Here & There with Bug & Bear: Bug's Surgery: Diagnosis & Pre-Op

I've delayed posting anything on this subject, because I kept going back and forth on how much I'd let myself rant about our current (soon to be former) pediatrician and vent my frustrations with having to insist, nag, and practically plead to get a referral for a blood test....a test that we've known, since their birth, that both my kids would need to have. Anyways, long story short, a few months after Bug's 5th birthday she was diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia - Type 2A. In a nut shell, it is a gene mutation (inherited from me) that causes tumors in the endocrine system, starting with they thyroid. It is recommended that thyroid be removed at or before age 5 as a preventative measure. So, this past Tuesday, Bug had a complete thyroidectomy (details to follow in the next post).
We decided to have the procedure done at OU Children's Hospital, and, so far, I've been extremely pleased with that decision. The doctors and nurses have been wonderful, and the child life team is invaluable! The Friday before surgery one of the child life specialists gave Bug a tour of the hospital. She walked her through the process (literally walked us through each room she'd encounter) from the waiting room to the play room , explained equipment that Bug would see on surgery day, and introduced her to some of the staff that would be taking care of her. She answered her questions, helped ease some of her anxiety, and made sure she knew pretty much exactly what to expect. Bug got to take home some of the pulse ox and heart monitor wires/stickers to play with and a "sleepy mask" to decorate and bring back.
Instead of waiting until the morning of surgery to drive to the city, we headed up on Monday and made a mini staycation out of it.