McKinley's big surgery

7 months old

I can hardly believe the time has come for McKinley's big reconstructive surgery.  I feel like we've been talking about this forever and now, it's a week away.  On Tuesday May 31st McKinley will be admitted to Children's hospital at 8am and they will prep her bowels all day for the big surgery on June 1st.  When the nurse called yesterday to confirm the surgery I asked her what time it would start on Wednesday.  She said, "well, McKinley's the only one on the schedule since she's taking up the whole day!!"  That was just another reminder about what a big deal surgery this will be.  2 amazing surgeons will be working on her for 8-10hrs, most likely starting at 8:30am, Wednesday June 1st.  We will probably hand her to the anesthesiologist at least an hour before that.  They will be hooking up her rectum, taking down her colostomy, putting up a new colostomy, relocating the site of her G tube, and urology will be working on a lot of plumbing stuff as well.
I am nervous.  Nervous for how the surgery will go, whether or not it will be successful, nervous about how that long day of waiting will go for us, nervous for her recovery.....just all over nervous.  And I already feel so bad for her.  I can only imagine that the recovery from this will not be a walk in the park, and it's so hard for me to see this happy, healthy (meaning no cold for the first time in months!) little girl who's just starting to learn to roll, and maybe even try to crawl, and she has no idea what's about to hit her in exactly 1 week. 
On the other hand, she is such a trooper.  She has shown us over and over again over these past few months how tough she really is.  That little girl has been through SO much, and she still smiles for us every day.  She hardly cries when they cath her to check for a UTI or draw her blood.  The other day I yanked out her GJ tube (on accident of course) and she cried for about 30 seconds and then was over it.  I on the other hand cried for what seemed like forever as I stared at the gaping whole in her stomach and waited for Tony to rush home from work and rush her to the emergency room. 5 hours later she was home with a smile on her face and a butterfly beanie baby in her hands. I however, am still traumatized by it. I am so amazed and inspired by this little girl.
I know that God will have her in his arms all day on Wednesday.  I also know that he will be guiding the surgeons hands.  Whatever is meant to be will be, and McKinley will have a beautiful life no matter what the outcome.  But having said that, if you could add her to your prayer list we would appreciate it so much.  I would like to pray that the surgery goes without a hitch, that it's successful and that her recovery will be smooth.  McKinley says thank you, and we'll keep you posted on how it goes.... :)