully.

Friday morning the drip came out. When the doctor came to see her, he said we could go home. I was surprised as we’d only been in for two days. Believe it or not Zoe went to school on Monday. Her hip was a little tender so there was no running around for a week, but we really had to keep reminding her. She has a scar about 2 inches long. She went back for a check-up after 2 weeks. All was well. After a month we had a new plate made. Happily we don’t have to go back till next year. The six hour trips to Brisbane every six weeks were a bit of a drain on our energy.

Anyway, I have enclosed a photo of Zoe after the op. You can see the drain on her hip, a drip in her arm & the pain relief control beside her. She was listening to a Goosebumps tape!!

Regards,