sing like wildflowers

My full and kooky life as a homeschooling mommy to 2 great kids, raising a child with HLHS (Hypolastic Left Heart Syndrome), coping with depression, following Jesus, and being much too camera happy.

Woke up to this surprise on Ellis’ bed!

Thank you, Santa and Child Life!!

This was a very wonky Christmas for us and we weren’t sure if we’d make it home for Christmas. Doctors told us on the morning rounds that if Ellis could eat and drink without throwing up and be able to drink 4oz of fluid every three hours, that would give them the confidence she could do the same at home without getting sick.

Early morning lab draw
After the lab draw, results showed that Ellis needed more potassium and glucose. She opted for the syringe. She could’ve gotten it via IV, but she opted for the liquid medication since getting potassium via IV makes her veins feel stingy and painful. Supposedly, potassium is rough on the veins and it’s sometimes diluted with a regular IV solution. But she was done with anything connected to the IV. She would brave the salty yet fruity liquid medicine taste.

Around three o’clock, Ellis felt ambivalent about the whole discharge thing. And if I mentioned it, she would tell me to stop talking about it or I’ll jinx the whole thing. We had a fun and personable nurse to chat with and with whom we developed a great rapport during our stay, so whenever she came into our room it was jolly times for all of us, trying to squeeze in some humor and joy in tough times. She even left me coffee early in the morning with a sleeve of ice, since she knows I’ve been drinking iced coffee throughout our stay. Wow, her thoughtfulness was so special this Christmas morning! Thank you, K!!

All packed and ready to go. Waiting for final discharge orders

It feels amazing to be home and to plop down on the comfort of our couch! Chris fed us shrimp and meat saying we needed to regain our strength, but my chopsticks kept going for my comfort foods, mainly rice and kimchee. Now, our tummies are full and kids have opened their presents and are full of cheer. Feeling grateful and blessed!

God, thank you for this Christmas miracle and for the wonderful care we received at the hospital from attentive doctors and nurses. Even though we’re not too clear about how to prevent or abort future cyclic vomiting episodes when it starts, I have more tools in my box of know-hows, like new medications and acting quickly when before or right after it’s triggered. I have to trust my gut feelings when I feel something is not right with her and boldly take a step back from everything to attend to it.

For this coming week, we don’t have any special plans except for recovering from the craziness of hospital life and getting my eyes checked and Ellis’ follow-up appointment at the pediatrician’s office. Elliot will be going on his first away trip with his church youth group this week! New adventures for him before the year ends. As for me, I just want slowness, lots of naps, and time to be bored this following week.

Finally going home! On our way to the car.

Thank you everyone!! I hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy day!!

I am so grateful for all of you and you have blessed and uplifted me so much with your comments and prayers.

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21 responses to “We finally got discharged at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas day. Time for Christmas at home”

  1. Thistles and Kiwis Avatar

    So glad to hear you were all able to spend Christmas at home! All the best to you and your family.

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you! Kids got to open their presents in the evening and we were able to make some Christmas memories…an unusual one but still great nonetheless.
      Hope you had a wonderful Christmas in New Zealand!

  2. restlessjo Avatar

    Thank heavens you’re home! God bless πŸ€—πŸ©·

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you, Jo! So thrilled to be home. I’m not doing anything special, but just the comforts of home is wonderful.
      God bless you too! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. πŸ™‚

  3. Liz Gauffreau Avatar

    What a wonderful Christmas present!!!

  4. shoreacres Avatar

    Hooray! and tell Elliott I’m excited for him. I still remember my first field trip — we went to the state capitol in Des Moines — and it was such fun!

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      You’re right…we were hooraying for joy when we got the discharge news!!
      I will tell Elliot. He’s excited and a bit nervous too to try something new. But thankfully, Chris is going with him to chaperone. That should help with the anxiety. We want him to have a positive first experience! State capitol trips are so fun too. I went to Sacramento in 8th grade and had a blast.
      Thank you for your encouragement and hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

  5. LightWriters Avatar

    πŸ€—πŸ₯°β€οΈπŸ™πŸ™ŒπŸΌπŸŒ²β€οΈ So glad to hear you are home

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you! There’s no place like home, and you appreciate it much more after being in the hospital. Ellis is all smiles! Hope you had a merry Christmas. πŸ™‚

  6. heavenstobetty Avatar

    Wonderful news that Ellis was discharged on Christmas! πŸŽ„
    I wish you all a relaxing week!

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you, friend! It feels good to be back home and yes, we are ready to have a relaxing week.
      Hope you and your family had a great Christmas! πŸ™‚

  7. TD Avatar
    TD

    Good news for everyone

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you, TD! It was a crazy time to be in the hospital again. It was good news, and so timely too. πŸ™‚ Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Hugs!

  8. Linda Schaub Avatar

    I am glad you have a fairly quiet week ahead to catch your breath and also to finally celebrate Chris’ birthday too.

  9. rajkkhoja Avatar
    rajkkhoja

    Beautiful Christmas present! I am So….so happy Wonderful news that Ellis was discharged on Christmas! πŸŽ„πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ„πŸ₯³!
    I am glad to hear you were all able to spend Christmas at home! All the best to you and your family, Eshter πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ„πŸ₯³πŸ˜˜!

  10. DEVANG UPADHYAYA Avatar

    Good for Little E.

    Best wishes.
    Happy holidays πŸ₯³β›„

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you, Devang!! Happy new year!!

      1. DEVANG UPADHYAYA Avatar

        Happy new year

  11. Anisha Tasfi Avatar

    excellent

    1. singlikewildflowers Avatar

      Thank you!!

  12. Pepper Avatar

    Alleluia! So thankful that you made it home for Christmas. What a blessing. 😊

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