Pre - Op

Today went well. Took Jackson in a 11:00. It took almost 2 hours - so we were all hungry by the time it was over. He was a litle nervous because last night I did tell him that he would get a little shot, really - blood work - and he teared up and said very calmly, I don't want a shot.
:(

This morning he asked where we were going and I told him again, and talked about the other things we would be doing, too... like a chest xray, paperwork, blood pressure, weighing on the scale, etc... He told me with tears that he didn't want to do the blood work. I talked to him about it some more, and told him it would just hurt for a second, and then it be over with. Plus, he could have some new sticker books, and then get something from the vending machine (and anything else that he wanted - i will get him anything right now!)

Last time we were there - for our meeting with Dr. Mendeloff, and a tour ... he got o get something from the vending machine. I guess the kid has never ordered anything from a vending machine anymore. He's only close to being 5 years old. Really? Anyway, I am not trying to keep wonderful things like snacks from vending machines away from him deliberately, but guess I usually always carry tons of snacks with me. Anyway, he was so tickled last time byt putting the money in, getting to push the number of the lay's potato chips, and watch them fall all the way to the bottom. He LOVED it. Couldn't stop laughing. I mean, really, it's the little things...

Back to today. We met Colin there (who went in to work this morning) and while we waited for him we hung out in the super cool lobby - giant trees with rain forest sound effects are just part of the fun.



Got to the room. They had cartoons on. And he got to sit in a reclining chair. Oh, and he got to hold the remote. And they gave him a necklace to wear with his name on it - Beads of Courage. Oh, and gave him a bright green slurpy.
He was a pretty happy camper.


Talked with Ms. Margarita (who showed us around last time - she's the child life specialist, and she is wonderful). She talked to him in some more detail this time - explaining the IV, and showing him all the tubes on a doll in a mock operating room. Let him play with the lights, and give the doll some medicine.
She also helped distract him when it was time for the dreaded blood work. And get this. He didn't even know the needle went in. No tears when he set in the chair on Colin's lap. He watched them put the "rubber band" around his arm. And he was nervous, but being very brave. Margarita started showing him a book, and they started drawing blood - didn't even notice. Thanks to the NUMBING CREAM that they had rubbed on his arms 30 minutes before. SERIOUSLY! numbing cream. Children's hospitals are the best.
He noticed the blood coming out toward the end, but once he really looked, they were putting on he bandaid. He had the cutest look of shock and relief, and shouted, "I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT! I DIDN'T KNOW THEY DID IT!"

: )

So, we got through today. Bought some skittles in the vending machine. Went to lunch with Colin and I. Ate like a champ, drank a chocolate milkshake (well, some of it - said he didn't want to get a stomach ache).

He asked me on the way home, while it was quiet in the car, "Hey Mommy, why do I have a hole in my heart?" I paused for a minute, and told him, "I'm not sure why there is a hole there Jackson. But I know God made you. And you are precious to God. And precious to us. And God and the surgeon are going to help fix your heart so you won't ever have to worry about it again. It will be all better."

We have to be there at 10:30 tomorrow. Surgery is scheduled for noon. He should be finished in 4-5 hours.

We appreciate all of you lifting him up in prayer. It is when we need God so much, when we feel how close He is to us. I trust that God has Jackson in His hands, and I trust that Jackson has some really special guardian angels watching over him, too. Including Mawmaw Bea, and Mawmaw Frances, and my dad as well.

I'll be updating our blog tomorrow as we get through the day. Just keep praying that he will be okay. That everything will go as planned. That we will take home our little boys in 4-5 days with a healed heart.
Pray for Cooper and Charlie too. And Grandma Cathy and Daniel who are watching them until we get home. And for Colin and me and baby Maggie. Thank you so much for all of your support.