Discharged!!!!

We were discharged yesterday, October 2nd.   It was a day earlier than we expected.  The ICU Cardiologist and his team and then the EP and her team, all agreed that since her rhythm was back to sinus, and was doing great, actually amazing, there was no need to keep us another day.   We did not go home with a holter or event monitor.  They felt that would give us (rather me) more anxiety.  They taught me how to listen to her heart with a stethoscope, which we have to do twice a day.   We were sent home with a lot of smiles, good wishes and high fives.  The nurses all said they were going to miss "Smiley".  They said they have never met such a great baby before.  She really does smile all day long.

Am I worried that she may go back into SVT?  Of course.  I'm probably always going to worry a little bit more than usual because of her condition.  But I'm optimistic and staying hopeful that our only stays at Lurie Children's will be for fevers and just regular check ups with all her doctors (cardiologists, pediatric surgeon, NICU team, etc.)

No pain meds, just Tylenol or Motrin if we feel she's in pain (she's currently teething too).  She literally is back to her old self.  She's limited on all of her activity, and it shows.  She gets frustrated or she'll cry when she's had enough of crawling, but she's a go getter.  Crawling all over the place.  We can't have her pull up on anything (standing position).  We have to cradle her like a baby to pick her up.  Which is hard sometimes.  We have to do this for 6 weeks.  We have a soaking tub, so it'll be hard to bathe her.  Sponge baths for her for a while.   We can't be around toddlers for 6 weeks, unless its outside.

We have a few appointments next week (cardiologist = echo, cardiac surgery = remove sterry strips, cranial band = shave some more off her band).  I think we'll always have these appointments until everything looks good on her heart.  Then things will be spaced out.  The appointments do take a toll on us, but now that we know her heart is "healed", it makes it a little easier.

I put a video and pictures up of Zoe on facebook.  I may decide to put the picture up of Zoe after surgery, but it was so hard for me.  But looking back a week ago, she's come so far in such a short amount of time.  Maybe this picture will help spread CHD awareness.  I still have to think about it:)

When Zander came into the hospital room, Zoe's eyes lit up and she let out a screech.  She idolizes him so much.  He ran up to her and said "hi baby" and gave her lots of kisses.  So cute to watch our kids interact with eachother, especially after being apart for 7 days.

We can't thank you enough for all your prayers and support!!! The power of prayer is a wonderful thing!

We hope to see you at the Benefit on November 3rd! xo