Cora Azalea: Recovery

It's been a long, tough week. Cora is doing great though and is recovering like a champ. She sure is a tough cookie. The day of the actual surgery was hard, to say the least. Waiting through the surgery was awful- it was only about three hours but it seemed like an eternity.

We were able to be with her when she came out of anesthesia which was nice of them to let us be there, however, I don't think they realized her crazy strength. When she awoke, Cora was like a wild beast. She was bleeding and fighting and choking and generally freaking out on the OR table. After I had a minor freakout myself, Nat and I helped hold her down on the table while the nurses stabilized her. It was horrible. But, (with the help of my singing, of course) they were able to calm her down and then I held her for about 12 hours straight while she wimpered, cried and then slept on and off. It was one of the hardest days of my life, but she did very well and was honestly better in a couple of days. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how quickly she healed and we actually were able to go home from the hospital early.

Everyone in the hospital ended up loving Cora (of course) and we were a little sad to leave our German speaking nurse friends. It only dawned on me when I couldn't understand and communicate with one of the nurses one morning that not too many people would let their baby have a major surgery in a foreign country where they didn't know the language. It was a little scary at times because I didn't always know what they were saying to me, but the hospital was amazing. The Swiss healthcare is great- they are extremely patient centered and very trusting of patients and their families. The doctors and nurses were very patient and kind and always had time to talk. Also, unlike hospitals in the states, the food is terrific and they almost force you to open your windows "for your health." It's amazing.

The first few days and nights home have also been tough- Nat and I are totally exhausted and Cora has been in a lot of pain and just wants to be held all of the time. There hasn't been much sleep for any of us, but every night is getting a bit better and Buddy and Pooh Bah have been over helping all the time (thank God!).

On Sunday, Nat, Cora, Tanner and Buddy and Pooh Bah (who were a HUGE help this past week!!) and myself needed a break and went on a little day trip to a tiny town in the Alps called Murren. It was a beautiful town, and a much needed getaway for all of us. I was a bit nervous taking Cora out, but she loved it and we all had a great Sunday riding the trams up the steep mountains, eating traditional Swiss fondue and tromping through the adorable old town.

Thank God this week that I have been dreading since the day Cora was born is FINALLY over. I am just crossing my fingers her recovery continues to go smoothly and that she recovers well.