Coping with surgery part 2

OK, Here's the 2nd half of what I did to cope with my daughter's impending surgery. The list goes on and on :) Miss part one? Find it here: 

Coping with Surgery Part 1

My sister in law, the hairstylist I mentioned before did a fundraiser for my cause & we organized red streaks in our hair in February.

I wanted a way to bring awareness to CHD with something I could wear every day the month of February. I created these CHD shoes to wear everyday! And for Heart awareness day I brought my A game!

    

I wanted my daughter to know she was loved and many people were thinking of her while in the hospital. So I decided to pick certain people and family members to create a one of a kind 6x6 square of fabric that we would see together as a quilt for her. THIS WAS AMAZING! I bawled like a baby when it was done, so beautiful- meaningful. I was blessed with another heart mom who was able to create this amazing quilt.

Next up, I told ya, I like to be busy, is my book I wrote for her. I met with the child life specialists to see exactly what would happen to her. From there, I decided what I wanted her to know and what I thought was appropriate.  This took a ton of time and energy. I illustrated it and put many significant clues in the illustrations as to it being for her. It was wonderful. I published it through my school's Student Treasure program.

I wanted to give her something special for her heart day. I searched for a beautiful, real heart ring and presented it her the morning we left for the hospital. In addition to the ring, I wanted her to have dolly like her. So I found this FB site, The Cutest Dolls Ever, and I picked the doll for my daughter. From her hair and eyes to her clothes and scar. The doll is beautiful.

   

Before going to the hospital I wanted to have a Suitcase filled with new things needed- button jammies, movies, slippers, ice pack, leggings, photo album, journal, and other little stuff.

I prepared stiff for a glow party at the hospital. We invited 2 family members (all that was allowed in the room, but they rotated) and gave the nurse some stuff. Fun, fun!

Throughout the months preceding surgery I tried to collect heart decor and fun things to decorate the boring hospital room as well. 

I needed to have a small token of my appreciation for anyone who came in contact with our family. Each person meant so much and played an important role in my daughters care. So I made heart pins. I bought the hearts, glitter painted them, added the stitch and pin back. We put them in cute mesh bags with thank you tags. All supplies from the Dollar Tree! Every doctor, nurse, specialist or volunteer got one!

And then there's those doctors, the miracle workers. I needed just a little more. So I prepared and framed a heart wordle for each doctor and of course, Nurse Natalie! Each was so appreciative!

These things helped me occupy my time until surgery came. I knew I could not control any part of surgery and the outcome, but I could control my outlook and my energy. I needed to turn that stress into positive things to get  by. After the girls went to bed, I did these things, during lunch I worked on this. Basically any time I had to think was filled with these projects. It helped- it really did!

What have you done to help yourself or others cope? Please share your ideas...I LOVE hearing what you have found to work or help! 

Please comment below!

Kellyxxoo

COPING with surgery- Our CHD Journey

Throughout our whole CHD experience I had to find ways to make it 'ok.' I had to keep my mind busy. I'm kinda a control freak- I said it- never out loud before but I have now. So, this was a very good life lesson in not always bring able to control your life and about finding ways to be ok with that. I cried.. A lot. Sometimes- in the beginning wondered why us? Did I do something wrong during pregnancy? But quickly realized that thought process need to end. It wasn't healthy for me and if I wasn't healthy I couldn't help others through this. It wasn't happening to just me it was happening to my family, my husband, my parents, and relatives. Most of all my Peanut.

First, how do I tell my friends and family everything? How do I communicate without having to tell the same story 100 time?! FACEBOOK! I created a page, a private place of people who wanted to hear about Olivia. I needed a cool name, though. Olivia is my Peanut and that is when the Peanut Squad was born!

I did many, many things to try to make it better. After talking with the Dr. I knew one of the first things I needed to do- volunteer at the hospital. I needed to see it, be there, be part of their family and above all give back to them. I needed a way, a thoughtful way to thank this place for taking care of my child. This is where her life would change and these people were going to help. How could I not thank them?

Next, worried whether or not we could stay at the hospital, IF we needed the Ronald McDonald House, I had to have a way to thank them, I had to give to them. And that was when the love of pop tabs blossomed. We hope to become, The Peanut Squad, a member of the 1,000,000 pop tab club!

Another thing I did, was create Peanut Squad shirts and invited people to purchase them with proceeds benefiting Advocate Lutheran General and other heart organizations. I created the logo and with help from graphic designer friends, our logo was created. Unexpectedly we sold, I think, in the 170s! Along with the shirt, they also received a handmade candle painted by Olivia, a thank you picture and soy candle donated by The Lazy Ballerina. It was quite an undertaking to get all those packages together. So fun and I got to see all the support I had! I bought some for all the doctors and nurse and Dr. Nueberger wore his on his first check up with us in the hospital. Such am amazing Dr.

Buuuuuuut WAIT there's more! 

Check back to find other (I think) AWESOME ways to help you and your child through times like this!

***ADDED***

Part 2 here