There just aren't words to describe the joy we felt when Ellen (red head with Elly) called to let us know that Annie can come home..now, right now. Then, as the cherry on top, Dr. Navez had read her test and signed off on her being discharged. Dr. Navez was on when was admitted and gently introduced us to the NICU when we felt so lost and afraid. It was only fitting that she would discharge us. I secretly think that Annie was holding off until she came back from vacation.
After hearing the news, I/Elly honestly spent most of the day crying. Those tears said so much to me. Mostly I cried out of gratitude. We are so grateful for these angels who entered our life and saved our little girl. I remember being in the hospital and asking the preinatologist what her chances of survival were. Now she is sleeping in her bouncy seat while the cat pokes at her. I cried because I don't think I realized how much I had been holding my breath for the last 9+ weeks. Now I can breathe.
Dr. Wenger is our rock. She held me together on so many occasions that I can't begin to describe the strength she gave us. I remember when she entered the room after Annie decided it was time to come. I was so scared and just wanted to burst out in tears out of relief that she was there to take care of me (I'm not so good with letting people take care of me..). Then Annie came..not an hour after I realized these contractions were real. I was thrilled to hear her cry but frightened at how small she was.
Then I handed her over -this tiny precious thing- to perfect strangers. Strangers who knew what they were doing but seemed to talk in some strange foreign language. It was as if I took this helpless little one and dropped her off in a foreign country where I didn't even speak the language. So, they taught me. I read, I listened, I learned medical latin and they taught me that Annie was a special little girl who was going to make it and that I was not helpless (please note that Annie just did her 'power to the preemies' fist in the air thing from her bouncy seat that my NICU buddies are so familiar with).
Steve and I will never be able to convey how special this NICU family has become to us. The nurses and doctors who were so patient with us and held us together through so many scary times. We cannot forget all the other parents who we befriended along the way. It was thrilling to us that Kingston left the same day but we are sad to leave so many of our friends behind. We need to give a very special hug to Carmen, Jaeden and Artie who posted a prayer for Annie and her friends on their blog the day before Annie was released. You can't tell me that didn't work!
Finally, YOU. I have no idea how many people read this blog but I know the Annie, Steve, Luke and I were powered through every moment by the prayers and support that our friends, families, colleagues and even strangers offered every day.
Annie's story/blog will continue. Feisty Little Annie and her friends grows every day. It is our hope that through Annie's ongoing story we can share that prematurity happens; tiny babies are born well before their time but they MAKE it --with flying colors! Please don't feel alone and scared -we are here and happy to talk!
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