Hospital History

Today Odette surprised us all by making her counts go from 0.1 to 0.6!  This meant that she was able to go home.  Of course I was very excited, so when the nurse told me at 5:00 in the morning, I almost called and woke everyone up!  I was packed and ready by 9:00 so when the Dr. came in he said, "I guess I am a little late to give you the good news!"  Odette new that something was up because she played, for the most part, happily in her crib while I took two wagon loads of stuff out to the car.  After I took all our stuff out to the car, it was Odette's turn to ride in the wagon.

  She was very excited to sit and play in the wagon while we waited for everyone to do their part so that we could leave.  While waiting, I was very emotional.  Of course I want to be at home with my sweet family, but the nurses here at the hospital have become part of my family.  They have loved us, cared for Odette like she was their own and watched her grow up from infant to toddler.  (She is going to walk soon!)  For some, I know more about the nurses and their lives than I do with my own real family.  I love all the staff at PCMC.  They are truly terrific!  Finally the heprin flush was sent up and we were able to unhook Odette.  I signed our release papers and we went out into the hall...the first time in over a week!

Since it was Odette's last in-patient chemo, it was her turn to ring the bell to say she had made it.  I was already tearing up and to see the smile on her face and see how excited she was to ring that bell made my heart overflow.  As she rang the bell, all the nurses in today came to cheer and say farewell.

Odette didn't want to stop ringing the bell, even though it says to ring it three times.  To her it was an exciting new toy that she was disappointed she hadn't discovered earlier.  What an awesome feeling to know that our stays in the hospital are history.  (Providing we don't get any fevers.)  We are moving on to our brighter tomorrow that I often thought would never come.  In a few short weeks, Odette will be completely done with her treatment and be able to say, "I did it!  I am strong enough!"  Farewell to our great new friends.  We will never forget you.  You will be a part of our hearts forever!

(And of course we will be back for visits...wouldn't want you to miss her laughter for very long and I know she will want to show off her new pigtails!)