A walk to remember

Sadie walked out of the hospital today. We had to take a few breaks on the way out, but she walked out. 

Her team came to me quietly yesterday and said that IF her labs came back well, and IF her levels remained in the green, and IF she had a good, uneventful night that MAYBE they would think about letting her leave the hospital. So as test by test came back good yesterday I waited, and when they came yesterday afternoon to remove her pacer wires, I held my breath a little, and as I went to sleep last night I hadn't packed a single thing yet. When I woke up this morning and heard the news: Sadie had an amazing uneventful night I almost got excited. When her transplant team rushed by this morning and said "she looks good, let us confirm some things we will be right back-" I waited. When the CICU team came in and verified her medication, and checked all of their boxes for discharge I started to pack- and in the middle of it I heard it- that one thing "She didn't get 730 labs done this morning" and my heart sank a bit. Her labs have to be done at 730 - not 8, not a quick fix, 730am or bust in order to measure the timing of her medication in her system. Every face in the room fell. 

And then something incredible happened. Every single person there started to figure out how to pull every string they have access to in order to get this lab done tomorrow morning- on a Saturday when all the labs are closed- and they did it. They jumped through all the hoops for her- so Sadie could walk out the doors today. So when transplant came back and gave the go ahead- all Sadie had to do was sit back and have her PICC removed and then put on her clothes- her actual clothes- a tshirt and skirt she picked out to walk out in. Shoes. She hasn't worn shoes since June. She put on shoes today. As she walked out of her room the hallway was lined with her nurses and doctors and techs and every worker she's touched and they had pom poms they waved for her as they celebrated her walking out the doors.

Today Sadie walked out of the hospital.

We will stay here in Gainesville for the next four weeks. Now starts Sadie's clinic time. We report to the transplant clinic for testing and monitoring during that time- and we see where it takes us. 

Today- God brought us to the next step.