We spent Tuesday in the hospital and Dave finally convinced me we just couldn't stick it out in Korea. After Lucy's first hospital visit we were considering coming home early. I wanted to be strong and stick it out so badly, probably mostly based on pride, while David just wanted to send our little girl home so no one else could touch her and get her sick again. I had been praying about the matter all weekend and knew what the Lord wanted, but just really didn't want to admit it and thought maybe we could at least wait a month and do all the last things I wanted to. After beginning a second hospital visit, and hearing her start to cough (knowing it was because of her previous close quarters with pneumonia patients) I knew the trip was swiftly upon us.
We looked at flights and determined that I had to go asap. Tomorrow would be the day. Lucy was still vomiting, related to her Salmonella infection, but now with the cough we thought "who knows what she is coming down with. We have gotta get her home before she gets any worse, so we can get some American medical treatment and get her a little farther away than 2 ft. from all these other probably contagious babies." I would fly with Lucy, while David would wait until they found a replacement at work to fly home (we loved his employer and couldn't just desert him with a bunch of English classes). I worried about bringing my sick baby on the plane, but prayed for comfort and confidence.
Wednesday morning at the hospital, I started vomiting. From about 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., I was not in good shape, running down the hall of the hospital hoping to make it to the restroom every hour if you get my drift. Dave wondered if we would be able to make it on the plane that evening and I assured him I would be fine, no matter how sick I got. Never before has the Lord fortified me with such confidence amidst such hopeless circumstances.
We asked the Doctor to release us (those demanding Americans) and said we were leaving for America. Knowing my current condition, he offered to put me on and IV to rehydrate me and give me the strength for the ensuing journey home. At first I was like "are you kidding me? An IV was practically the worst part of labor with Lucy, and you think I would willing hook up to one of those things?" but then as I tried to walk around the hospital only to get light headed after a few seconds, I acquiesced, seeing the wisdom. So Lucy and I spent our last few hours in Korea, just chillin' on the gurney, re hydrating together, while Dave called in sick at work and went home to pack for the two of us.
We left the hospital at 3:30 p.m. and were in the air at 9:45 p.m. I called all my dearest friends on the way to the airport and shared with them my sorrow that I would not get to say goodbye personally. I cried as I left my sweet husband at security and wondered when I would see him again. And then we were off. We had a whole row to ourselves on a moderately full flight. I couldn't have been more grateful, and knew once again that the Lord was keeping a special eye on us. Lucy slept a lot and didn't get sick too many times and we made it home. We practically kissed the ground as we got off the plane and met my Mom, who had been informed of our journey only 24 hours before. Life can change quick...one moment you think you won't see your grand baby for 9 more months and then 24 hours later she is by your side.
I am happy to be home (definitely looking forward to a winter in California as opposed to South Korea, or Utah, or any other cold place that I have suffered in for the last 6 years away from home), but missing Dave. There is nothing like having your Mom to take care of you, and I didn't realize how much I needed taking care of after the last 2 and 1/2 sleepless weeks. Lucy is improving, still pretty wiped out and vomiting a little, but with bouts of playfulness. I have called the doctors and am keeping a close watch for any signs we should head to the hospital. Once again, I am so grateful to have American doctors close by, who I can call and actually talk to.
So we aren't "Kickin' it in Korea" anymore, well me and Lucy aren't anyway. If you have any ideas for a new blog title do share. I guess the moral of the story is "there is no place like home." I had an awesome experience and will always look back fondly on my time abroad. What can I say? This is life with Lucy. She is absolutely in every way too adorable to survive in Korea, and I can't complain because it is half my fault. I guess she will have to wait until she is a little older and can stand up for herself to live abroad. For now this is the end except for one thing, a plea if you will:
Please tell anyone you think might be interested there is an awesome English Teaching job available in Korea! Best employer, Best City, Best pay, Best everything else you can think of! All you need is a four year degree in any subject. If you are interested I will get you details, leave me a comment with your email address! Please, help me search and get my husband home for Christmas!
