Post op recovery update

Dearest friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers. The last few days have left us exhausted physically, and emotionally. Since the last posting by Simon, we've been taking shifts camping at the PICU, catching a few hours sleep at night. We thank God for preserving our health and preventing us from falling sick during this time.

Day 1 (Thursday 17 January)

We were admitted to Ward 47 in the afternoon - Lizzie had to have blood taken for tests in preparation for her op. Already her limbs are chubby, and finding a blood vessel on her was very difficult for the doctors. So for a normally straight-forward procedure of setting a plug (inserting a needle into a vein in order to set a tube in it), it took at multiple tries of inserting and reinserting needles into her arms, legs, hands and feet, until Lizzie was so traumatised, afterwards she would cry whenever a nurse or doctor came near. Unfortunately after that when we thought she could rest, one of the blood samples was lost, and Lizzie had to endure yet another round of needles pricking into her. She cried so hard and vomitted a few times, but Simon and I were there to reassure and restrain her as best as we could. We managed to get home leave that night, to return early the next day.

Lizzie is opens her eyes and sees Elmo!

Day2 *SURGERY DAY* (Friday 18 January)

5:30am the next morning I had to bathe Lizzie in the antiseptic wash given by the ward, and she kept falling asleep in the bath! We reached the hospital by 7:ooam, and immediately the doctors had to re-set a new plug. Again, as needles were repeatedly inserted and removed in the attempt to locate Lizzie's tiny veins, we were feeling so much pain for her even before her operation. Finally a vein was found, and a plug was set - the pictures Simon posted of us carrying her in the hospital playground was just moments before they wheeled her off to the operation theatre. You can see one of her feet bound up (inside is the plug)


Going into surgery

As I walked with her through the hospital corridors to the operating theatre, I prayed silently that God would protect her from all complications, and that His spirit would fill that theatre, and Lizzie would not be fearful. I was allowed to accompany her into the operating room, and she was in good spirits- playing with the docs and nurses. She was so tired that she fell asleep in my arms before they gave her the gas.




After the surgery

It was three hours later we got news that the operation was successful - in the first two hours, her surgery was delayed because no one could insert a line into her blood vessels. They finally had to take a major blood vessel at her groin - which will result in scarring, but had to be done nonetheless. Her surgeon informed us the actual operation had only taken about an hour to complete. We give thanks to the Lord for no complications, and no need for blood transfusion. AMEN! Praise the Lord!

Lizzie & Mummy

Lizzie & Daddy

Post op in the ICU

Finally we were able to see our little one in the PICU - we were suprised and happy to see that the intubation had been removed (this is normally left in a day or two longer, but Lizzie was strong enough to breathe on her own - praise the Lord!), and she was no longer sedated. It broke our hearts to see her in pain, and hear her whimpering softly, but we also rejoiced in knowledge that God had made her such a strong girl. A fighter!

Day3 *TODAY* (Saturday 19 January)

At 6:00am Lizzie's eyes were wide open, and with the only leg unrestrained managed to kick off all her blankets. The surgical team and Prof CN Lee came to see her soon after - Lizzie glared at everyone (myself and Simon included). To everyone's suprise, the chest drainage tube was quickly removed, and Lizzie was able to start drinking milk again.

Lizzie in PICU

Now as I am typing this, I am sitting by Lizzie's bedside. Occasionally one of the monitors would sound, or Lizzie would stir, and whimper and cry in her sleep. I am faced with the reality that although she has had a successful op, there is a long road of recovery ahead.
We ask that you continue to pray along with us as we cast all our cares and anxieties upon Him.

Our prayer requests:

1/ That the Lord will cause all of Lizzie's surgical wounds to heal quickly and with no complication or infection, and that they will not cause her too much pain.

2/ That Lizzie will be able to maintain good oxygen saturations and be able to come off oxygen support soon.

3/ We ask for continued good physical and mental development

4/ That God will protect her from any bad memories of this experience, and she will not be affected by this surgery, but will be back to the cheerful, bubbly, and affectionate girl that she is.

5/ That the Lord will continue to reveal to us His plan for Lizzie, and use her life and testimony for His glory.

6/ That God will continue to protect the health of Lizzie's caregivers (myself, Simon and my mum-in-law).

We would like to give thanks to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for seeing Lizzie through her operation safely, and for bringing into our midst fellow believers to comfort and assure us (from Lizzie's gospelighter Aunties and Uncles, and our beloved ELIM CG family, to old friends from NNICU the Aunty-Nurse Hung Fei and Aunty-Doctor Siok Ying, to a new friend -anaesthetist Aunty-Doctor Avina). Special thank you to Soo San and Francis for your advice, prayers, and loaning us your oxygen equipment. God has brought loving brothers and sisters into our lives in every step of our journey - HE is indeed our Jehova Rapha and Jehova Jireh.


We will continue to update you when we can.
God Bless,

Elaine