CALI'S HOMECOMING

In the month leading up to Cali’s birth, I remember being in nesting mode, cleaning, folding clothes, and anticipating Cali's arrival to our home. Unfortunately, I came home without my daughter, and here we were five months later, and I was getting a second chance at the nesting mode. This go-around was very different. To get our house ready, we had to meet with Seattle Children’s Home Care Supplies team. They had to check our home, make sure the outlets were strong enough to handle all Cali’s machines. We had to be trained on using and cleaning the four machines we would need, vent, suction machine, oximeter, and heart monitor. After our first visit, we felt good, and then our supply rep said, okay, let’s schedule your next two appointments, one being the “Big Teach” I thought to myself, this isn’t it?  The Big Teach came with more equipment, more training. We had to reorganize Cali’s room, to be honest, our whole house. To add to all of it, we would get daily calls from our care coordinator with a 10 item to-do list. We had to call our local fire station to make sure they were aware of Cali’s medical needs in case of an emergency. She needed CPR or breathing assistance; they needed to be aware that she was a trach baby who is not common for firefighters to see. We also needed to call Puget Sound & Energy to let them know we needed priority support if the power went out. They shared they can’t promise that our home wouldn’t be first for service, but if we did have a delinquent bill, they would be lenient with us and turn our power off.

Some of these calls made us realize how many emergency plans we needed to have thought out since we would have a machine-dependent child. The added worry that gave us plus the daily task was extremely overwhelming. Not to add that my maternity was quickly ended, with Cali’s home arrival being moved to June 25th it only gave me four days to settle with Cali home before returning to my job. One of the benefits was the fact we were in the midst of a pandemic, and since I work at college they were not allowing anyone to be on campus. So I worked from home and that was such a lifesaver in trying to adapt to being home and having nurses in and out of our home. I didn’t realize the mental shift I would need to do to get ready to beg a mom, have a full-time job, and be a caregiver. In the last five months, I put all my attention on Caliyah and with all her medical needs, I needed to. I didn’t have the bandwith to take on anything extra. I was constantly researching and using my brainpower to learn more about Cali’s syndrome, treatment and more. Now I was going to delegate and hand over her care so I could focus on work.

Those ten days went by fast and we finally had our nurses, equipment, and home ready for Cali’s arrival. That week leading up I bought a new car, it was time to retire my 2005 Corolla that I got for a high school graduation gift. After Cal’s mobile day, I knew my car wouldn’t handle all her machines plus the second person I would always need. I got a Mazda CX5 and I love it!! Okay, fast forward to the day before Cali’s home arrival. I will never forget that night. I felt like a little kid that couldn’t go to sleep on Christmas eve, the best present I could ever ask for was waiting for us at the hospital. This would be our last night without her and we could barely sleep with the excitement. Our nursing agency is so amazing that they had a nurse meet us at our home and ride with us to the hospital. We had 24 hour coverage for the first three days to make sure Cali had the smoothest transition home as possible.

We packed our car and headed to hospital. If you want to watch a clip of Cali’s discharge day check it out here. As you can see, we had so many nurses shower us with love as we left. Cali was at Seattle Children’s so many of them came by from the NICU to say goodbye. They created this big sign and as we left formed a walkway clapping and blowing bubbles. I thought I would tear up as we left but I held my composure, it was until we left the Hospital doors did it set in. This was my baby’s first time outside! The fresh air hit us and it truly felt like freedom. Cali slept through it all! Like literally we got home and unpacked and she was still asleep, for three hours total! When she finally woke up, we laid her in her favorite mat toy and sanwhich her on the floor and soaked up this beautiful moment. I wanted to lay on the floor with her for hours. I had dreamed about this moment for five months and it was finally here. Cali went to bed that night and slept for 10 hours, she never missed a beat. It’s like even she knew she was home.