Nica's SDR Journel Our families journey through Nica's rhizotomy surgery and recovery

So on Saturday morning we were told that Nica’s Leave Of Absence had gone through and we could therefore take her of campus for a few hours. This was the first time she’s been outside since January 5th. It was the day of the Gasparilla kids parade but we didn’t feel like sitting crowded outside. For those that don’t know, Gasparilla  is when Tampa Florida celebrates it’s history with José Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. He lived c. 1756 – 1821, and was a purported Spanish pirate, the “last of the Buccaneers,” who is claimed to have raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His legend is celebrated every year in Tampa with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Next weekend is the grown ups Gaspirilla celebration. They sail into port with a recreation of an old pirate ship with full rigging and everything. It really is kind of cool. But not so cool as to get us to just sit and suffer claustrophobia. Instead, we decided to go to MOSI. We all had a great time and it gave Nica a chance to blow off some steam and just have fun. She played an assortment of musical instruments but her favorite by far was the drum set. Check out the video at the bottom for some clips. She also played in the various grocery and restaurant play areas. The best was when we got her to crawl through some of the “cave” sections. I know I recorded that too because I had to shoot using my camcorders night vision just to see her in there and make sure she wasn’t stuck. However, I can’t seem to find the video any where. Tammy said we’ll have to go back and do it again. We went through most of the museum and they had to kick us out right in the middle of Nica playing a life size version of Operation. The buzzer sounded almost constantly but Nica was convinced she was a great surgeon. I told her with a bit more of OT she probably could be.

By the time we got back to the hospital, it was time for Nica’s bath and nearly bedtime as well. We said goodnight to Mommy, sissy, and Ms Megan knowing we would see them in the morning. Morning came and brought with it OT with a new person we hadn’t met before. She was very nice but I can’t remember her name. Nica couldn’t stop yawning all morning the poor girl just couldn’t get enough sleep. Once she had her morning yogurt and chocolate milk she starting to liven up. A good thing too, since it was about to be a busy day. We’d known that Grandpa and Tutu were thinking about coming over on Sunday, we’d just found out that Grandma and Papa were now coming today as well, and we’d found out on Saturday that Grandpa Joe and Grandma Kathy were coming out today also. With that kind of a line up you just know that Nica’s in for a good time.

She had so much fun playing with everyone. It was nice that every ones arrivals and departures were staggered a bit. It gave Nica time with every body and she didn’t get the shock of everyone leaving at once. Once Grandparents day was over we had a little bit of time left before we had to say goodbye to Mommy and Anne. It was great while they were here but it just went by way to fast this weekend.

I think they left around 5 or 5:30 and by 6:30 Nica had passed out. Curiously though, at 7:10 she woke up screaming and crying for a yummy banana. I have no idea why but she wouldn’t let it go. I told her nurse that I was going down to the cafeteria to see what I could find and to please keep an eye on her. I hustled and made it back in under 15 minutes, which is good if you know how far the caf is from our room. I was armed with 2 bananas and 2 strawberry yogurts. I just had a feeling about the yogurt and as it turns out, I was right. Once she finished her yummy banana, she asked for yogurt. She downed that and 4oz of juice and then went back to sleep. Next, it was my turn.

Beat Drums, Beat Drums! video