I received the call in the early AM that Kellie really was being released from the hospital. Hello?? Obamacare where are you? She has no insurance, so, you only get a few days of rehab--vs insurance...unlimited. Yes, she was coming home. I had the vision of tossing a child in the swimming pool and saying, sink or swim. Man. Life comes at you hard.
The call came that the bed(that she will only be allowed to keep for one month) was on it's way. As I hopped out of the car--handed Grace the keys to drive herself to work, I said, I'm sorry Grace, I need to stay here and meet the delivery man with the bed and try to figure out where to put it! Not the last time I will have to say I am sorry I'm sure. And as I watched her drive away, I thanked the Father for the limitless "Grace" in my daughter. And that is a whole 'nother story--
Just enough time to try and get hold of someone---anyone, to move this bed to make room for the hospital bed....thank you Father for obedient souls...even those who, didn't have time but made time anyway! The delivery man arrives--he's a Christian, imagine that--he set up the bed and had the peace of the Father around him. Thanking You again that the prayers I covered this house, this room, this situation with, were in full action. And, as big as my room is, it seemed pretty tight with two beds!
I sat here for what seemed an eternity! I'm sure it wasn't--it just seemed like an eternity, contemplating the days ahead and thankful that God's peace was in my heart. There is no way any of us could do this alone. Again, I thanked God for his wonderful provision.
Kellie and Luke drive up in CARTS transportation---Kellie wide-eyed and bushy tailed, as usual, in her wheelchair and happy to be home, yet I could tell, a little fearful of the unknown, and as the driver lowered her wheelchair to the driveway, I welcomed Kellie home. Kellie looked out at the house as the driver directed her chair onto the lift--that seemed high even to me and I was standing on my own two feet. This was going to be her home--who knows how long, but her home. A place she can recover, grow, pray, and see friends. And friends she did see--the house was full! Friends from Dallas, College Station, Austin---Thank God for all of them--there to see her home, help her transition, and tend to her every need. One group left and another came and in each group God's provision was evident.
Kellie talked, rested, talked some more--fed herself sushi and watermelon!!! ---with a fork!!!! She sat on the back porch watching the birds and saying how good it felt to be out of the hospital! The day was gorgeous! I busied myself with picking up, directing the bed set up, washing--clothes, dishes, and counters. She talked about her plans to strengthen her core, being able to push her wheelchair herself and eventually walk! One step at a time! She is determined!
As the evening wore on, Andre cooked and Kellie napped watching Glee--after being talked into starting with season 1, so she would completely understand it, according to Grace--Kellie asked, "What is there to do here??" And I said, well, I don't have TV--I have Netfliks, Xbox, music. We can read, go on walks, rest---and I realized how challenging it must be to have the mind of a 20 something in a body that isn't cooperating ...she should be on the run, busy with friends, and she is here. For some reason, not totally unclear at this point, God is using Kellie to minister to SO many people AND, according to Kellie, to "teach her things." I found it very eye-opening to hear her say that...to be so young and yet, have such grounded insight. I was amazed. It has taken me over fifty years to get to the point that I am not "moved by my circumstances" and this wonderful young woman has learned that at half my age!
Sofia and Christine move Kellie from her wheelchair to the recliner and then to the bed--we are learning and developing language to deal with hard situations--Code Brown for one. Yeah, that took me a second also. Kellie's humor through the whole situation definitely shines. Luke is ever-present --quiet, calm and strong. God bless him for his constant love of Kellie, keep him strong, loving, and protective!
Sleep was good! Six AM came fast! Code yellow! 6am, 12pm, 6 pm, and 12am--round the clock. Medications---thank you Lord for sending us Nurse Sofia! What would we do without her???? Thank you God again, for your provision! Medications --some of which I am not even sure what they do, but must be handed out on schedule. Liquid intake also has to be monitored--input/output! All, as to be monitored.
And as we finished Code Yellow, Kellie asks me, "It's a lot more than you expected isn't it?" and my reply, "No, it is totally what I expected, and you, (as I kissed her on the head) are worth ALL of it."
I love you Kellie! We made it! Through your first night home, thanks to all, but most of all, thanks to Christine, who left after lovingly cleaning Kellie and massaging her legs and feet with lotion--at midnight---and then back again, for 6am Code Yellow. Smiling, encouraging, caring. Father, I thank you for my daughter who so lovingly cares for her friend, sacrificing, giving all of herself to care for her "sister." Continue to pour Your grace out on her as You make her into the woman you created her to be. Thus we begin our second day---Thank you Lord for bringing Kellie home,give her a vision for the future, hope, and grace! Comfort her, surround her with peace and your Holy Spirit. Protect her from negativity, unbelief, the attacks of the enemy! Give her strength! I praise You!