{From Guest Writer - Amanda, aka Mom}
Many of you have asked about our life at the hospital, and the back and forth of juggling Avery and Ryan back home. Here are some photos that I thought we'd share, for your viewing pleasure (in no specific chronological order). As you would imagine, days at the hospital were 'heavy', filled with decisions and anxiety, however you can see that Audrey's smile and attitude, along with so many wonderful family, friends, and hospital staff, helped us keep our spirits up!
A starter photo of Audrey's CICU 'room'. The CICU is one huge space with bed after bed lined up for 24 hour monitored medical care. This photo was taken not long after Audrey's cardiac arrest incident. Pretty amazing that we were allowed to hold her as if not much had gone on.:
Audrey's CICU space, with a favorite Nurse!:
Audrey heading out on a wagon ride, with her transportable heart monitor/telemetry in tow.:
A visit from Avery (big sister) and Ryan (big brother):
Playtime with Audrey's hospital buddy, her new baby doll:
Avery and Ryan working with a Child Life Specialist to understand what was happening with their sister, Audrey. Here they got to see and hold an ICD and learn how/where it would be placed inside Audrey. Avery is well versed on the device, what it does and why Audrey needs it. Ryan amazingly understands more than you'd guess for a 4 year old, but sometimes gets the letters ICD mixed up with the letters CICU!:
Visiting with Sally, Children's Healthcare's therapy dog:
Something exciting around every corner...Ryan was most excited to meet the Children's Healthcare Helicopter Flight Team:
An ICD compared to a pacemaker. Audrey has now upgraded from her old pacemaker to a shiny new ICD.:
A view of the glorious 'pod bedrooms' that we felt very fortunate to have during our nights in the CICU. Assignment of these room was by a lottery draw, because there were only 9 rooms and more parents needing to stay:
A visit from Grandmommy and Grandaddy!:
A visit to the Family Library, where we could borrow books and DVDs, and play with toys!:
Another spin around the hospital in the wagon:
Family Photo - The Koch Crew:
CICU bed with VIP Dora!:
A hospital menu favorite of Audrey's, strawberry ice cream:
Audrey's StepDown Unit Room,...amazingly coincidental that we've been assigned this room randomly 3 times in a row (!?). We like to think of it as our lucky room. This photo shows Audrey celebrating the 4th of July 2011 with her American Flag!:
Weekend craft class for siblings at the hospital.:
A fun visit from Aunt Linda and Uncle Gill!:
A visit from sweet friends Dawn and Sara!:
One of Audrey's favorite strolling stops, at the salt water fish tank.:
Feeling better while waiting days for her surgery.:
An escape from the room again!:
Not a fantastic photo of Audrey, but this was 2 days after her ICD surgery, while still in the CICU:
Tough girl, a couple days after ICD surgery.:
What a sweet picture...:
Audrey's Beads of Courage Necklace. Each of these beads was given by the hospital for a difficult procedure or monumental event thus far in her medical journey. Avery is in charge of putting the beads on for Audrey.:
A weekend visit from our good friends the Uhlmeyers. We spent time at a craft class, touring the family library, getting icees from the cafeteria, and playing outside in the hospital park.:
Another view of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Park. It is an amazing, serene place (except when our kids arrive!), filled with beautiful landscape, benches and fountains. Patients, parents and visitors can enjoy this park.:
In the CICU still with her baby, named Clarabelle (named by Avery).:
A visit from our awesome neighbor Dr. Fas. Audrey was having a tough day,...I think it was even lunchtime. Hopefully Norby didn't take it personally. :)
Another view of Audrey's StepDown Unit Room. Note the 'bed'/couch under the window where one of us slept each night:
A visit from sweet neighbor Katie! How fitting that Katie would be greeted by the hospital clowns! They were very interested in her balloon animal skills!:
The sweetest wall of pictures, drawn by so many precious neighborhood friends. Audrey LOVED them!:
As you may know, Atlanta's own Ryan Seacrest recently donated a live broadcast studio called The Voice to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. It is located in the middle of the admissions lobby, and anyone can stop in to listen to the live artists who come by to play. I am sure it was more crowded when the American Idol guys or Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez made their appearances!
Feeling Good!:
Checking Out! Time to head home! Thank you Children's Healthcare for the lifesaving care and kind hospitality!:
Thank you for sharing your blog with us - it really helped me to see your other kids there too, we're still trying to figure out how to juggle this all . . .
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