Colbie Colbert, Kaitlyn's mamma, writing!  I hope this finds y'all well!

I am estatic:  our daughter will be released from the hospital on Monday!  She was here for a little over a week after having open heart surgery and she's been doing fantastic!  Dr. Chalamar (her attending physician) and his staff couldn't be more pleased .... and neither can we!

Kaitlyn still has to take it easy and is still in a good amount of pain, but every day the pain is a little less and she feels a little better.  Her color looks great and her vital signs have been as solid as a rock.  And every day more and more tubes and wires are removed.

Yesterday Kaitie was able to eat and keep her food down.  She had liquids, but she had no problems: no pain, no vomiting episodes, no nausea.  She got the nasogastric (NG) tube removed from her nose and other than her throat being scratchy and sore, she is happy to be finally rid of that thing.  I don't blame her one bit!

Today if she does well for lunch, she will be able to have soft foods.  If shd does well with that, then she can eat whatever she wants.  Kaitie is ready to get back home to her sisters and brother and to her nice, soft, warm bed!

I know once she gets home, Kaitie will want to run around and play but we have to keep reminding her that she just had heart surgery; she will have to take it easy for a while.  I know it's hard for an active little nearly-nine- year-old little girl, but she has no choice, really.

The only tubes Kaitie has on her yet are her oxygen tube underneath her nose, her "pee tube" (that will be gone later on today), and her IV line.  She also has her heart monitor on, but that will probably be gone as well later on.  She is looking much more like herself and can't wait to get back home!

I just hope and pray that Kaitie won't need any more heart surgery for a while.  She's already hd several and each time has been fraught with fear and uncertainty.  The stress level has been nothing short of incredible and I don't think Van or I can stand too much more of this, especially since the last time she had complications and nearly died.  (I just thank God she didn't have any complications this time around!)

Well, the lunch crew is outside the door (I can smell the food), so I will help Kaitie with her eating.  I will also help her when she gets out of bed for her therapy (she has to walk at least 500 feet, according to the therapist) and make sure she doesn't pull out her IV or catheter or get tangled up in her oxygen hose.  I will go for now; next time I write, Kaitlyn will be HOME!!  HOME!!  What a wonderful word; it never sounded better!!!!

~Love, Colbie, Kaitlyn's mamma. 

P.S.: Can you tell I'm a little excited about her going home on Monday?? Well, I AM!!!! :D