Caydence: Home at last!

Caydence was finally discharged from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital today! After 5 1/2 months of being stuck in that hospital and living such a crazy life, it feels great to be home. The whole time Caydence has been in the hospital it has been the thought that we would never get out of there and make it home. Now it feels like leaving came so fast. We knew we would be discharged today and Caydence would have an ambulance ride home, but it didn't really feel real anjd hit us until we were getting ready to walk out the door. This past week we have been saying our goodbyes to the wonderful nurses, doctors, RT's, and everyone in the hospital that we have had the pleasure to get to know. As we said our goodbyes it never felt like we were really leaving, I just kept thinking that something was going to happen and we wouldn't be able to leave. Today rolled around faster than I thought and we were hurrying to pack up Caydence's colorful room and trying to say some more goodbyes. It really hit me when everyone started getting emotional about Caydence leaving. Even though this situation that we have been through has been extremely challenging in all aspects, this has really opened our eyes to so much more. Going through something like this makes you look at life in a different perspective. Today was such an emotional day for us and for the great friends we have made. It felt so good seeing how much everyone really cares for Caydence and for us. It was so nice hearing everyone say how happy they are for us and that they know we will do a great job at home taking care of Caydence. I knew that everyone loves Caydence and that they are going to miss her, but it showed so much more as we were loading her up in the ambulance today and getting ready to take off for good. We are so thankful to everyone at LPCH that has been a part of our life over these last 5 1/2. We have the best doctors, nurses, and RT's that anyone could ask for and that really means more to us than anything. I have to admit that being home now really isn't what we thought. We definitely understand now why everyone was so scared to send us home. There really is so much that goes into being home with a baby with a trach and vent. It was crazy from the moment we walked in the door and took Caydence off that gurney. Being at the hospital you had everything at your fingertips, and at home (especially the first day home), you have to figure out where things are and what to do next. Getting used to the new equipment and set up was pretty difficult. Nothing happened that we couldn't handle, it was just being in a different environment and trying to get things organized and meeting home nurses and going through equipment and just everything. It was crazy. This is definitely going to take some getting used to and some good organization to get through this. Even though this is crazy and going to be so much hard work, I don't regret leaving for a minute. It is the best feeling being home with my whole family under one roof. All this is only going to get better as time goes on and we get all the stuff we need and get adjusted to it.