horizon

It was still dark outside when our sweet night nurse tip-toed into our room to unhook the fluid and last iv line. My eyes cracked open to see her bent over Harper then they closed again for another hour. At dawn when I got up to help her go potty she was finally cord free!

A few hours later Dr. Q (I apologize Doc, his name is pronounced "Ker-ESH-i", I had it wrong earlier) and our day nurse worked together to remove the central line that has been taped to her leg for 12 days. Again I tried to distract her with stupid mom comments like, "Isn't this your favorite show? Which one are you? Show the doc your new necklace!" Anything to keep her distracted from the discomfort of having a large piece of clear tape peeled away from the skin near her groin area. Ouch! I stood up straight when I watched him carefully snip the black sutures, but my knees got a little woozy when he pulled out the long, thin tube from her vein. One fun band-aid later my girl was tube free! Only the three vital stickers remain on her chest and the magic red toe.

So far today she dressed in regular clothes, ate a yummy bacon breakfast, and walked down the hall and back. Today is a good day. Later today she will open up her shaky arms to embrace Baylor, a moment of much anticipation. I will have my family together again all in the same room. No cords. Just bound together with faith, love and joy! Pure joy, probably even tears of joy!

No word yet about when we will make that I-20 drive. I wanna call it the Highway 20 drive and then bust into the lyrics of my favorite song by Zac Brown Band. He isn't telling my story, but the chorus rings true. "I count the days, and the miles back home to you on that Highway 20 ride." Home sounds so good and it is even better knowing it is on the horizon.