HOME!!!

I don't know that I can quite put into words my feelings of yesterday, but here's a try.  It was a very special day.  I'll mention a few highlights.  Lydia woke up free of fevers and happy so this meant she could come home.
Dr. Book, who is Lydia's liver doctor, paid us a farewell visit.  We briefly talked about the long, scary road Lydia has had over the past five weeks and we shed some tears together.  My heart was full as I thanked her for what she has done for Lydia.  I am so grateful for the great well of knowledge that she has.  I feel very blessed that she is Lydia's doctor.

Lydia came home with 17 meds, an NG feeding tube, wound care supplies, oxygen and a blood pressure machine.  I am very grateful for the GI team working so hard to make it so she could come home with these things and not have to wait until she was less complicated.  They worked hard to simplify her care at home and make it as cost effective as possible for us.  They have really gone the extra-mile for Lydia and our family.  

Lydia's face lit up when she saw my mom and Parker who came to pick us up.  She was cheerful as she experienced a lot of "firsts" (in 5 weeks).  My mom got her dressed, I carried her down to the first floor where she got to see the fishies that she loves, I carried outside and put her in her carseat in the car, she came into our house and got lots of loves from the kids, she sat on the carpet and in the highchair and played with her toys.  The only thing she seemed really unhappy about was going to sleep in her bed.  She just wanted to keep playing.

As we turned up our road, I was overcome with emotion as I saw the yellow balloons dotting the street and many balloons and yellow ribbons decorating our house and yard.  Thank you dear friends for sharing in our excitement with such a loving welcome for Lydia.  I feel like she doesn't just belong to us, but to all of you who love her so much.  She has worked her way into many hearts.

Lydia and I walked into a spotless home (thank you Mom, Brian and kids), we enjoyed a delicious dinner together (thank you Nelson's) and we revelled in being back together as a family for the evening.