We bid you farewell

Friday night we left the hospital around 9 pm to spend our last night at home alone.  Yes, that's right we were three days away from bringing Lucy home.  I can't even believe I get to write this update.  Honestly this day is a long time coming.


Saturday morning we arrived at the hospital to do our forty eight hour room in.  This has become a mandatory step in the discharge of babies from the PSHU.  The doctors were finding that parents were not prepared for the care of the child when the discharge day arrived.  I have to say that is definitely not us.  We have been at the hospital for 96 days and in that time we have spent at the least 6 hours a day at the hospital, but most of the time more.  The last twelve days one of us has been in Lucy's room almost 24 hour days (with the exception of a two nights at home just to sleep).  The last two days we have taken care of Lucy ourselves as much as we were able in a hospital setting.  We started using her feeding pump so we are familiar and have drawn and given most of her medications.  Sunday night we had our CPR class and then Dr. Van Bergen came in to speak with us about discharge.  We went over red flags, medications, doses, side effects, formula and who to contact for emergencies. The last thing he said 'you will be her doctor, nurse, therapist, but most importantly you will be her parents'.  Weird how it is exactly what we wrote last blog post.   It was finally starting to sink in.  Our last night in the hospital.....what a crazy unpredictable journey, but we would do it all again to bring Lucy home.

This morning the doctors rounded and put in the official order for discharge.  In true Lucy fashion, she is having one of her days.  She has cried most of the morning and we were worried they would decide to keep us another day.  We were able to get a couple smiles out of her.

As we pack up the room to leave I'm overcome with emotion.  Excited to be going home, scared to leave the comfort of the nurses and unsure of what our future holds, but most important overjoyed to actually feel like family.  Once we are settled we will open the doors for visitors.  Please know we want everyone to meet her but doctor's orders are to limit her contact for her safety so at times we may say today is not a good day for a visit.  We cannot thank all of you enough for following us through this part of our journey, for the prayers and well wishes.  Act one may be over, but we have plenty more on the horizon.