It is the morning of the last day of our hospital stay. If all goes as planned, we will be discharged at noon today. I just arrived back in the hospital, relieving Chris of his night shift. We've fully adapted to this environment, each keeping 10-12 hour shifts like the doctors and nurses, with debriefing sessions during the transitions: "Night ok, nighmare at 2, pain meds at 3, fell asleep at 4, see you at noon."

A friend referred to the hospital as a parallel universe. So true. It has its own supply of energy and air. Time is measured in medication schedules and unless you walk by a window, you completely lose track of outside time. The sound environment is a mixture of whispers, beeps and cries. Children walk around with tubes sticking out of their gowns. They can eat and drink through their hands or noses and walk or even run around within a day or two after heart surgery (Kai took his first wobbly steps 25 hours after surgery!). Parents greet each other in the nutrition room with questions such as "Is Sam getting extubated today? Did Sofia have a wet diaper this morning?"

Chris is on his way to pick his niece, Amy, up from the airport. Kai is slowly waking up. Now that his chest drainage tube ("my tail") is out, he can breathe better and so he is much more comfortable. Getting the tube out was the last big milestone yesterday. It was done in 5 minutes preceded by a dose of morphine and the amnesia-inducing tranquilizer versat. Kai was quite high afterwards, cracking jokes and approaching a baby saying "I LOVE that baby!" The nurse described him as a "drunken sailor." Some kids get belligerent, Kai was like a frat boy who had one too many drinks.

Yesterday morning, we had a special treat. The storyteller from the public library came by to tell Kai a lovely story about a duck who finds his own voice, after trying the voices of a few other animals. Another little boy joined in listening, too. Seeing them smile as the duck puppet mooed and neighed warmed my heart. That any of these children are smiling, and they actually do, is quite amazing after what they have been through. Some children have been here for weeks, others for their third or fourth time. Little Aina has returned to the hospital several times in the past year because her chest tube incision keeps on causing problems. It makes me feel quiet and humbled about Kai's swift recovery.

A visit from dear friends gave us a feeling of almost being home, with weekend plans that included Kai playing outside in the sun. We are so ready for that! I have been packing our bags since yesterday.