From the PICU to the Cast Room

Nathaniel was discharged from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Thursday morning and went straight to the cast room. We missed our previous scheduled 7:00 am appointment to get his cast removed, but the hand surgery team squeezed us in. I just wanted to be done. To come home knowing Nathaniel and I would not have to go back in a couple days. Not have to face the waiting room apprehension. Not have to open just scabbed over wounds of fear.

So many times I held this little boy still while someone inflicts pain in the name of making him well. Wednesday morning it was three finger pricks to get enough blood drops to check eletrolytes. Thursday it was extracting two pins embedded in thumb bone. I notice a temptation for professionals to retreat into apathy and forget that the thumb is connected to the hand which is connected to the arm which is connected to the shoulder which is connected to the rib cage which holds the heart.

We are home.

Nathaniel looks thin and tired and sad to me.

Lord, heal his body. But also heal his frightened little heart.

Next phase of healing for Nathaniel's hand requires wearing a splint for a couple weeks.