Day 8 - Children's Hospital & Going Home!

Today, we finally got the green light to go home!!!! We are excited and anxious to be home. I know I will sleep better there. I have been averaging 4-5 hours of sleep total every day. Our family will be together again and will soon have our old routine back to normal. The accommodations here at Children's are exceptional, but it's definitely not home. Being a nursing mom, I receive complimentary meal coupons three times a day to use at the cafeteria as well as a nice pumping room complete with microwave, recliner and hospital grade Medela Symphony pump. I've been spoiled with the convenience. The baby floor where we are currently staying has a HUGE playroom for little ones up to age 3. This, of course, is available to children who are not isolated. Elsie is isolated with her viral sickness and weakened state, but I have met others on this floor who have completely different noncontagious issues. Here at Children's they separate patients based on age and not diagnosis. The older kids are on another floor so that they can have age appropriate activities and toys too.

Overall, the experience has not been ideal or desired, but we have learned so much about the hospital and Elsie's sickness. It's the kind of experience that makes you want to keep your children in a giant bubble and never be exposed to illness. Unfortunately, the exposure is the only thing that makes your child stronger and better immune in the days to come. Handwashing and the respect for keeping germs to yourself has never seemed more important. Bottom line: if you don't feel well, don't expose yourself - especially to small children who are very vulnerable.

I will post a few pictures to these blogs after returning home. (I do not have my camera cord here...)

Thanks AGAIN to our family, friends and coworkers. I cannot say this enough! Whether you have offered to help or just expressed your concern, we have appreciated it all. God bless!