Pre Op Appointment

Gunnar's surgery is scheduled for Thursday. We had our Pre Op Appt on Wednesday morning. It included a visit with the doctor, just to make sure Gunnar was healthy for the surgery. The nurse was really sweet and gave us all kinds of 'toys' to let Gunnar use play therapy to prepare for the day ahead.

Using the flashlight to look in Dad's mouth.


Using the tongue depressor in Dad's mouth. (After I took these pics, the nurse came in and told us we were only supposed to do play on the bunny rabbit, not on each other. Oops.)


Then we had to go upstairs for some bloodwork. Gunnar is one tough cookie. The Child Life specialist came in to talk to Gunnar about the day ahead. She had a doll named Sam, and they played doctor with him. Gunnar surprised her with his medical skills. He knew exactly where to put the stethoscope (lifted his shirt to show her his heart) and the blood pressure cuff. Showed her how to push the meds with the syringe (no needle of course!) and how to put the pulse ox monitor on Sam's finger! We were surprised at how he put it all together. She gave us a medical kit with doctor scrubs and gloves to prepare him. Then they drew blood. The nurse was all prepared to distract him with bubbles (it was wonderful!), but he had no interest in the bubbles. He wanted to watch the 'butterfly' go in his arm. He pointed it out and said "Buh-Fly". Watched her draw the blood and then said "All Done!" when she was done. Not a tear was shed! One Tough Cookie!

Here's a picture of his "special cream" (they put it on to numb the spot where they draw blood).


And here's a shot of him riding Dad's shoulders to the car with his prize package!