Crazy day

Wes, Bronwyn and I drove up to Edmonton yesterday afternoon. We made good time and were able to get Bronwyn to bed and have a nice visit with Peter and Marj (who have a lovely home by the way).

We had to get up very early and go to the Pre-admission Clinic by 7 am. We were on time even though they moved the public parking and the ped-way and the signage wasn't the best as we made our way through the halls.

We expected a long day. In fact I had packed a bag of tricks, toys and things to amuse Bronwyn while we waited.

Things just started moving after we got there. We left the hospital at 11am. In that time they did X-rays of Bronwyn's chest, an EKG, an Echo cardiogram (a long one too), blood work. We also had visits from a fellow on Dr. Rebeyka's team, Dr. Rebeyka, the anesthesiologist, the physiotherapist, a social worker and a complete work down by the PAC nurse.

We didn't wait more than 5 minutes for anything. You could have knocked me over with a smile by 11 am. I could not believe it! Other times we have been to Edmonton we have waited and waited and waited for everything. This was truly amazing.

I thought a lot about several families we are friends with when I read a sign in the cardiology clinic. It said, "A gentle reminder that the wait time for clinic visits is between 1 and 4 hours." 4 HOURS! Boy - I'd be mental by that point. I hope that was sarcastic. How do you do it Kim and Shannon?

We got home just after Gavin. We learned that not only did he go to school easily for Grandpa but Grandpa didn't even have to go in the building. No way!! I knew that would happen. See there is good reason to believe that the grandparents should raise the young kids - they are just better at it.

Gavin did report that he cried. They did the "Harry Fox Run" (hee hee) and they made him do big laps of the field, 3 laps in total. Apparently he got too tired and cried. See he is just like his mother.

Bronwyn was just a champ today. Really she is so amazing. I'm so proud of her. Even after the blood work she was quick to be distracted by the lovely stickers she was given. Princess have to do their best no matter what the circumstance.

Mari did great for Mom and Dad. She slept through the night - yeah for her. They insisted that she didn't "walk" yet. They were emphatic enough that I suspect she did walk. I hope she walks a bit tomorrow so I can try catch it on video.

Mom assured me that they would do fine. She said, "We raised three kids, and they all turned out, well pretty bad, but we learned a few things I guess." Cute eh?

I feel pretty excited tonight. It was a lot of driving extra driving but it is so great for Bronwyn to be home for the weekend. Hopefully we can have some fun and go up to Edmonton recharged and ready to kick some congenital heart defect BUTT.