Tongue Reduction Day 4

The Plastics Team came in around 7am and gave us the go ahead for HMae's extubation. Maybe because I was looking forward to it so much, a part of me was terrified they wouldn't allow it for one reason or another. The Green Team which was the team of doctors and nurses that were following her in PICU came in a few minutes later with a plan. They sent us off to breakfast so they could prepare for extubation. I don't think I have ever eaten that fast in my life! We flew up the elevators and stood patiently aside her bed waiting for the respiratory therapist to come in. He came in and did his business and what I thought was going to be an awful- horrible- terrible thing, totally wasn't! And then the nurse said "You can hold her, Mom" I died! I had no idea I would get to hold her that fast. Silently craving a little snuggle for days then this happened...

A few hours later she woke up and was ready to go. She was a whole new baby. And of course very feisty. Once those sedation meds wore off completely she tried time and time again to rip out her NG tube. The fire alarm suddenly rang and I turned my head to see what was going on outside our room and OUT it was! The little stinker. After that she played and played and played. The ladies from the Child Life Program came in to bring her some toys. They spent a little time admiring a take-along mobile we brought with us. I hope someday we can donate a few to them. I know how much they would appreciate having them.

 After she played all day it was time for a rest. I cannot explain how happy this last moment made me. I knew then that everything was going to be just fine. We had survived and a few short days later we would get to go HOME!