Come on Mom, Let's Go Go GO!

At one of her sickest moments, Annika whispered, "I just wanna go home.  Come on mom, let's go go go!"  My own heart broke at that moment, knowing that she was far too ill to survive outside of the hospital.  Here's a photo journey of the days that took us from super sick in the Intensive Care Unit back to having fun in the Cardiac Care Unit.  (December 19th-December 22nd)

From time to time, Annika's face would grow super flushed and her blood pressure would rise.

I'd hoped that some cute holiday hair clips would lighten the mood, but Annika was not impressed.

Feeling better with an axolotl bathrobe from the Wells Family.

In truth, visits from Eli and Talia are what Annika enjoyed most.  She missed them so very much!  I asked her this afternoon if she remembered asking to go home and she did.  She told me, "I was just so homesick!  I thought being home would help me feel better."

Sisters bring out the smiles too.

Hospital food didn't sound very appealing to Annika so we made her some crepes in the Ronald McDonald room. Yum!

Upgrade to a simple nasal cannula.  Yay!

Hip hip hooray for the puppies!  Meet Cozy in her new Santa suit.

Before long, Annika was freed from her oxygen and out for a stroll with physical therapy.  She found her picture while walking through the unit.  Her nurse Cyndi got all teary when she made the connection and realized this picture she sees every day is Annie.  (Cyndi helped Annika two years ago as well.)

Bunny ears and an X-box make life happy.  If forced to choose between the two, I'd go for the bunny ears.

I have to admit--for an ICU room we did a pretty good job of making it feel festive.

The donated Minky pillow case and dungeons and dragons figurines from Zizheng helped create the fun ambiance.

Stuffed animals, friendship bracelets, plus french toast with an absurd amount of whipped cream and strawberries--life was definitely on the upswing.

Look who feels strong enough for a walk through the hospital!

Guess who we found? NomiAnn and Papa Kay! What a treat to be back with family, even if masked.

Come on, let's go go GO!  Loaded up and on our way upstairs to the CCU.  Not quite as cool as home, but on our way there.