Now, the Big Wait

Dad, Steph, Kate and I waited in the small Radiology check-in waiting room, while the Espositos and the Brickers went to Family Surgical Waiting. After about 20 minutes, a nurse appeared to escort us back to where they had prep'd Mom.

She was in a 3-bay, white prep room with a couple of medical techs at desks and digital equipment lined along the walls. Each patient area was cordoned off with those thin, sheet-like curtains. A lady with a neck brace was in the first bay, sitting on the bed. There was no one in the second bay. Mom was in a hospital bed in the third bay. She beamed a plucky smile as we came in. She somehow had evaded the lipstick police--she still had her makeup on.

We each told her that we loved her. Dad prayed for her and her surgical team, and then Mom prayed. I don't remember what she said. I didn't want to close my eyes. It seemed like too much of a sacrifice to be so close and not to take her in. With the white hospital blankets gathered under her chin, her tanned face almost floated above the white sheet that covered the bed. Her eyes closed in prayer, I watched her and could only think that she seems much too young and beautiful to be going through all of this.

We hugged and kissed her. Somber, but hopeful. Glad to be proceeding. Steph, Kate and I left. Dad and Mom spent a few minutes together.

The nurse did not want to commit to a time period for completion. We expect it will take two or three hours, but we don't really know.

We're camped out in something called the Surgical Family Waiting Room. It's filled with dozens of those ugly hospital-vinyl chairs. The hypnotic drone of daytime television is coming somewhere from the corner of the room. Clots of people are in various states of semi-consciousness.

We're all the way in the opposite corner, near the door. Joe and Janice have already been asked to leave (no food or drink allowed). It seems like there is some high-tech electronic shield around this room that prevents any wifi or cell phone signal from penetrating. We wait.

On Her Way!

Good news! We were at the height and bustle of the lunch hour when the Espositos arrived. Loaded down with hugs and flowers and chocolate, kisses and prayers. Just in time! Mom's cell phone rang. It was Mom's nurse. The bloodwork came back fine, and they're ready for her to come back. Joy! Then a few tears of realization that this is really happening.

We hunted through the cafeteria to find Fred and Dad, who had gone off to locate provisions. We gathered in the middle of the lunch crowd to pray for Mom, and then she and Dad went back to Radiology.

We hope to be able to see her before they wheel her in for surgery.

The Wait

Hello Folks!
It's Dolly here....sitting in the cafeteria, waiting with Jack, Steph, Mary Kate, John, Joe and Janice. We're waiting again for the blood results to come back and for the surgeon to complete her morning emergency surgery. The table is loaded with wraps, huge sandwiches, pistachioes, chocolate, salads, coffee, cokes, chips....and I have to admit I'm geting a little bit hungry!
The company is great, lighthearted and the time is passing pretty quickly.....
so we wait.
Thanks for sticking with us!
We'll post again when something happens.....something that does not involve food!
Love,
Dolly

Waiting on Waiting

Turns out that the surgeon is occupied with an emergency surgery. They've taken Mom back to do her bloodwork to make sure that she's able to handle the arteriogram.

Waiting...

Steph and Kate are here! Mom checked in at 8:30, and she's first in line for brain surgery. Apparently, there are a lot of wrists and elbows in line in front of her.

On the road again...

We're on our way to Charlottesville. Everyone is in good spirits. We'll keep you updated...

Early-Bird News

One of the radiology nurses at University of Virginia Hospital called me a little while ago to tell me that we should be there at 8:30 AM tomorrow for the procedure. We were pleased that they could take me early in the morning when everyone (especially the doctor) is fresh!
So we're on for 8:30 AM. Look for blog updates as the morning and afternoon progress!
Thanks for praying.
Love,
Dolly