Difficult News in Boston

Please keep our family in your prayers. Audrey has a rare complication called a recurrent fistula (a new tube that has grown connecting her esophagus to her airways), and will need major surgery very soon in Boston, basically the exact surgery we did 2 years ago that was followed by 7 months of complications. I am stunned and heartbroken, but thankful for her wonderful doctors and nurses, and for the support of family and friends.

This morning after being a total sweetheart in our crack of dawn pre-op, she woke up from anesthesia screaming in pain from the IV in her arm that had needed to be placed by ultrasound--exactly the same spot they tried to give me an IV when I was giving birth to her, for those who've read her birth story--and the nurses were frantically trying to get me to come comfort her just at the same time Dr Manfredi had sat me down to break the news. There was almost no time for questions. (Drugs first, questions later.)

Audrey got morphine and settled down in my arms, devoured two popsicles and loved the shiny bead necklaces they gave her as a prize. She has been feeling great ever since the IV came out, even felt well enough for us to visit with sweet friends in the hospital whose son just received a kidney transplant, and then had a blast playing in the playroom while I visited with our friend Deb, the childlife specialist for the EA family wing. Audrey fell asleep for the bus ride home, we took a long nap, and our sweet host family shared their dinner with us and even gave her strawberry ice cream.

Audrey hugged me tonight and said, "This was a very good day." I was floored by her beautiful example, and I know she's right. Counting our blessings tonight.

My fabulous 3.99 custom omelet from the hospital cafeteria this morning, full of vegetables and feta, that I managed to get two bites of before the doctor arrived to talk to me. Don't worry, it was still delicious cold, two hours later. I was blessed to have an awesome nurse who gave Audrey a Dora video and gave us privacy and time so I could finish my breakfast.... lunch.