One very brave girl

This picture is from my phone and a little grainy, but I had to document my strong girl going through her eye surgery. Several months ago a bump formed on her eyelid/eyelash area. We watched it get bigger and finally decided we should go to the doctor. After several appointments with the pediatrician and an ophthalmologist it was determined that surgery was needed. We were a little nervous, but knew we had the BEST place in the nation to take her: Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is so wonderful. I have told several people that it's not a place you want to have to use, but when you need it, there is no other place you would rather be. They took great care of her when she was 7 weeks old with RSV and I knew they could do it again with her pretty little 4 year old eyes:)

When operation day arrived she was given these cute PJ's and asked to get ready. They came and asked us a bunch of questions (some several times) and then asked her just one: "Are you going to be a big girl and go with the doctors and nurses?" She thought it over for a second and gave them a solid "NO!" A few minutes later a child specialist came with her "magic box" It had pictures of the operating room, a sample of the mask they would use and several chap sticks for her to smell and pick her scent for the medicine that would put her to sleep. After all this and some reassurance from Mommy she decided it was ok. We prayed with her and she knew so many other family and friends were doing the same. I asked her who was always with her even when Mommy and Daddy weren't: she sweetly whispered "God" and it made my heart smile.

The surgery itself did not take very long, but I was so happy to get her in my arms again. She was sad and still tired so they helped me get her situated so I could hold her. She slept for another 30 minutes and we were cleared to go home.

She was instructed to take it easy the rest of the day. She snuggled with me and watched movies. Her eye watered quite a bit over the next couple days and she kept her box of tissues close by. The above picture shows the balloons our neighbors brought. She also received several cards, drawings and phone calls. She felt very special and we appreciated all the thoughts and prayers.