After radiation for my daughter’s illness and 5 weeks at primary children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, we are home! We’ve been back for almost a week, and I still feel like I’m trying to get my head above water. But I can’t tell you how good it feels to be with all my children again. In our nice, comfortable home, sleeping in my own bed.

At the hospital, the nurses always charted everything that was done for Raquel. I’ve created a schedule of our own, to keep track of all her cares, feeds and supplements making sure we don’t miss anything. It has been a full-time job and I must say the first few days were very stressful. But things are looking up, and I have some paid helpers that are coming to lighten the load. 

Outpouring Love

I knew many of Raquel’s friends wanted to visit her when she got home after the radiation. So I set up a schedule for them to come over at different times over this coming week, to sit, read, hold her hand and just be with her.

It was nice that school was out for fall break, and she was able to visit with many of her friends. It brightens her spirits so much when they walk through the door.

So far it’s going really well and her friends have helped decorate the temporary room we have her in, which is right next to our bedroom.

My parents had a bunch of balloons ready for her when we got home after the radiation. So even though she can’t be in her cute room that we remade after her first surgery. I think she’s pretty happy and comfortable where she is at least for the next month or two.

Finally Home

Our first night home we all squeezed into her little room and said a family prayer. We all kneeled down knelt down around her bed and it was the loveliest, warmest feeling to be all together in prayer. God spirit was definitely with us and continues to be in our home. I know there are angels here.

Two of our earthly angels are my parents. Who have been here watching our kids while we have been at the hospital with Raquel. Before the prayer my mother started singing with my children some of the fun songs and lullabies that she’s been singing to them over this time. It was so wonderful and happy that I had to record some of it to share with you.

A couple days ago, Mike’s cousin, Dave and his wife Val, called us as they were traveling home from Salt Lake to Phoenix, and wanted to stop by. He is a fire fighter, and teaches kids classes on safety dressed as a clown. He also does magic tricks, and did a personal show for us. Raquel and the rest of our kids LOVED it. He’s hilarious!

I am so touched by the continued outpouring of prayers, fasting, meals, and love. There are so many wonderful people in this world and it makes me determined to try to always to be one of them. Thank you to all of you everyone who has helped in one way or another, to help and support our family and precious daughter. xoxo