So today was the first time we could see Gracie after surgery. I wasn't sure what to expect other than I was certain she would look a little pitiful and that I couldn't wait to see her. This little girl doesn't even know how much she means to me.  When I got there they set up a room for me and brought her in so we could be in a private space.  I laid a blanket on the floor to sit down there with her. She looked pitiful, I could tell she was so uncomfortable, but I was so happy to see her nonetheless.  She had a huge wrapped bandage around her entire core and she was noticeably uncomfortable.  I knew she was excited to see me, but it hurt my heart to see her so uncomfortable. I checked with the staff to see when her next pain medication dose was due, then we resumed our visit. Gracie was so unsettled, whimpering and crying, shaking and trying to lay or sit by me, but then getting up and pacing uncomfortably. Even through all the discomfort I could tell she was happy to see me....and I was so happy to see her.  We sat together for more than an hour before Erin came for a visit, Gracie was so excited to see her too. All I wanted to do was to make her comfortable. When it was time to go I rechecked to make sure Gracie was about to get her pain meds and then the tech took Gracie back to settle her in for the night.  Right now it was too soon to decide when Gracie was going to come home, but I was looking forward to visiting her the next day....and hoping she had a restful night. I cried when they first brought her in the room, I was so relieved to see her....and I cried when I left because I was sad I had to leave her, but I would head back in the morning to check up on her progress.

  Gracie the day after surgery to remove a mass from her rt lung nodule