Day 4: home sweet home!

It was a long day today. Scarlett had one last dose of chemo before discharge today. She tolerated it very well. Her hemoglobin level was still low and she was showing symptoms such as tiredness and crabbiness. So her discharge was delayed while she got another transfusion. We were finally discharged at 4:30 pm. After a quick stop at the pharmacy (for 10 medications) we had to make one last trip to see the fish. She was so sweet and tried to kiss the fish good-bye (as Brock and I screamed NO! GERMS!). When we finally got home, the little stinker didn’t want to get out of the car. She cried all week to come home and play and then cried for 10 minutes to go back to the doctor.

Tate was very excited to see us home. He tried all night to get a hug from Scarlett. “Carlett, can I give you a hug?” “Carlett, how do you feel?” Finally, at bedtime we read a story together and Scarlett snuggled in bed with him and give him multiple hugs and kisses. It made me cry just to see how relieved he was that Scarlett still loved him. It seemed like he matured five years in five days. He was so caring and protective of Evie tonight. Every time she asked for something, he was right there to get it. He shared his toys. He asked her if she was hungry. He is obviously worried that we are leaving again but we are reassuring him with lots of hugs and kisses. He is trying very hard to understand what is going on.

Evie seems to have matured also. She is talking better, playing with bigger toys and sharing and really engaging with Tate. She wasn’t as excited to see Scarlett but did try to give her hugs and kisses. She has such an amazing personality and can make us laugh so easily. She is always go go go and never slows down. The girl definitely makes us laugh!

We are so happy to be home. I can’t wait to sleep in my bed! But we are so scared. Everything is up to us now. We could rely on the nurses and doctors to do everything but comfort. Now we have to remember medications four times a day, care for a PICC line, keep everything around her clean, watch for signs of infection/illness, and take care of two other kids and ourselves on top of that. We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors to help with meals and family to help with the rest. It’s still scary to know that one infection and she will be back in the hospital.

Tomorrow is another day. It will be great to spend it with the ones we love!