October 29 Update – Surgery Day Reflections

🗓️ October 30th Update – What Surgery Day was like, and Day After Reflections

Mood: So many emotions, all at once — devastated, angry, cautiously optimistic, grateful, humbled, hopeful. Chloë prepared as much as anyone can, let alone a 16-year-old facing something this big. We’ve been moved to tears by the outpouring of love and generosity from our community — messages, meals, cards, quiet gestures that remind us we’re not alone. At home, we’ve tried to soak in every moment together — the four of us (six if you count the dogs), breathing non-hospital air, sleeping in her own bed, playong a board game the four of us, colouring with some recently gifted art supplies. Chloë had a few things she wanted to do during what she called her “farewell to the foot ' weekend.This included  

 a visit to the falls, the bridge over which we cross over every time we go to the hospital, and we did our best to make them happen. It’s been emotional, but also grounding.

Medical Update: Early last week, we received the call from The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) — right beside our secnd home - the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) — confirming the date of Chloë’s amputation surgery: October 29.  Last week we were back and forth to CHEO several times, including visits to the Orthopedics unit and off-site pre-admission testing TOH has near their Civic campus.  Monday, we had a call with her plastic surgeon, following earlier meetings with the anesthesiologist and the surgical team who will handle the post-amputation care.  Both  TOH and CHEO have been exceptional — thoughtful, thorough, and kind. Last week at Orthopedics, our fantastic team walked us through what to expect, answered every question, and made sure Chloë felt seen and heard. It’s a lot to process, but we feel supported every step of the way.

Emotional Check-In: As you might logically assume, or feel yourself in reading this blog, we are all emotionally exhausted - the dogs included.The highs and lows come fast and hard, and some days feel heavier than we can carry. But we’ve also been overwhelmed — in the best way — by the outpouring of love and support. Not just from close friends and family, but from our Barrhaven neighbours, Justin and my PSPC (Public Services and Procurement Canada) friends and colleagues, Chloë's friends, be it at JMSS or beyond and the incredible MHES community that surrounds Charlotte. Teachers, classmates, parents — all lifting us up in ways we’ll never forget. We’re trying to find a silver lining in every day. Even in the darkest moments, there’s been humour — a joke from Chloë, a funny memory, a shared look that says “we’re still here.” It’s not easy, but we’re holding on to those glimmers wherever we can.

Moments of Light: We want to give a heartfelt shout-out to the incredible Child Life specialists at CHEO. They arranged something truly special for Chloë — a mold of her foot to keep forever, and last week, a “foot fashion shoot” in Media House to help her mark the moment with creativity and pride.They, along with the incredible nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing and medical students, our social and case worker,  have become like  extended members of the family. At home, the love has continued to pour in — daily surprises on our doorstep, calls, texts, thoughts, prayers, good vibes. Chloë wanted to do a “Farewell to the Foot” weekend, and we did our best to make it happen. We visited Hog’s Back Falls and park, had food from her favourite Thai place, picked out a new LEGO set she could put together whilerecovering.It was all about loading up on non-hospital food, fresh air, and time together. These moments — big and small — have helped us breathe through the heaviness and find joy where we can. Next up to look forward to-which is possible despite everything,  is Halloween trick or treating around the hospital, where the staff and patients alike are encouraged to dress up.  Chloë's got a witches dress like that of one of the Sanderson Sisters from the Hocus Pocus movies. Details to follow in the next update. 

Hog’s Back Falls — part of Chloë’s farewell weekend, soaking in fresh air and fall colours.

Reflections: We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: we are so fortunate to live in this city. CHEO isn’t just a hospital — it’s a lifeline, a community, and a place where children are treated with dignity, creativity, and care. This morning at The Ottawa Hospital, the staff went out of their way to be kind — not just professionally kind, but humanly kind. They saw Chloë not just as a patient, but as a teenager facing something enormous. That matters more than we can say.

We’ve also learned a few things along the way. For example: hospital elevators are an adventure -some the size of a shoebox, others you could dance in. We've also learned that if you arrive after 8:30-9am ish, its like the Hunger Games finding a wheelchair, and parking spot. We’ve become experts in navigating hospital menus, identifying the best vending machines, how to get to the Tim Hortons at TOH from CHEO without going outside and packing snacks that don’t crumble under pressure. But mostly, we’ve learned how deeply rooted kindness is in this city — from Barrhaven neighbours to hospital staff, from Charlotte’s school community to strangers who’ve reached out with love.

Today is a big day. We’re scared, but we’re not alone. We’ll carry your messages, your prayers, and your good vibes with us into the operating room and beyond. Thank you for walking beside us. We’ll update when we can — and in the meantime, we’re holding tight to each other and to the light you’ve helped us find.

💛 With love and gratitude,
Chloë’s Mom, dad and sister