“Nice to be out for a couple of hours?” I asked Tracey as the kids and I drove her away from the hospital this morning.
I looked over, hoping to catch one of those smiles which only 2 months ago I was told I’d never see again.
She was crying.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her. A panic attack? Was she in pain? Was something leaking? Each of those would warrant some tears.
“It’s just so nice to out here,” she said, sweeping a hand from the passenger window to the front windscreen, and finally to me, “with you.”
I managed to drive us to our holiday home without serious incident but then I lost it a bit once we were inside. It’s so nice to have her in a house with us. She gets tired quickly and needed to rest during the four hours she was with us, but if she thought she was going to have a bed to herself she wasn’t thinking straight. No less than three family members were in bed with her at any one time. If this keeps up we may have to consider upgrading to a king size mattress at home.
Meanwhile, they’ve removed the PICC line from her arm and are no longer keeping her fed with bags of what looks like cornflour dissolved in water. It’s all up to her and her remaining 90cm of small bowel now. She’s enjoying the challenge, although she attacks her food a little differently nowadays. Yesterday we took her in a cheeseburger and she took such little bites I was reminded of a mouse. Historically she usually inhales them.
Rather wonderfully, this is all under doctors orders – lots of different foods, lots of fats, lots of junk. They want her to put on some weight.
“I’ve finally found a diet I can stick to,” she said as she took another rodent sized nibble of some classic McDonalds fare.
One of her doctors happened past her when she was pulling assorted packets of salt and sugar out of the vending machine.
“Good work,” he said. “Keep it up.”
“It’s like I’ve been in training for this my whole life,” Tracey grinned.
Today she tried a couple slices of ham at the house while I made her a steak burger. We went halves. She’s keen but there’s not much room in her stomach yet. The kids watched her with the sort of enthusiasm they’d normally reserve for opening Christmas presents. As an encore she gnawed gently on some watermelon and a nectarine. It was a great show, and one we’re all keen to see again and again.
There’s definitely going to be some adjustments over the next few weeks. We should probably stop applauding whenever she toots, for a start. Plus the kids and I will have to learn to stop staring and grinning at her so much, and maybe we should let her have half the bed to herself. Not crying at her would be a good thing too. But I think, given how things stood so recently, and where we’re at now, they’re the most wonderful problems to have.
And probably it’s time the kids had someone better at mothering than me. I’ve only been in charge here for less than three months but already I’m seeing a change to how things used to work.
For example, I overheard a conversation this evening between Master10 and Miss3.
“Oh my god!” Master10 exclaimed. “You put stickers all over Dad’s new book!”
“Don’t tell Daddy!” begged Miss3. “He will laugh at me!”
I’m pretty sure it’s not supposed to work like that.
As we drove Tracey back to the hospital we came out of the Clem7 and the RBWH loomed in front of us. Beside me, Tracey was crying again.
“I feel safe in there,” she sobbed when I asked what she was thinking. “I’ve lived there for a quarter of the year so it’s sort of a home.”
I think it’s safe to say having the kids and I being here in Brisbane for a couple of weeks, close to Tracey, was a good decision. Not only does it mean we can see her every day, we’ll also be close to the hospital when she’s discharged – hopefully by the weekend.
So many good times to come. Gonna need more tissues.
UPDATE: I just got a call from Tracey and this morning her doctor informed her she’s being discharged TOMORROW!
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“Raising a family on little more than laughs.”
Massive big hugs Devereaux Family. I am getting choked up reading this – I hope your Christmas is full of more miracles. xxxx
Yay for Tracey! I’m so very happy for the family. Merry Christmas! ?
Made me cry, too! I can’t believe how this terrible situation has turned around so wonderfully, and now you’re talking about Tracey being discharged – miracles DO happen. It’s going to be a very special Christmas for you all.
I can feel the joy, pass me a tissue!
I’ve been following this story for sometime and got really choked up ‘again’. What a miracle and I’m sure that there’s more to come.
This miracle……it’s just amazing xxxx
I’m so happy for you all, that is such wonderful news! I love how your blogs can make you cry, laugh & inspire all at the same time! Keep eating Tracey & keep up the awesome job you are doing Bruce with your adorable cherubs ♥️
Hi Bruce, Tracey and all the kids ? my family owns a confectionary factory on the coffs coast and we would love to send you guys a big box of goodies! Only problem is, where do we send it to?
http://carobana.com.au/index.html
So happy for you Devereaux family. A tough journey, but absolute joy in the outcome! What a blessed Christmas this will be.
That is awesome news….I’m sure the whole population of Gympie will be so pleased to hear that wonderful news, that has made this Christmas much happier for us all and we are thrilled that Tracey has made such a remarkable recovery… I don’t think Tracey could imagine how many people admire her for her strength and her courage.
I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with health, happiness, peace and love.
Lots of love,
“The McGuane Family”
That’s such wonderful news, a very VERY merry Christmas to your whole family! X
Great news Tracey,Bruce and family have a wonderfull Christmas
Woohoo! That is so awesome, that’s much quicker than expected. Have a fabulous Christmas!
Oh wow. She is being discharged. A couple of months ago I didn’t think that was going to happen. This is fantastic news. Well done Tracey we are so happy for you and what you have managed to do. We wish you and your family all the best for Christmas and the new year.
Wonderful, wonderful news, have a Happy Christmas together and enjoy every moment as a complete family!!
Happy Christmas!!
I have a special box of tissues near the computer, just for reading your blog, it gets a workout! 🙂
Awesome news! Merry Christmas to you all!
This news is very exciting to hear. It’s fantastic that Tracey is almost home. It will be just in time for Christmas.