first day post op-

My sweet Camilla - she is such a trooper. Yesterday was such a long day. Surgery lasted about 6 hours but "could not have gone better" according to Dr. Blount (surgeon. He removed a portion of the skull covering the right hemisphere (frontal and parietal lobes) and placed approximately a hundred electrodes into and onto the brain. After 'loosely' replacing the skull and wrapping her head up tight she has a large 'ponytail' of wires that are having to be closely guarded (along with a drain). These electrodes will now monitor precisely where the seizure activity is originating. The original plan was to monitor these for 7 days with the resection surgery being planned for next Tuesday. The report we recieved immediately following surgery was that there was already activity detected in several areas (which is unusual while still under the effects of general anesthesia which normally supresses seizure activity) and there has been talk of moving the resection up to Friday if they can get the information they need before then. This 'information' is based on her having seizures. We need typical seizures soon in order to move the surgery up but if not we are prepared for surgery on Tuesday also. Coming out of surgery yesterday she looked perfect. Her coloring was good and she was not swollen at all. Today the swelling is setting in and she has been dealing with pain and nausea through the night and the most part of the morning. She has required Zophran and Morphine and did require additional blood this morning but now seems to be feeling better and is more active. It has been amazing to me the amount of constant care that has been required since surgery. We are in the Burn Unit which is another critical care unit but we are allowed to stay with her all the time (as opposed to PICU - PRAISE GOD) and she does have a 'one on one' nurse as well. Our night last night was very busy and long due to the constant care that I mentioned. They were continually changing tubes and wires, giving meds, checking vitals and on and on which made for a sleepless but 'well cared-for' night. She is finally starting to drink and eat well (and keep it down) and is able to take Motrin and Tylenol by mouth and the pain is starting to subside which is good news so that we can discontinue the Morphine as it too can further inhibit seizure activity. As I type Camilla is playing with her ipad and eating green beans and mashed pototoes. She has been up (standing) several times today and seems to have good strength a stability still - even after showing initial signs of mild weakness in her left arm. Specific prayer requests at this time are for her continued pain relief, comfort and tolerance; seizures to resume soon (I know it sounds crazy); for clarity in upcoming decisions; and continued peace for the entire family. There are NO WORDS to describe the outpouring of love, support, encouragment, gifts and prayers that we have recieved over the last week. Please know that we are reading and treasuring each and every one even if we are not able to immediately respond. From the bottom of our hearts - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your kindness and for loving our sweet 'baby angel.' I will hopefully update again later tonight. "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11