Our little Margaret was due for surgery Thursday, July 10th. Mama and baby spent the night in the ward in preparation and Thursday we all spent 8 hours sitting in the operating theatre waiting to be called for surgery.
On the way to the hospital I thought about how excited I was for the surgery to be completed so we could return to Sandema. And immediately I thought: "This isn't good. Something isn't right." I ignored this thought, and ignored Katie's comment that echoed my sentiments when she said she had a bad feeling. Instead I sat expectantly for 8 hours while Lydia tried to keep little, hungry, Margaret occupied.
On the way to the hospital I thought about how excited I was for the surgery to be completed so we could return to Sandema. And immediately I thought: "This isn't good. Something isn't right." I ignored this thought, and ignored Katie's comment that echoed my sentiments when she said she had a bad feeling. Instead I sat expectantly for 8 hours while Lydia tried to keep little, hungry, Margaret occupied.
Finally we were called to the operating theatre doors, and immediately our hearts sunk. Both surgeons were standing at the entrance waiting to talk to us. We knew already the last surgery had taken much too long, and seeing the surgeons at this stage wasn't normal. We then discovered the oxygen machines were malfunctioning and they had run into serious issues in the past surgery (fortunately all of them overcome & the baby was fine). So as to not take any risks the surgeons chose to postpone Margaret's surgery until the first operating time on Monday morning.
Disappointment. Gratitude. Relief. Frustration. We went through a series of emotions in the few split seconds it took to thank the surgeons for putting Margaret's safety first, and for once again accommodating us by offering us the best possible surgery time. While waiting for discharge papers (they offered to keep her on the ward but we wanted mom & baby to spend as much time out of the hospital as possible) the head of the unit came by to check in on us and apologize for the delay in Margaret's care. There's no doubt we were well taken care of.
So we left the hospital and resigned ourselves to yet another delay in our return to Sandema. This process involved, but was not limited to, a purchase of ice cream for everyone and some long conversations.
Sunday (July14th) we returned to KATH and had Lydia and Margaret readmitted to the hospital. This morning (July 15th) we returned to the hospital early and settled in for another wait. Lydia cared for the hungry & tired patient, while we waited expectanty. We greeted the surgeons as they made their way onto the ward. And after a few delays we stood with Lydia as she surrendered Margaret to the surgery team and settled in for the wait. A few hours later we stood beside Lydia as the nurses surrendered a groggy, but beautiful, bundled baby.
I'll admit my first reaction was: "That's not Margaret! Where's 'our' baby?". And then I felt silly as it clicked and I just stared in awe at the wonder of her now complete lip.
Mom & baby are resting at the hospital, and we'll check on them again in the morning. I love that I get to be a part of this…
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