It’s been 45 minutes since I watched the anesthesiologist pushed Propofol in Yemayah’s IV. Immediately her eyes rolled back in her head as the potent anaesthetic took effect. No matter how many times I have seen her being put to sleep, it is still very unsettling. When I left the OR my shaky legs were a bit steadier then usual but there was no disguising the knots in my stomach and trembling inmy hands. 

Today Yemayah is having her double lumen pheresis catheter that was used to harvest her stem cells replaced with a single lumen port. The port will be used over the next year for blood draws, administering medications, and blood and platelets transfusions when needed. Theoretically the procedure should be fairly simple. However, there’s nothing simple about having your child put to sleep for yet another surgery. As with the numerous surgeries prior to this one, I swallowed my fears, resumed my warrior mom persona, and recited the prayer for surgery. 

“Oh Heavenly Father, grant Yemayah joyful acceptance of the surgery which awaits her and let this be the relief and cure which she needs. Make skilled the work of the surgeon and that of his team for it is unto their knowledge and skill that I give my child for healing.”

Amen