Home at Last!!!

I did not get an update posted last night because we were finally at home and our beds were calling our names! Katie and I were both in bed by 9:30pm and we shamelessly slept until just before 10am! To finally be at home, in our beds, and with no interruptions was the best thing ever. 

Yesterday morning at the Sanford Castle, Katie had her final x-ray and IV antibiotic and by 1pm, we were loading the car to head for home. We stopped at Lewis to get a couple of things that Katie would need for where her chest tube was as well as an O2 sensor for peace of mind, and some Dramamine for me since I was still dealing with a migraine and nausea because of how bad it was. We also stopped at Subway because Katie was SO hungry for "real food" as she said. Apparently, her Chinese fix has taken a break! We had to stop for gas, and so it was close to 3:00pm by the time we got home. My mom drove us home in her Buick, and if you know my mom, you know why it took longer to get home. Haha! 

The first thing Katie did when we got home was find her kitty, Flicka, and gave her lots of love. Flicka was so excited to see her! She kneaded, purred, and licked her little girl who she had missed so much. Then Katie went outside to see her lambs. We had one set of lambs born early a few weeks ago, and they honestly didn't look like they were going to make it. But Katie worked with them every day, and the one especially who couldn't get up or walk the best on its own, she worked with extra. Within a few days, the lambs were doing great, and you wouldn't have even known that they were premature. Andy had put them into the community pen while we were gone, and Katie was worried that the lamb wouldn't remember her. When she walked up to the gate, the lamb ran right up to her and started nibbling on her fingers. I couldn't believe it! She was so happy that the lamb had remembered her, and she was so excited to see how he'd grown. After all of that excitement, we came inside to just relax before my grandma brought the boys home as she had been watching them while Andy worked. 

That night, our house was loud and busy and back to the craziness. It was wonderful. <3

Today, Katie had a check-up with her regular pediatrician since she's scheduled to be gone all next week, and we wanted to see her sooner rather than later. As we drove into Yankton and past the airport, all the events of last Thursday came flooding back into my mind and the tears started falling. When we drove past the hospital and then into the clinic parking lot, the same thing. When it was Katie's turn to be seen, Dr. Larson came to the front with her arms open wide. She gave Katie and I hugs and of course, tears were falling again. This amazing doctor had literally saved our daughter's life and I could never say thank you enough. Everything looks really good on Katie, but it will take a while for her to get back to her complete self. Our doctor thought about three months. She told us of things to watch for to make sure that Katie doesn't begin to go backwards, and instructed Katie to take it easy over the next few weeks. She also told her that she went through a lot, and that's it's OK if she has to ask for extra help and support because of the emotional trauma this can cause. We will be forever grateful to our doctor and the entire staff at Yankton Medical Clinic and Sacred Heart Hospital. They are truly the best. <3

Tonight, my little family is all together again, and it makes this momma's heart so happy. I really wanted Katie to take it easy this weekend, but she is bound and determined to go to church with me on Sunday. She told me that she needs to hear the Word. Can you tell she's a PK? :) 

I still ask for your prayers for Katie as she continues to heal, and that even though it's going to be a slow process, that she takes it in stride and heals completely and wholly. She is such a fighter and such a strong little girl, and it makes us so happy to see how far she's come. Even though this has been an awful experience, we still see so much good that has come out of it. One example of this is to see just how powerful prayer really is. I truly believe that without prayer and God's healing power, we wouldn't be where we are. Katie was touched by so many people who prayed, and God answered those prayers. And for that, all we can say is thanks be to God! Amen!

My plan going forward is to continue to post to this site every few days or so as Katie sees doctors in the next few weeks for rechecks, and after that, updates to my personal Facebook page. 

My prayer is that throughout all of this, you have seen the power of prayer and the amazement of God's healing power and that through Him, all things are truly possible. We are so, so, so thankful to everyone who has loved, supported, and cared for Katie and our family throughout this past week and a half. As our doctor said of Katie, she truly is a miracle of a little girl. <3

~Andy & Mindy~