Where Were You.. ONE Year Ago Today... ??

I can tell you EXACTLY where we were… Standing on the opposite side of the PICU doors… thinking HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING TO US!  We were the ones that usually said, “you need to step out”… we were the ones who came through those doors to deliver news like, “ we are doing all we can, BUT we can’t seem to oxygenate him”… we were the ones who came out to say, “we need to fly your child to another institution as soon as possible but things don’t look good”… This can’t possibly be happening to us..

How did it all start off as a beautiful October day, a usual day at school, harassing Hope at Raymond’s baseball game, and then off to his own baseball practice… Where were the warning signs?  Where were the signs that in a few short hours he would be fighting for his life… & I would be begging God to let us hear his voice just one more time…

How could we be the ones waiting outside the doors of the PICU… their was NO fear of the unknown…  because we know first hand what happens on the other side of those doors…  we know what it means to be told to step outside...  we know what it means when the code cart is wheeled into the room… when doctors are running… Their was NO sugar coating this!!

How do I leave...  while Derrick waits for the helicopter to arrive… How do I go home to prepare Raymond & Caitlin for the worst & then leave them to head down to Washington…  The tug-a-war of emotion… two healthy hurting kids that need you emotionally to get through this… and one child on their death bed!!

This day is in bedded in my soul forever..  a day that not only changed me as a person but as a nurse.  If not for the amazing care that Devin received in both institutions he would NOT be here today!!

So here we are one year later...  Fresh as can be… spoiled rotten… and living large… We’ve had a few bumps in the road and some pit falls, but we are still going strong..  Today I am truly Thankful for the amazing, knowledgeable, kind, & compassionate group of people we came across on this day one year ago..  THEY SAVED HIS LIFE...  Thanks to ALL of you for your prayers and support without you all we would have been lost!!! 

ONE YEAR AGO.......

ONE YEAR LATER.....