Serendipitous Girl

  This morning, Jayde-Rhiannon and I spent an hour and a half with her primary care physician. During a phone call with my mom on Tuesday night, she inquired about Jayde's upcoming visit. I told her, "If you hear an explosion from the Cracker Barrel area of town, no worries, it is just your daughter." She laughed but wholly understood. Thankfully, there was no big explosion, just two much-needed mini outbursts, one from Jayde, the other from me. After Jayde informed her doctor, she did not feel she was receiving proper care. I went into great detail regarding the mismanagement of her health by almost all the physicians involved. I finished with, "I am watching my daughter wither away right before my eyes. Either you will be the doctor who figures this out while helping her heal, or we will find a doctor who will. If this is out of your scope of expertise or you are too booked to take time to focus on Jayde thoroughly, please speak up so we can find someone willing ...

Today is port surgery day, and right on schedule, our nerves are on edge. Still, laughter rings through the air between the three of us. We depart on schedule. Unfortunately, traffic is a disaster in our sleepy little town. An accident on the interstate means someone will not be arriving home today, putting everything in perspective. We arrived at Hopkins a few minutes late. Chris realizes he forgot his wallet, which means he has no driver's license for his ID badge. Thankfully, we have been here. We have done this routine before, and they still have his credentials. The three of us sit in the family surgical room. Since our last visit here nine months ago, the only thing that has changed is the faces of the strangers surrounding us. We get settled into the pre-op area. Vitals are needed, and labs are completed. My signature, allowing everyone to treat our Baby Girl, has been signed several times. Jayde's nurses quickly discover why her surgery is necessary, as they have diffic...

Chris leaned over and took my hand, "It feels good to finally make this trip with you by my side." The bottled emotions I had previously been unable to name washed over me as we turned onto Plank Road last night. They proceeded to stream down my cheeks uncontrollably. We were greeted at the door by most of the Jackson pride, who were anxiously awaiting the return of Momma and Baby Doolittle. Mommom, Poppop, and Grandmom turned Jayde's homecoming into the celebration it should be. It was not long before Jayde requested a smoothie, and I put the Ninja blender to work. Apprehensive is how I would best describe Jayde right now. Her hospital room was designed for her and her needs. Her bed at home does not have rails and buttons to raise it up and down for her ease and comfort. Laying still, she is in minimal pain; however, it is a different story when she moves. Still, she is trying to smile through all of this the best she can. The next several days will be an adjustment per...

Each day is full of milestones in Jayde's recovery, filled with moments where I am more amazed by our Baby Girl and her determination. Yesterday was all about getting out of bed, taking short walks, and moving her tiny hiney. Jayde's gait as she walks down the hall is slow and steady, like a tortoise. Returning, she is always an eager bunny, anxious to get back to her room and crawl back into her bed. The medicine is keeping her pain away and a smile on her face. Yesterday, Jayde had many visitors. We got her steps in by taking her guests on a walk to the kid's room. Though she has mastered that smile, no matter how she is feeling, it was obvious once everyone departed, she was exhausted and hurting.  Today has been quiet. The three of us slept until 9:30. Her incisions look beautiful. A year from now, it will be difficult to detect a scar. Also, per her request, her belly button is still an "innie." Today, she is more alert but on edge. She used the bathroom by h...

   It is Monday. The weekend has come and gone quickly. Normally, I would be dreading Monday and the routine of the week: Chris is awake at 5 A.M., out the door by 6 A.M., Jayde is up at 6 A.M., out the door, and on the bus at 7:05. There have not been too many cases of the Monday blues for quite a while. Today is Jayde’s thirteenth consecutive missed school day. Since January 29th, she has been able to attend only 5 days of school. Most of her days are spent in bed. If she is not in bed, she is on the sofa, and the blackout curtains in the living room are pulled shut. Friday, we watched Grease and an old One Direction movie. She smiles and sings along. Occasionally, I hear a little giggle. It is beautiful. The movie reminds me of a time when life was simple. A time when a boy band and the sight of Louie Tomlinson or Harry Styles made her squeal in delight. Do not even get me started about when they came to M&T Stadium, and she saw Louie backstage. What I would not give t...