Frankie's Surgery Day!

We were lucky to experience Shriners Orthopedic Children's Hospital for Frankie's surgery.

It amazes me how this hospital runs on pure donations... and that there are 22 of them in the U.S!

All their services are free!

Frankie's surgery didn't cost us one penny!

Frankie's doctor is a Hand Orthopedic Surgeon.  She has her own practice and works two days a month at Shriners hospital.  Which was part of the headache in scheduling and keeping Frankie healthy.  We only had one day each month to try and book Frankie's surgery.  

Relaxed on the meds they gave him before surgery.

Giving mom some snuggle time.

We had to be to the hospital bright and early at 6 a.m.

Frankie leaving with the anesthesiologist to the O.R

During surgery Kevin and I killed some time in the fun facilities they have there.

We ate breakfast in the cafeteria downstairs.

Played a little hoop upstairs.

A new favorite game, Bananagrams.

These pictures don't really do the giant activity room justice.  With lots of windows that overlook Salt Lake.  The dome (in the top pic) is where the activity center is.

They brought Frankie to us awake.  But still plenty groggy. 

Surgery went smoothly.  

Thankfully she didn't have to take a skin graft from Frankie.  He had enough chubby skin on his hand she was able to use to stitch up his fingers.  

I love him!

Frankie liked to zone out to the Baby Einstein video while the meds wore off. 

He really enjoyed being with his mama.  

I love being a mom!

Grandma brought the kids for a quick check-in on Frankie.

They only stuck around Frankie's room for about 2 minutes....because they felt like they were at Disneyland in the giant activity room!

Can you see the joy on their faces?  There were about 25 different ride-on toys, slides, rocking horses, ping pong, a pool table, basketball, play dough centers and games centers.

We look the kids to eat lunch in the Cafeteria while grandma stayed with Frankie.  

Their 10 minute visit was more like a 2 hour visit.  

Why would they want to leave?  Boy was it hard to get them out of there!

A great children's hospital indeed!

Yay for same-day surgery!  We left the hospital around 4.

We feel so blessed that things went so smoothly!  Thanks for all your prayers!

Frankie is recovering well!  It seems like the first couple of days really set him back.  But slowly he's coming around.  As long as he is on Motrin and in mommy's care, he's as happy as can be!  

His poor little cry and voice has been raspy from the intubation.

Frankie's soft cast will be on him for 3 weeks.  I can't wait to see how it turned out.  The Dr. informed us that it won't be very pretty at first.  But that's to be expected.  

I love his little thumb sticking out!  I've caught him chewing on it a couple of times.  It's cute.  

Before, he loved putting his little hand on my lips to have me kiss him and now he tries to put that stinky tape smelling cast on my face.  So I appease him and smother his little thumb with kisses.  :)

We LOVED Shriner's and I can't believe we had such a great experience!  

The facility and staff were amazing!