Fast forward a year

During Addison's yearly appointment with her plastic surgeon, we discussed options for removal.  He still felt that the best way to remove the nevus would be through tissue expanders and then grafts.  He suggested that we wait until she turned 2, but we really didn't want to wait.  So, he allowed us to make the decision to start earlier.  She was scheduled for surgery to implant her expanders into her chest wall on September 10, 2008, but due to overscheduling, was bumped to September 12.  This is where frustration started to set in.  We had planned this day for months, it was changed the day before.  We had made arrangements for our other girls, people had taken off work, we had meals arranged, etc.  Things happen for a reason, however, and we waited the extra days, then went ahead.

The next week was a nightmare.  Poor Addison was in so much pain!  We basically sat and watched movies, with her on my lap.  Occassionally, she would call our dog, Emma, over to sit with us, and that seemed to help calm her down a bit.  After about a week, Addi seemed to adjust, or heal, and she went back to being her normal, happy girl. 

Two weeks after surgery, we started the fill process.  This required going to Primary Children's Hospital once a week for injections of saline into the expanders.  This, too, was not a fun experience, and we made it a habit to stop at the vending machine on the way out for a little treat.  We became good friends with the nurse, and Dr. Siddiqi.

Those expanders were a challenge for Addison.  Every time she would have them filled, she would have to readjust to walking.  The really messed with her balance.

Eight weeks later, the expanders were full, and she was ready for the grafts.  The day before Thanksgiving, Addison went in for her next surgery. 

Surgery went off without a hitch.  I don't remember how long we were waiting, seems like it was a couple of hours, and Dr. Siddiqi came to the waiting room to report that he had gotten quite a bit off the front of her leg, and was very happy with it.  That was encouraging.  When Addison was done in the recovery room, we were moved to a room.  Shortly thereafter, we discovered that Addi doesn't really tolerate Morphine, as she began throwing up.  Some anti-nausea medication in her IV, no more pajamas, and a dirty blanket later, and we were settled.  We spent the night in the hospital for pain management, most of the night was spent with Addi on my lap, and her funny little drains poking out of her back.  One of them came undone, and we both ended up with bloody discharge all over us.  When Dr. Siddiqi came in the next day to check on us and provide discharge orders, Addi was not happy to see him.  She immediately started crying, and was inconsolable, until we got in the car to come home. 

We were given instructions to not unwrap the bandage for 2 weeks to let it heal.  She was also not allowed to walk until further notice. We made her follow-up appointment, where we would be able to see what had been done for 2 weeks later.  That is a long time to wait!  Finally, we were able to see what had been done:

The doctor assurred us that is was looking the way that is was supposed to look, wrapped it back, still no walking, and we made another appointment to check on it.  It went like this for several weeks, although we were able to just send pictures after two visits, rather than drive back to the hospital, but after seeing the pictures, he wanted to check it in person, so we made the drive anyway.  Five weeks later, Addi was given the release to start walking again, and while she did occasionally disturb a small scab and cause bleeding, she was basically free until the next surgery, six months down the road.