Today is the Day

May 28, 2009

  

Today was the big day that the breathing tube would come out.  It felt far different from the last time.  There were lots of people there to witness another miracle.  Airica was ready too this time.  She knew today was the day that that yucky breathing tube would be removed.  She could hardly wait.  But she would have to.

Like I said there were a lot of people gathering to witness this highly anticipated event.  Lots of nurses, RT's, and doctors.  Even the doctor that had told me that had worked endless hours to get her on the heart bypass machine was there.  She would be the one who would do the honors of taking it out.  She was amazed by Airica's recovery so far, as were we all.  This was a wonderful day.

The whole procedure took only seconds.  It was out!  Airica coughed and they helped her clear her throat.  She was breathing on her own, and getting oxygen from our air.  It was a day to celebrate.  The first thing they did was so her upright so her lungs could finish healing on their own.  She was out of that hospital bed for the first time in a LONG time. 


I got to hug my baby girl.  I got to hold her in my arms.  She was so weak still but she wrapped her skinny little arms around me and said in her raspy, whispery, hoarse voice, "I love you momma."  I held her and cried tears of joy.  I had waited, for what seemed to be an eternity, to hear those words and feel that hug.  It was well worth the wait.


There was a lot of activity that day, lots of visitors, Aleena and her family came by which lit Airica's face up. She couldn't wait to show her BFF her new laptop. As the day passed and people came and went, I was still amazed and so full of joy.  Airica was pretty tired by the end of this beautiful day. Her eyes were heavy, her blinks were long, but that smile was shining.  I went to get her all settled, tuck her in, kiss her face, hug her tight, and I hear one more time before she nods off, "I love you momma."