For our last lunch as a five-some, we walked over to Crepes and Waffles down the road since the one in Unicentro feels like a tin can with no windows. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Our timing couldn't have been more perfect. They were serving brunch for 10 more minutes so Cole was able to order eggs and bacon while the rest of us enjoyed crepes and waffles.
Owen had been begging to go back to Crepes and Waffles. He loves their chocolate covered waffles with ice cream! It's not much of a lunch, but he might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Soon they will be leaving for La Mesa and not much longer after that our trip will be coming to an end.
At lunch we got a text - we could go to the hospital at 3:00 pm to get Kate!! YAY!!! We walked back to the apartment, played outside a bit, and then got ready for our 3:00 pm departure. Patricia arrived to pick us up and drive us to the hospital. It seemed crazy to think that this would be our last drive to Simon Bolivar Hospital and instead, Kate would be coming back with us! There was much excitement and anticipation in the air.
We were getting close to the hospital when Patricia called the FANA nurse to check on the progress of Kate's release. The FANA nurse said the paperwork wouldn't be ready until 5:00 pm. So after killing some time filling gas, we went to park the car and wait for the call to come and get Kate. At 4:30 pm, Patricia called again to check on the progress and this time we were told Kate wouldn't be released until 8:00 pm!! This was frustrating news to hear, compounded by the fact that the nurse that we knew was done with her shift at 7:00 pm so a new nurse we had never met who never met us would be bringing our child out of the hospital. A panicky feeling sunk in - how would we find her and how would she find us?!? Patricia asked to get a photo of the night time nurse so we could be on the lookout for her and we asked to send her a photo of us too.
We were dropped off back at our apartment and Shane walked down the road to a pharmacy to purchase a pulse oximeter so we could measure Kate's oxygen saturation levels to make sure she's getting enough oxygen. We were supposed to have one delivered this afternoon, but it never showed up. Now we were all set - we just needed Kate!!
We sat in our apartment anxiously waiting for the call that we could FINALLY pick up Kate. The time moved by slowly as we stared at the clock, waiting and wondering when Kate would be ready. At 7:30 pm, Patricia texted letting us know that the nurse on shift tonight was a nurse we had met last weekend. We were so glad to hear that. She also relayed the message that we couldn't get Kate now until 8:30 pm! Can you imagine a hospital releasing your 9 month baby on oxygen therapy at 8:30 at night!
At 8:00 pm we were once again on the road bound for Simon Bolivar Hospital (hopefully for the last time!) Patricia called the FANA nurse and got the great news - Kate's paperwork was ready and she was being released. We pulled up to the front door around 8:30 pm and anxiously waited outside the building, peering through the wall of glass for a glimpse of our baby girl. And then she appeared! The FANA nurse carrying Kate, along with an oxygen tank, a large bag of FANA's things and her own backpack. Her hands were definitely full. As soon as she walked out the door, we all went up to help, Shane grabbing the oxygen and me grabbing Kate. She was finally in our custody! We were together at last!!
We all boarded Patricia's van and took off for our apartment. It's one thing riding through the crazy Bogota traffic as an adult, but when you are holding an infant in your lap, the anxiety goes through the roof!
We thankfully arrived to Plenitud safely and everyone, including the FANA nurse and Patricia walked up to our apartment. The FANA nurse filled us in on all of Kate's various medications and how to administer the oxygen with Patricia interpreting for us. It was a lot of information to take in, but luckily there were 3 adults listening (including Shane taking notes) so we should be covered.
Cole and Rose were both fast asleep, but Owen made sure to stay up to welcome home his baby sister. He was quite enamored with her and kept saying, "She's so cute!"
It was a late night for little Miss Kate. By the time we got everything situated and administered her 10:00 pm inhaler, and tried (unsuccessfully) to feed her a bottle before bed, it was 10:45. I laid her in her crib and she quickly settled in, sucking her fingers and playing with a toy. Soon she was sound asleep. Her next inhaler is at 2:00 am so I'd better get to bed too. Too bad there's a wedding dance blaring music outside in the courtyard of our apartment. I'm not sure how all the kids are sleeping through the noise.
We are so thankful to finally be together - all six of us! Please continue to pray for Kate - that she can soon be off the oxygen completely.
1 comment:
We are thrilled that you’re finally together and can’t imagine going through all you guys have. What a beautiful little girl Kate is!!! Congratulations!!!
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