A year ago today, we were able to go home! It is hard to believe it has been that long. The days at the hospital were some of the scariest moments I have lived; however, I also have good memories.
At that hospital, was were my son came back to life. Those doctors and nurses gave us a chance for recovery. I know that for some families, that isn't the case, so I am incredibly thankful we have it.
When the day finally came, it was surreal. I was happy I was going to be able to have all three of my little bears together at home. It also meant I had to face the real world in our new reality. So there was a lot of fear, fear of the unknown; I feared if I was going to be strong enough to do this.
Leaving the hospital meant I had to care for my son, who required different things than before the incident.
We were going to leave behind our safe place. The 1:1 nurses that K had during the day would take him to explore the hospital. He loved to roll around in his wheelchair and scare the staff. We would dress him as a dinosaur and a superhero. He still remembers those times and asks when we could go again to play with them. I'm glad he doesn't see the hospital as a scary place.
My son made a little friend there. They had play dates that a child life expert arranged for them. They did karaoke, crafts, and games. Mostly they loved karaoke. His friend made my son a Backstreet Boys fan. LOL, they would always sing I want it that way. It was such an adorable thing to witness. We were leaving him behind as well.
Being at the hospital was hard. However, we tried to make it the best we possibly could. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure each child is as happy as they can, given the circumstances.
It was time to go home. When the nurse finally came with our discharge paper, he had tears in his eyes. He said the life on the 6th floor was leaving. He was our first nurse; he welcomed and said goodbye to us.
They have a tradition that when a kid leaves the hospital, all the staff at the entrance cheers for them; they clap and say goodbye.
As I am pushing my son's wheelchair and we see the staff waiting at the door for us. A knot in my throat forms. Tears start to pile up in my eyes. I am getting tears in my eyes now just writing this and returning to that moment. When we reach the staff, they all start cheering and clapping for K. The feeling I had to watch my son smile and be happy is indescribable. I was overwhelmed with joy, something I had felt for some time. His little friend was at the end of the line waiting to say goodbye. Both of them hugged one another, not wanting to let go. We could take pictures with him, and some nurses came to say goodbye. They showed so much care and love for K until the very end.
As the doors close to the elevator, reality sinks in. WE ARE GOING HOME!
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