I'm sitting here typing with tears in my eyes for two reasons:

1. Like most parents, I hate to see my kids in any sort of pain and Tilly is obviously in a lot at the moment. 

2. I am the proudest dad in the World as she laughed with us until she fell asleep in the operating theatre, and she keeps asking me to tell her Head Teacher to throw away her wheelchair!

We started out at 5.30am this morning on our journey to Fairfax and surgery started at approximately 8.30am.  In case you haven't experienced it, and I then hope you never do, putting your child to sleep for major surgery is an awful experience. 
The difference to the build up this time was clear to me and Debra in that we are being treated as human beings here, unlike in the awful system back home.  The guy in the operating Team who originated from London delayed his vacation by a week so that he could be a part of today with Tilly, as did his lovely partner.  In addition they delivered a bag of English sweets and a card to Tilly whilst she was waiting, not to eat pre-surgery of course!!!  One of the box's of sweets we had never seen before, and I hope I never see again!  The reason, they were Harry Potter jelly beans with the most revolting flavours and Tilly decided that I should eat them, one-by-one, without knowing the flavour(s).  I gagged; ear wax, vomit, grass, dirt, pepper and sausage among the list of flavours I had to eat, which made Debra and Tilly cry with laughter!!!  If I had taken the sardine flavour, which Debra took away, I would have definitely been ill.

The surgery and re-splinting took 6-7 hours today so she has had a very long and uncomfortable day.

Tilly is now recovering in Intensive Care, whilst taking a range of pain relief medications including morphine.  She has a new hip-spike in place which will remain for 3-4 weeks to keep the hips firmly in place.

She has a long way to go yet but I know she has the spirit to get there.

All the best to you all, got to get back to the room.

Colin

We left the Inn this morning at 5.30am to travel to the Fairfax Hospital in Virginia for the long awaited surgery.  We kept Tilly busy and amused the previous day to keep her spirits high and she responded really well.  Also she ate well, 3 lamb chops, mash and broccoli which helped her to fall asleep by 9.30pm. 

On arrival at the Hospital I went with Tilly through to the pre-op area and the surgery team came to meet us.  Dr Reign (Tilly calls the magic man, and he is) introduced us to his Team which included a guy from London whom he thought would make us feel at home.  Dr Reign and his Team were wonderful with us and Tilly was so brave and happy right up until the gas and air took effect.  I must admit although I was happy she was comfortable, I cried my eyes out leaving her asleep as it is a horrible feeling.

After four anxious hours Dr Reign came to find us and he informed us that the Team were so happy with the surgery to correct Tilly's hip that was completely dislocated.  I was shown x-rays of the pre and post condition and I must say that the Team were all so ecstatic at the results.  They also explained that the other hip would need to be done in 3-4 weeks time as the pressure on the badly damaged hip could cause complications. 

Tilly was transferred to Intensive Care where she remains in the short term and I have just left her asleep as she is very tired.  The control of the pain post-surgery has been difficult, but they are doing everything possible within their means and you feel confident in their genuine approach.

Debra took Oliver back to the Inn late this afternoon as he was very tired and confused.  We did not want him to see Tilly in ICU as she is suffering and it is very distressing for anyone let alone a 4 year old child.

Tilly wants to go home and keeps telling me how much she is missing her friends.  Thanks to all her kind friends for keeping in touch with her via email, she loves reading all of them.

Tilly is currently lying on her back in a cast from foot to chest and as you can imagine this will take some time in getting used to.

I gave her drink of water earlier, through a straw, and she said thanks Waiter!!!  A good sign that she is getting better!

Got to get back to the Room so thanks for reading Tilly's latest news.

Kind regards

Colin