GOD'S HANDS AND SURGEON'S FINGERS

The pure exhaustion of looking after and supporting someone undergoing medical treatment can only be exceeded by the exhaustion of the surgeon who has spent the day saving lives. His youthful face tells a story.  He is tired and fuelled by adrenaline.  However you get the impression that he would do all 7 hours again if required. The skill and dedication of this doctor and his team is humbling.

The FED bounces back from both surgeries with skill and ease. Such is the gift of youth that you can be in theatre for 14 hours and still chatter away after as if you are out to lunch! Of course the chatter doesn't always make sense, especially post anesthetic. But her Dad and I listen and hang on to every word, as it is gold after the interminable wait.

The nurses flutter about checking monitors and taking measurements.  The FED is in a high dependency unit post surgery and so nurses are never too far away. Though it is obvious from the full to bursting unit that they are very busy, they still have time for a chat. And time to calm down parents whose children have had 14 hours of surgery all up this week.

The army comes to visit. That's what I call the four doctors who are caring for our girl. They are all so young but then maybe it's because I am getting on in years and more so with each medical drama. The army boss tells us that he is pleased with both surgeries. Euphoria. The army boss tells us he needs to do more. Despair. She needs more surgery.

She is sent home for the weekend to get some good quality sleep. The surgeon has bumped someone down his operating list on Monday, so she gets three decent sleeps in her own bed before we go back. I've tidied her room for her but she doesn't notice, such is her relief and delight to be home.

Prayers and well wishes have been flying in from around the world. We are overwhelmed by how much people care. We are touched and grateful as it makes our burden lighter knowing it is shared by many.

So as I watch my darling daughter chomping away on an ice cream and laughing with her sister, all I can do at this stage is repeat my mantra " in God's hands and the surgeons fingers".

Till next time xxx