Thursday, November 20, 2008

Home is where the Heart is, Shimmy's heart that is.

When we got to the hospital this morning, they said they were sending us home at around 11 or noon. I went to work for about 90 minutes and then came back to help Laura pack up and BOOM we were home by 12:10 pm. Evidently they really needed to boot us out b/c they had so many post op admissions coming in.
Dolores, who works the front desk on days, make an announcement over the ICU loudspeaker that Simon was leaving and anyone who wanted to see us off should go see us. We ended up with about 10 visitors!

Simon started smiling as soon as we got in the car and has hardly stopped since. He grinned as we drove down in the parking structure. He smiled while he watched Roxie.
But he really smiled when he pulled his NG tube out less than 2 hours into being home. Stinker. I ran for the camera to get a non-noodle-nose picture. Here he is.

He took a nap, threw up here and there and we went on 2 walks around the neighborhood to see local shopowners and such.

I took a bath with him tonight and literally for 20 minutes he barely stopped smiling. He splashed and played with toys and would look up at me and grin and go back to splashing. I (like a dummy) am surprised by how happy he is. I think I thought he a) wouldn't notice or b) would be so used to the hospital that this transition would be hard on him. We'll see how tomorrow goes, but so far, he's a grinning fool. Only one projectile vomit (that Roxie promptly cleaned up). Blech. It *is* good to have a dog, though, in situations like that :-)
It looks like a pharmacy exploded in our house. There are syringes and bottles and tubes and crap everywhere. I'm itching to get lots of containers tomorrow.
We're both a little weirded out by the fact that we're about to go back to having interrupted nights of sleep. One of the silver linings of this whole thing has been that we've typically gotten 8 or so hours of sleep. Those days are likely over for a while. I'll take it.
This morning, one of the cardiologists saw Laura and said, "We didn't think he'd make it this far. This is a VERY big day.". That about sums it up. I keep saying that no matter what happens, getting to this point is a victory. Two months and even 2 weeks ago when he was so sick again, I really wasn't sure if we'd ever see this day. Simon is the hardiest little weed I've ever seen...
It's all very surreal and so, so beautiful.

20 comments:

Krista said...

FABULOUS!!!! I can't wait to see all three of you in the neighborhood!
xoxoxo,
Krista

NYCAvafl said...

Thanksgiving Day came early ~ and the best guest has come home! When we reflect on what we are grateful for next Thursday you can be sure that Simon will top our list.

Sending much love from Boca!

Carol, Pat and Katie
(Z and Cecelia, too!)

Eleanor Chrom said...

Halleluliah!!!!!!! What a wonderful Thanksgiving., Xmxas , Chanukah ,, all the holidays and future rolled into one.
All our love, Ellie and Sol.

Fresh Ground Knits said...

this comment through my tears. I'm so excited for you both, words cannot explain. I love you! Welcome home Simon!

Rebecca said...

I'm so happy to hear that Simon is home! I've been following your story and I added Simon Lev to our synagogue's prayer list; I don't even know you, but I feel like jumping through the computer screen and giving you all a big hug. May you all be blessed with good health and happiness!

Unknown said...

That is great news!

Not-so-Suburban Mama said...

WELCOME HOME, SIMON! How absolutely fantastically wonderful. He looks so delighted -- I especially love the tube-less picture ... what a smile!! I wish we all still lived on your street so that we could introduce your boy to our girl.

Continuing to send healthy, healing thoughts your way.

Polly said...

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it, I'm about to lose control and I KNOW I like it. Imagine me jumping around singing in the gym while my students look at me like I am crazy.

Sol said...

Is he on skates yet? I can teach him the can-opener, the face-wash and the neutral-zone trap, but he's gonna have to learn basic puck-handling on his own.

Lori Petro, TEACH through Love said...

So excited to hear. We friends of Auntie Jen's have been following Shimmy's journey and so happy to hear that he's home. -xo, lori, nick & maia luna

Sara said...

It was so lonely without you guys in bed 23. I felt a little miffed when I saw someone else in "your" spot. But I couldn't be happier that you are home - finally!! YAYAYAY!! When are you coming for a civilian visit??

Unknown said...

simon! on the couch! with roxie! how fabulous to see...happy happy joy joy! ready for the double stroller with kazi??
chien and krys and kazimir

rachna said...

Yay!!! I am so excited for you all! Of course, you will definitely be missed here in the hospital. Simon is an amazing little boy. There were some nights in the PICU where it was very busy, and I would go sneak a peak at him sleeping peacefully in his crib. It would just make me smile, and then I would have the energy to keep working through the night. He will always have a place in my heart. I wish you all the best. Enjoy the holidays as a family at home!
Rachna

Elizabeth Stark said...

Yea! I am so moved by this moment and so pleased. Maybe we can stop by for the lasagne pan and bring something else yummy. (As soon as the family cold passes . . .)

Much love from all of us.

Elizabeth, Angie, Leo and Charlie

Unknown said...

YAY!! I thought something seemed a little bit brighter in our neighborhood this morning. We're so thrilled that Simon is home with his extraordinary parents. We're all sick with colds (this is fairly unending for a looong time, I hate to say), but we can't wait to visit with Simon et al!

Jen said...

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
Maya has been telling everyone that Simon is home!! And me too.
Yay team!

burstsofintel said...

Woo hooooo!!! Awesome!

Love,
Kris

Annie said...

so very fabulous!!!

Lynn L. said...

Congratulations Laura, Jaime, and Simon! This is a happy day. :)

Alexis and Dane said...

Yay!!!! We are so happy to hear this wonderful news! Welcome Home Simon!!
xoxoxo