Archive for August, 2019

VNS Surgery August 24

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

August 24th 2019

It’s finally here, the day has come that I am going to get the VNS device implanted in me. Almost a year later after mom embarked on the mission to find me and have donated to me the VNS device. We did it! Today at 7 am I have to show up to CIMA get checked into my room, get my robe on, and then to head down stairs for pre-op. At pre-op we met with Anesthesiologist Dra. Trisnoski. She would be the one to get a line in my vein for the anethesia and antibiotic I would take before surgery. She had the nurse to hold my arm, mom had said you better hold tight. Miss Malia can move she found the vein but the nurse wasnt holding my hand good enough and I pulled back and out went the needle as well as a ton of blood that shot across the room. Time for second try, this time it was a success and the nurse had an extreme grip on my hand this time.

After that Dra. Trisnoski asked to speak to my mom. My dad stayed with me and mom went to talk to the doc. The doctor did a good job of explaining absolutely everything that could go wrong inside the operating room. THe list was long but my parents both agreed that no matter what happened in there that they have only been trying to do the best for me since birth. If VNS therapy proves to help me and reduce my seizures then the risk being taken was worth it. The Neurosurgeon, Dr. Caceres came by to see me and as well talk to my parents about all the complications that could happen inside. THe representative from Liva Nova, Gabrielle Camaya flew in for my operation. He was about the only one telling my parents not to worry that everything was going to be just fine!

At 10:15 they took me in, mom and dad gave me a big kiss and told me they would be waiting for me on the other side of OR. We went to waiting room where we met my Granny, Aunty Kathy, Uncle Jack, Aunty Chrissy,and Mrs. Linda! I had quite the on site support group rooting for me. Dra. Castro walked by the waiting room and got to meet Kathy… Mom has been telling her about Kathy and Lindsay for years! Dra. Castro was going to be observing the operation and also be our inside spy! Once in the operating room she would write little messages to mom to let my parents know how I was doing inside! I have to say I did an amazing job in there. I handled the anethesia great, and Dra. Trinoski kept an ever loving eye on me. Dr. Caceres found the vagnus nerve wrapped the electrode around it and implanted the device on my left side. He is an amazing doctor. After all the hardware had been installed it was time to sew me back up. The surgery all in all took about two hours from start to finish. I had no problem breathing on my own after the breathing tube was taken out. The surgery was a success! I am so grateful for the amazing team of doctors and CIMA Hospital for all that they have done for me and my family. Mom and dad were waiting for me and I woke up to them staring over me with big smiles. We waited in the post op room for about a hour and then it was up to my room. Everyone came by to see me. I was groggy and a bit out of it but overall I did really well and was off oxygen and doing good. The doctors wanted to keep me overnight for observance only. The following day I was able to leave the hospital after Dr. Castro discharged me.

We headed to the hotel where we were staying before surgery and made plans to stay there a few days more! Dad and Jack went back on Sunday to our home in Delicias. The following day granny left for Texas, I was so happy to have her here with me during the surgery. She almost missed it so we were all happy she could stay and be with us. On Tuesday, Roxy, mom me and Kathy headed back home so I could recuperate in the comforts of my own bed! It was a long ride home but I did really well in the trip and the following day I slept in very late.

We are all so happy the surgery is over and so grateful to the doctors and hospital CIMA for everything they have done for us! We are so very blessed. Hoping to have continued progress and poistive news for you! We head back to San Jose in two weeks to turn the device on! 🙂 Thanks to everyone for all your prayers, love and support!

Love Malia