2nd stage Ear Surgery

Well, the alarm went off early this morning and we all got a good nights sleep to prepare for the long day ahead of us. Graci woke up smiling and ready to put behind her, yet another surgery that would have her closer to her "New Ear".

We arrived at the Surgical Center at 6:30 am with gear in hand and angels watching over us. Graci and I had on our matching monogrammed t-shirts on so we could feel connected to one another. The surgery that Graci was having was 2nd stage Earlobe Transposition. Dr. Brent was going to reposition Graci's earlobe by releasing the earlobe surgically, moving it lower and placing it in the correct position. Many families that we had talked to stated that 2nd stage was a breeze. However, anytime your child is having surgery it tends to be difficult, regarding how much of a breeze the surgery is. It wasn't until Graci crawled up in the bed with those lovely hospital PJ's and looked at her Daddy with huge alligator tears that I lost it. For that split second, she was actually scared and reality had hit that she was going to be taking away from her family for three hours to have surgery. After a couple of rubs on the arm, hugs around the neck, kisses on the cheek and the liquid Valium...she was fine. She knew that we would anxiously be waiting for her in the waiting room waiting for Dr. Brent to come through those double doors.

While waiting in the lobby I was able to relax with coffee and doughnuts. I completed my Children's Book, "An Ear for Graci". I also enjoyed watching Griffin color picture for his sweet sister while she was in the operating room. They certainly share a unique bond of love and friendship. The two of them share respect and joy for each other. Griffin is so happy and excited for his sister and the journey she is experiencing. Griffin sees his sister as a superhero and a forever friend. She truly is his best friend. I know one day they will grow old; but, I hope they will always have that close relationship.

It was that time when Dr. Brent came through those double doors smiling from "ear to ear" as he always does with camera in hand. He explained that surgery went well and Graci was once again a real trooper. She showed us pictures of what was now a ear with an earlope. It was phenomenal the work he had done in less then 3 hours. He was happy and so were we.

Graci woke up in recovery grumpy and fussy but her first words were, "I want to go home". Once the nurse heard that she knew Graci was feeling fine and much eager to get out of recovery. We changed her clothes and got her already to leave. She was such a trooper and a brave girl....so eager to leave just hours after having ear reconstruction. She is truly an amazing little girl. We headed to Walgreen's to get some goodies and things that would make her happy for the day. We had to get stickers to cover that lovely head piece that I think she had forgotten she was going to have. Once we entered in the apartment she immediately ran to the mirror to look at herself and stated assembling stickers on the bandage and then slowly drifted off the sleep watching Hannah Montana.

We are truly indebted to the numerous of people all over the US for making this dream come true for Graci. We have certainly reached yet another milestone and we are half way there. A special thanks to friends and family, thank you once again for all your prayers, love and support during this second phase of our journey. As you know the journey doesn't end here because we return to this wonderful state of California again in February for 3rd stage......until we meet again!