The moment the nightmare ended

Shortly before Brooklyn's surgery, the doctors gave her some medication to relax. She is so traumatized from the last month, we requested this to avoid another major OR meltdown.

She quickly relaxed, played her Shopkins game and waited for her pending surgery. Jay and I were a mess, every conversation with doctors over the last month skipping through our heads, every outcome flashing before our eyes, knowing that once again we were putting our little girl's life in the hands of others.

She couldn't form a cohesive sentence in the minutes before we moved into the OR, but let me tell you, she most certainly could once she rolled into surgery. She told every doctor off, saying they were meanies and she absolutely refused to lay down. The surgical team held her down while I rubbed her head and sang 'our song' to her, mask over her little face.

It was a moment that took my breath away.
I came out and fell apart in Jay's arms.

There was nothing left to do but wait.
And it hurt the greatest depths of my heart.

In the hours that followed, we were visited by nurses, child life specialists and other McMaster team members we met over the last few weeks. It really hit me then, that this wasn't just a terrible dream. We weren't making this a bigger deal than it was.

It also hit me that we had the entire McMaster professional team routing for us.
For her. For a positive outcome.

Our social media pages were oozing with prayer offerings, energy dedications and words of love and faith.

It was overwhelming.
I was totally numb.

And then, it happened.

Brooklyn's surgeon came out to see us.
Much earlier than anticipated, Jay and I flew out of our chairs.

She looked at us so calmly and said,
"I removed it. I was able to remove all of it. As far as I can see, 100%"

I was stunned.
I felt my knees get weak.

I told her she was incredible, to which she replied it wasn't that big of a deal. She knew the tumour was friendly and she knew she could do it.

To her, it was science.
Training. Skill.

To us, it was miraculous.
Prayers answered. A new beginning.

Our daughter, our little Warrior Princess, was going to be ok.

In the next hour, we were visited by her other surgeons, who were proud to say they also agreed that 100% of the tumour was removed. I hugged them so hard, I probably scared them.

Lastly, our oncologist popped in. Her words went like this,

"You better consider going on that vacation after all."

You can't even imagine the tears that followed.

#TeamBrookie #WarriorPrincess

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Brooklyn is still admitted at McMaster, and she's moving through the ups and downs of post-operative recovery. While this week has been exhausting and difficult, we're confident she will make a full recovery in the weeks to come. Final pathology will be available in another ten days or so, at which time we hope to hear Brooklyn will only need to be monitored regularly and not undergo any further treatment.

Thank you for your continued prayers and love. xo