Post-Op

I am very happy to report that the surgery is over and went well!!  Thanks to everyone's prayers and the skilled docs and nurses.  Kaelyn was in surgery for about 5 1/2 hours today.  They removed the tumor without any problems, and the surgeon reported it to be about the size of a canteloupe, which was a bit larger than we expected.  It's hard to imagine something that large in the abdomen of an almost 3 year-old.  She is such a trooper though.  The doctors (and we) have been pleasantly surprised how well she has taken everything.  They had a room prepared for her in the pediatric ICU, but she has done well enough to not have to stay there.  Also, they said she was smiling when she woke up from surgery.  I surely wouldn't be smiling!  She has been asleep for the most part of the 2 hours we have been with her, which I am happy about.  I don't want her to be in pain, which I'm sure is probably inevitable but I am fine without for as long as possible!

I just love this girl.  I know I've said it before, but this whole experience has not felt as sad as I would have imagined it to be.  I mean, I do not like to see her in pain, of course, and I do not look forward to the chemotherapy and other uncomfortable treatments and side effects she will have to go through, but really it has just opened my eyes to how very blessed we are to have Kaelyn, that she is still in good health, that we get to keep her here with us, and also the eternal perspective the gospel gives that no matter what happens, her body will be restored and we will always be together.  This has also helped me to understand faith so much more, and to feel of it's power.  Kaelyn has inspired me to have this faith, as I know how much the Lord loves and cares for her.  I will be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have my little family unit and the trials that have brought us closer together thus far.

Isn't she cute though?!