PARKER CAME HOME TODAY

After 25 days of having our hearts stretched to the point of breaking between our apartment in the 17th district and the hospital in the 15th district, tonight Renee and I, Abigail, Hannah, Axelle, Penelope and Parker are all under one roof, together. Home is very, very good.

We first got a hint that he might be leaving as we kissed him goodbye last night. The nurse 'reminded' us we were leaving tomorrow-- to which we replied: of course, what time? He said that the doctors would have to tell us the next day. Not having anything official we didn't want to say anything for fear the information was erroneous.

This morning the admissions office asked me how we would like to transport him to Garches, I responded: we could drive him, what time? She said that that would depend on when Garches could accept him. We called Garches and asked if there was something in the afternoon, the earliest they could get us in was tomorrow at 11 AM.

An intern finally informed us at 10:30AM that we would be checking out this afternoon. At 5:00 PM this sunny Thursday, Parker left Necker. We felt compelled to stop by the ICU to say good-bye. Dr. Oualha was out but Gaelle was there and was overjoyed that we had stopped by--and that we were leaving so soon.

As we were not sure, didn't believe we were leaving, we didn't tell anyone until we got home. Today was a general strike in France, on top of that there was a bomb threat on the Champs Elysess so between the protester marches, police forces and increased car traffic, the drive home was long and anxious. Parker finally arrived at 8 PM. The girls keep coming to tell me how happy they are; Axelle is confused and keeps referring to him as 'Penelopeep'.

We are off to Garches tomorrow, it is a day facility so Parker will come home at night. We will have a better concept of what it entails tomorrow.

We are looking forward to a somewhat normal existence and integrating into that part of the human race that doesn't burst into tears when someone asks "how's it going".

I will also stop sending e-mail updates. I started putting the updates in blog format and am comitted to tracking PJ's progress there-- a lesson I have learned is that I don't often recognize the many blessings I have been given but as I look back over the day to try and record it, God's hand becomes evident in so many ways. No one need feel compelled to sign in but the link is below and I have included some photos.
http://parkerupdate.blogspot.com/

Our enlarged hearts are now filled with a profound sense of gratitude. For those who prayed for us and with us, for those who supported us, helped us, for the medical staff and all their efforts. Although often we viewed the medical staff as a bit harsh, when Dr Emmannuelle from Neurology discharged us today, we thanked her for speeding up the process. Her eyes welled-up with tears and her voice cracked as she recalled that in the beginning it was not hopeful for Parker. We were only in her direct care for two days but she had visited the ICU in those first few days and had been following his case over the past 4 weeks. She has always been very discreet but was instrumental in getting us through the last hurdles.

For all this and after all else that could be done we are thankful to God. There is a big, dark, scary space where the doctors tell you they have done all they can do and even the most brilliant of them recognize that things are out of their control. In that space some find nothing but despair-- after searching, we found this space filled with God.

I have thought of the the ten lepers who were healed by Christ and how one returned to thank him. So many things we have asked-- so much he has provided, I am not sure what measure of thanks will be enough.

There are trials ahead-- but everyone has trials ahead-- there is some solace for us in knowing what some of those trials will be.

While your prayers and comfort have been so fully received, we recognize so many others who are in need and feel ourselves greedy to have required so much. If you only have one prayer left for us, please make it one of thanks.