The first full day back on the main floor was the first day that Nora did not have a fever.
“Doze peoples over in CICU? I’ll give dem someting to keep dem on dere toes!”
William was given clearance by our doctor to come visit, and was also reassured that he wasn’t developing an ulcer. He was feeling much better. We were so happy to see him!
“Is? Is dat really… you… Fodder?”
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
(Psalm 112:8 NIV)
Norns got her ND tube removed, her PICC line removed, AND she got to come off of the monitors. It was so nice to have JUST the oxygen line.
Nora was finally able to wear some clothes again! How sweet to see her in her pajamas!
Nora had been awake and happy for much of the day with minimal napping. I had been looking forward to another semi-restful night, assuming she’d be ready for some good stretches of sleep. I insisted that William go back home to get some sleep. Norns and I did just fine the night before, and we could do it again.
“Mmmmmyeah… Well… I’m just gonna go on ahead and stay up squealing and playing till 4:15 in the morning den.”
Yes, Nora (and Mommy) were up practically the entire night long. I was FINALLY fast asleep on the luxurious plastic chair pullout bed dreaming about shoes and glasses for some reason. (“So I have them.”) In what seemed like only a few minutes later I was being tapped on the shoulder by a nurse to let me know the rounding doctors were there. I jumped up in a semiconscious stupor and skittered over to the door to face the panel of professionals in my frumpy pajamas and floppy socks half on. I was trying to pretend that I was fully alert, that my hair wasn’t standing on end and that the light wasn’t punitively searing my eyes out. I nonchalantly smoothed my hair and listened as they discussed Nora’s current status, her medicines, their dosing schedule and prescriptions. When they told me they were okay with Nora being discharged today, I was given a sudden surge of energetic ambition! No mind that I just got 3 hours of sleep and certainly looked it — WE WERE GOING HOME!!!!
William was back on site at 8:45 AM. Discharge papers in hand, we were walking out the door 3 hours later — WITH OUR BABY!!!!!!
“Dis is kinda different?”
“Is dis my car???”
There were 2 big kids and a dear baby who were pretty excited to finally see each other:
First things first, this poor stinky baby hadn’t had a REAL baff in almost two whole weeks!!!
Naked cheekies!!!!!
So now we are home, trying to get re-acclimated to real life again, looking about us and taking rest in our safety. We made it through that fiery inferno!!!!
“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:13-18 NIV)
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’
(Zechariah 13:9 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
This makes my heart so happy. I have been praying for the day when she was able to go home. Thank God, He is good!
I have been thinking so much about all of you and praying for you during this difficult time. I am so happy and relieved she is home! It reminded me so much of our lives 5 years ago, which I shared with you some what before. Mary spent a total of three and a half months in Intermediate and the PICU here at Sacred Heart in Spokane. Our last week long stay was when she got RSV and the stomach flu, only a little over a month and a half after having gone through open heart surgery. Before that she had throat surgery and surgery for a gtube and fundo and had to have her heart surgery postponed due to parainfluenza. All before she was 4 months old. She was on oxygen and a feeding tube then too. I could understand well the feelings and experiences you have been writing about. We have three other children and it was so hard to not have all my children under one roof. This past summer we actually traveled to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for the bowel management program for one of my other children and we brought Mary along (she is my youngest and has Down Syndrome). I wish I had realized how close we were to you and had made a plan to meet up! I recognize the hall your husband is strolling down as you got to leave today. During that time 5 years ago my dear husband also had a health scare, which ended up being really bad reflux but we worried at one point he was having a heart attack. It is so very stressful on everyone! I still have some post traumatic stress from that time.
So glad you are all home. In the 1st bath photo Nora’s pupils look like little hearts!
So happy for you all! Thankful that God was there and remains beside you all each day. xoxo
I love Greta….lets get her in the bath!!!
SO Happy is my heart!! Prayers will continue for all of the blessings God can bestow on you!!! love and hugs…..
Praise God! His love is unfailing!
Nora Rose is such a trouper, fighter, inspiration, cutie, and SO MUCH more. The video of Gavin and Greta greeting her made me get a big ole smile on my face. How sweet was that? Prayers are always being sent for Nora Rose and your sweet family!
Happy tears! So very happy you are all home and healthy.
All for His glory. GOD has done it again. GOD bless you all.
This is my second time leaving a reply but want you to know we have your family on our prayer list at church. And I keep up with your post. You should see the faces when I give updates on how our GOD is taking care of your gift.
So glad you finally got to go home!