Micah's Surgeries Day 10 & 11

Day 10-
We had a quiet Sunday morning at the hospital especially since Micah didn't get up a bunch during the night now that her IV fluids are off. We tried to watch the church service for GCC via livestream but the thing that makes computers have video capabilities like livestream and youtube was messed up (I called the info number) so we were out of luck. We did have a few visitors on Sunday which is always fun: Macy and Lindsey came by and our friends the Peays came by. Hallie wanted to take a pic with Micah to put on her shirt she'll be wearing when she runs the St.Jude half marathon in December. 

 

My mother graciously agreed to come up and stay with Micah overnight at LeBonheur so I could go home and get Haven ready for her first day of school Monday! I got home just before bedtime and was so excited to see my youngest two kids. Stone snubbed me but Haven was excited! Stone came around later, when I was singing to him and rocking him before bedtime. :) He took a really long time to fall asleep after that, but he's also been gone for a week to Gary's parents so he has to get reacquainted with his own bed I guess. Micah and Nana put on a movie in the hospital room and Micah promptly fell asleep. So grateful for good help!

Day 11- 
Homecoming! We were originally told 2-3 weeks and Micah is getting to go home at day 11! How awesome is our God??? Micah is being discharged today! So excited but yet sad to leave the hospital at the same time. Its been a really good experience, all things considered. On my way back to the hospital, I stopped and was robbed by purchased 2 dozen Gigi's Cupcakes to show our appreciation to the LeBonheur nurses and other staff. It was the least we could do, she was treated like a little princess most of the time!

Margarita, Midnight Madness, Strawberries&Champagne, Cinnamon Roll, Pink Princess to name a few

 

 

 

After the removed Micah's last surviving IV (the one we protected like the Rock) we packed up (and packed up and packed up and packed up) everything and had Micah wheeled downstairs. My mom drove us and other than a few jarring turns, Micah made the trip just fine!

We picked up take out from Kyoto per Micah's request for her FAVORITE: sushi (mmm...) then picked up our prescriptions from the pharmacy and made it home. My in-laws were here with the kids, so grateful for their help!
I was able to take and pick up my little Haven from her first day of Kindergarten, she was SO excited and she loved it! I can't believe she has started school. Where has the time gone?

Haven Elizabeth

Mom: Haven, I change my mind. Don't you want to stay home with Mommy and not go to school? I can be your teacher instead.
Haven: I want to go to school! I have to learn all the REAL stuff. I mean, I already know all the rock star stuff, now I just need to learn the real stuff, Mom."

Oh...okay? But she did love it! I hope she loves it for a long time!

Micah's Surgeries Day 9

Day 9-
We've made it 9 days since we first checked in and Micah had her anterior spinal fusion surgery! It only 4 days post-op from the 2nd surgery: the posterior spinal fusion and already Micah is exceeding our expectations! She sat in her chair 3 times today and also walked the hall 3 times, even if she hated every second of it! She's been taking oral pain meds for over 24 hours now so that's been great and they stopped her IV fluids in the middle of the night so she hasn't had to get up a ton to use the bathroom. She's eating normal food now although she hasn't had a huge appetite. She is really wanting sushi, so I'm guessing that will bring her appetite back when I can get her some! Favorite food since she was 2! :)
A couple of Micah's school friends came to visit today with their sweet mama's, Emma and Hayley. Shawn Crowdus brought Madison down for another visit before they were discharged later, and Micah's new band director Mrs.Perkins came by and everyone brought treats! It was a fun day and Micah got a couple of naps in between visitors and her chair sitting and walking the halls. She's shuffling and turning her feet in a bit but because her back curves were so bad, they affected her gait and now she's having to adjust. Hopefully it will all straighten out as she gets stronger!
Micah is definitely straighter! And taller. She says she still feels crooked and everything hurts so bad, but we now have proof the surgery worked! She and my youngest sister Abby (5'1" tall) were about the same height. Micah was 62" tall the day before the surgery. I can't wait for the next measurement!

Mom helping Micah stand next to Abby to compare heights. Look at those cute faces!

 My parents came again and brought my sister Abby plus several treats and at Micah's request: ChikFilA! She was excited about that! Gary had asked them to come stay with Micah for the evening so he could take me out to dinner! We've so enjoyed our weekly date nights and since we missed last weekend he insisted on getting me out of the hospital. After some resistance, I agreed and we went to one of our fave places Movie and Pizza in HarborTown since we were just down the street. We hit Cafe Eclectic afterwards for coffee and dessert as usual and he finished the evening by giving me 2 charms for my Pandora. He also told me the reasons behind choosing each one and it completely made my day! So thankful this man has stood by my side through all of this, it makes things so much easier! 

Gary's "I hate social media because it means I have to pose for even more pictures than ever" face.

 

Micah's Surgeries Day 8

Day 8-
Micah is on the move!

Looking at downtown Memphis

 We had a restless night because Micah needed help getting up to go to her potty chair every 2 hours and she decided she didn't like the way the nurse helped her get up so she wanted MOM to do it! Guess there's something about Mommy's touch, although she has already told me that I would never make a good nurse, haha! I have to say I'd agree with her! But we are both hanging in there. :) The great news is that Micah is up and down, with much assistance, but nevertheless she is UP! She even walked to the end of the hall (about 25 feet) with the help of her physical therapist, Tea. 
Tea has been so patient with Micah because she does NOT like to get up or move because of the pain and also the nausea and dizziness that comes with it! She had to sit in her special chair for an hour, which she hated but had to do it 2 more times Friday and hopefully it will get better each time. She also walked again but this time she walked half of the floor and back. Its a struggle and Tea does most of the work, but Micah is moving and that's a huge step. If someone had told me she'd be on her feet just 3 days after her second back surgery I would have doubted it!
We had several visitors today including pastor Trevor and Ernie and Barney. Our friends/neighbors the Adams came and brought lots of goodies, Micah was thrilled to see them and has been asking for them so that was a special treat! The McAuliffe's from our church visited and brought Micah the coolest "surgeon" Build-A-Bear complete with an X-ray chart and sparkly pink boots! The coolest part was that each of them wrote a Bible verse relevant to Micah's situation that they felt encouraging and put.them.inside.the.bear. I just love that! So its a Scripture Build-A-Bear! Totally cool! Gary came after work and Wendy & Rachel brought a yummy Mexican spread (with a special best cousin bonus, THANKS Wendy!) followed by Corrie and Jenna with cupcakes and a balloon! The cupcakes are staring at me right now as I type this. Calling to me..."eat me....." I can only resist for so long. I'm eating like a pregnant person in this hospital!!! To all my DAC folks reading this, you guys are in for it when I come back to teaching, we have some work to do! Just kidding! (not really).
We also had 2 special visitors Friday: sweet Madison from church had an appendectomy here and walked down from her room on the 10th floor for a quick visit with her Mom (get well soon, Madison!) and the "pet therapy" folks came in with Salley the dog. SUCH a sweet dog and Micah enjoyed it!

Pet therapy with Salley