Who is your Hero?

May 26, 2009

(Airica's lungs when lung issue started and now)

The doctors are telling us how amazing Airica is doing and they feel that the breathing tube will be removed soon.  They could tell us all they want that she is doing amazing, but we can see it.  She is really here.  She is breathing, she is joking around, she is being adorable, and smiling all the while.  

Now it's time...remember the feeding tube?  Even though it is the last thing that any of us wanted to do, we had to take her down to reinsert her feeding tube.  We had to go down to radiology.  They had to x-ray her chest and use that x-ray as a guide to feed the tube from her nostril all the way down to her stomach.  It didn't sound like fun at all, and it wasn't!

Our RT had to be there to monitor the breathing tube and portable oxygen.  Our RT that day was the beautiful Micaela.  They made a first attempt to insert the tube and it failed.  It gagged her, made her eyes watery, and caused her to need a rest in between attempts.  She was wide awake for this procedure.  As we waited for the second attempt, Airica flashed smiles at the radiologists, nurses, Micaela, and Christopher and I.  It was as if she was telling us all that even though this was very uncomfortable to her, she knew that everyone was there to help her.

I looked at this smiling girl, I placed my hands over my heart, and I told her that I loved her so much, I was so proud of her, and that she was my hero.  As I said those words to her she sat up as much as she could, with what little energy she could muster, looked me in the eyes, lifted her arm pointing at me then at Christopher, and moved her lips to say, "No, you are MY heroes!"  This brought me to tears, as well as everyone in that room that day.

The second attempt was a success.  The feeding tube was in place, for now.  We journeyed back up to the room.  Airica slept restfully after this action packed day that she had.  I was still in awe of what had happened in that room that day.   

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. 

Lao Tzu