October brought a new semester of CFA.
What resting looks like some times...
Victoria had some tooth issues that needed to be addressed. She had an “extra” tooth that needed removal, she had no enamel in her top four front teeth and there was little hope that they could be saved. It was a long process to get all the answers and feel like we were making the most well informed decision that would prove the best for her. I mean, who wants their two year old to go under general anesthesia if it could be avoided. I talked to the hospital. I talked to our Pediatrician. I talked to the hygienist at the Pediatric Dentist's office, and finally, the Pediatric Dentist got on the phone with me and walked me through all the options.
Because of her age, the only way the dentist could work confidently and really take her time to assess each piece was under general anesthesia. So off to Watertown we went, to the hospital, to get her through the procedure.
She was scared at first.
I remember being between 5-6 years old when I needed my tonsils taken out. The worst was when I was crying because I didn’t understand why they were taking me away from my parents. I have the "movie-scene" image of being held by a nurse and seeing my parents standing at the end of the hallway while I was carried by the nurse through the infamous double doors leading to the OR. It was very upsetting! I had no idea what was coming, if it would hurt, when my parents would be back with me, etc. So, I was concerned about this experience for Victoria, who although really young, seems to have a very good grasp on what goes on around her.
I couldn't have been better reassured once we got into pre-surgery prep. They first won her over with a stuffed animal. Then they brought in this car/stroller and told her that this was going to be her ride for later. They left her for her to play in. You can see by the previous picture and the next one the evident change in her countenance! They slowly introduced her to everything that they would do while she was conscious. The nurse even practiced breathing through the mask they would use before sedating her. So when the time came for her to leave, she happily drove away in her little pink car!
The car that would take her to the OR.
Post-op wasn't such a happy time. For such a willful and independent child, she wanted to do everything on her own, but her body hadn't fully woken up and wasn't responding to her. She couldn't even hold her head up.
Once they took her off the IV she was much relaxed and able to rest peacefully. She slept the entire way home, only waking up a couple of miles before we got home.
Once home, she was back to being her happy little self. Much to our delight, the doctor was able to repair three of the pieces. She walked out of the procedure with three porcelain veneers in front, three unexpected silver caps, and only two extractions.
Back to life, school times look a lot like this with -basically- three children on me.
Hallelujah party: We kept it simple this year! Emoji family for you!
