After a Break...

I had to take a break from posting my 365 project because we were in Vancouver, at BC Children's Hospital, for Jaymi's second brain surgery.  We are now back home and she is recovering very well, I am happy to say!

Somehow, I think I missed a few days, although I did try to take a picture every day.

So...to continue with 365 things I love about my daughter:

February 5/11

...her femininity

Feb. 6/11

I somehow missed taking a picture the day before we left for Vancouver.  I guess we were too busy packing and thinking of the upcoming surgery.

Feb. 7/11

...her bravery

Jaymi had no idea (neither did we) that she would be having a blood test this day, and she was so brave.  She definitely DID WANT to let the nurse take blood, and she got through it so well.  She amazes me every day.

Feb. 8/11

I missed this day too.  It was the day that she had an ophthalmologist appointment we also found out the official time of her surgery the next day - 8:15 am.

Feb. 9/11

...her fight

Jaymi is such a strong little girl.  Both times she has had surgery, she has surprised the doctors and nurses by fighting the drugs that keep her asleep and fighting against being 'down'.  She tries to pull tubes out, she struggles to stay awake with strong drugs that keep most kids asleep, and she fights to get going again.  This fight helps her to recover quickly - I believe that.

Feb. 10/11

...her friendship

She connects with certain people, and it's wonderful to observe.  Her favourite camp counsellor from Camp Qwanoes last summer was Sarah.  Sarah happens to live in Vancouver and visited Jaymi in the ICU.  She brought her a special book and they had a good visit.

Feb. 11/11

...her inner strength

Jaymi is so strong, and she pulls that from inside of herself.  After both surgeries, she has gone into herself and almost disappeared a bit, becoming very quiet, and almost seeming depressed.  But then she has manage to pull out of it, and emeerge her usual self, if not even stronger.

Feb. 12/11

...her sense of tradition

Each surgery and each difficult medical test/experience, we have made sure that we either do something fun, or have something (like a new stuffie or an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen).  Jaymi loves and relies on these traditions.  She knew that while in the hospital, someone would go and get her a Dairy Queen, double-dipped ice cream cone, even if she couldn't eat it all.

Feb. 13/11

...her indomitable spirit

One of the frustrating things about surgery for Jaymi is how she is weak and unbalanced and has to work at walking, sitting, holding her head up, jumping, running, etc..