The Harrison Family: September 2018 - Riley surgery #5 this year

September was a busy month for the Harrisons. The kids were back in school and getting used to the hustle and bustle that goes with that. Extracurriculars and homework!

Riley is learning that second grade is a lot more responsibility. She has a lot more homework than she did previously and it is her responsibility to turn in the work without being reminded - if she does not - she gets no credit. Forgetting to complete a question on an assignment or failing to put her name on a paper is costly this year and Riley is learning these lessons the hard way. She is super intelligent but is learning the importance of taking her time and checking her work. She is back in Dance and as always really enjoys that. Soccer will start soon so she will have a packed schedule and continues to learn time management.

From a health perspective Riley has been complaining of her left ear hurting and has been saying she has had headaches and at times will complain about dizziness. These are not all the time but were enough given her history to make us go see her ENT to get checked out. We learned that her left tube (put in during her last surgery - like a month ago!) has been displaced and is sitting in her ear canal - so we think that was causing the discomfort and was removed. Given the other symptoms - the Dr wanted to get her scheduled for a hearing test and an MRI and/or CAT scan to see if the cyst was back and develop a plan. Her hearing test showed she has moderate hearing loss in her right ear (Previously she had mild loss) and the MRI showed the cyst was likely back. While this was not the news we wanted to hear the Dr was confident that the cyst was all together and would lead to an easy removal. At least that's one bit of good news!

Surgery was scheduled for the end of September and I was lucky that mom and dad were able to come in and assist. We didn't tell Riley until the morning of, I wanted to avoid all the emotions I could in advance. She would worry and it would not help anything. Surgery day came and we were scheduled to arrive at 11 - not a great time for a little girl that cannot eat but she made the most of it. The surgeons were super busy so we did not get taken back until like 3. At Texas Children's before your child gets operated on all the Dr's and nurses that will be in the OR come by and introduce themselves to both the parents and the child. Its a nice touch that does help reduce the stress of a very stressful situation. We were one of the last surgeries that day (they operate based on age and Riley was one of the oldest). I was such a nervous wreck I was pacing the waiting room. They have a board that is updated on the surgery progress in general terms (I.e. anesthesia started, Procedure Started, closing, etc..) Well as I nervously watched the board, for the first hour is did not update and just said anesthesia started. Of course I am thinking, I wonder why she has not gone to sleep yet, is something wrong? Well then as I am pacing the waiting room I see the Anesthesiologist walk down the hall with his bag as though he is leaving. He sees the panic look on my face and enters the waiting room asking if I am ok.... I was like.... UMMM NO my daughter is on the table and not asleep yet and you were her Dr! He chuckled and said that she was fine and the procedure was going great so they let him leave early. He said they had not updated the board. Minor heart attack averted! As we continue to wait the receptionist calls out "Ms Harrison you have a call from the operating room" WHAT???? Is this for real? I have done this so many times by now and NEVER had I received a call from the operating room. A million things are going through my head as I rush to get the phone. The nurse says, "Ms Harrison I just want to let you know we are finish and getting ready to close" Another crisis averted but I really think my heart cannot take any more of these episodes. The Dr comes out to share the results of the procedure and all was fantastic. She did have the cyst and the Dr feels very confident she got it all. She said it was nicely all together and the removal was easy. She was excited to show us some pictures she took with some new technology to ensure in some hard to reach places there were no signs of cysts. We were thrilled and we are so blessed to have such an amazing doctor!

We have arrived at TCH and she is in good spirits

Riley's ear post op - its sunken in the back due to the tissue removal from the MRSA infection - hoping her tissue continues to come back.

Waiting for the surgery

Surgery #5 this year - prayers this is it!

September is grandparents day. This year my parents could not make it so my awesome younger brother went and celebrated with my kids on his Friday off. I bet he was the best looking grandpa in there! You can see from my kids smiles how excited they were to have Uncle Jeff pinch hit for Granny and Paw Paw.