Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 16 - The Blessings of Healthy Relationships

Melody Abernathy's hospital stay was far shorter than anyone who saw her the day of her surgery thought it would be. Twenty-four hours after replacing her cardiac shunt with one of a different size, she was awake, alert, and wanting to play. She was also eager to be out of bed. Although the nursing staff tried moving her to a crib early the next morning, she started trying to climb out of it as soon as they put her in it.

"Transfer her to the regular pediatric ward immediately," Dr. Linn said. "I want the nursing staff to allow her to play under supervision as much as she is able. We need to observe how the shunt will behave when she puts more stress on it, before she can go home."

"Does she still need her IV?" one of the nurses asked.

"I don't think so. She does fine with her oral medication, and she's ready to eat. I think we can take it out after we move her," the doctor said.

The nursing staff took Dr. Linn at her word and transferred Melody immediately to the pediatric ward, where they took out her IV. Once it was out, that only encouraged her try harder to get out of the crib.

"Take her to the play room," the nursing supervisor told the nurse caring for her. "You can watch her there."

And so, that's where Greg and Susan found their daughter when they returned to the hospital early on Thursday morning. Melody was in the playroom of the pediatric wing, along with several of the other patients. She was walking and talking, and ran to them both as soon as they came through the door.

"Momma!" Melody cried and she ran into Susan's arms. "Morning."

"Good morning, Melody," Susan said, obviously surprised but pleased to see her up and about. "How are you today?"

"Okay. Ann?" Melody asked in the next breath.

"I'm sorry, Ann is at home. I wasn't sure you would be allowed to play with her today," Susan told her.

"Hello. Are you Melody's parents?" the nurse watching her asked.

"Yes, we are," Greg said.

"Dr. Linn will be by to speak to you sometime this morning, but my guess is Melody will be able to go home sometime today," she said.

"So soon?" Greg said, equally as surprised as Susan.

"I think so. We're doing another cardiac study at noon, just to monitor her new shunt after a period of activity, but if that shows positive results, there will be no reason to keep her here," the nurse said. "As you can see, she's doing quite well."

"I suppose that is good news," Susan told her husband as she knelt to spend time with Melody in the play room.

"It certainly is," Greg said. "Is there anything we need to do?"

"Encourage her to be as active as possible this morning. Dr. Linn wants to be sure additional stress won't adversely affect the shunt," the nurse said.

"So we play with her," Susan recapped.

"Yes," the nurse said. She smiled. "Melody certainly seems willing."

"Yes, she does," Greg observed. He watched as Susan sat down on the mat on the floor with their daughter, interacting with her and the available toys. "Do you think I should tell your mother, Susan?"

Susan hesitated briefly. "Let's wait to hear what Dr. Linn has to say first."

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Susan's caution proved to be unfounded. Dr. Linn came by to see them as soon as Melody's tests were finished, shortly before noon, and announced the little girl could go home that same afternoon.