Yes, that's right, I said days.
I am used to staying in hospital for a short amount of time. I used to spend 4 to 6 days admitted for chemotherapy. I was not used to 13 days. On that last day, as we were preparing discharge papers, my mom and I told our nurse that we got to go home that day.
Our nurse knew we lived 12 hours away, so her shocked response was no surprise.
"Like, home home? Like Fernie home?"
As much as we would have loved to say yes, we knew that wasn't a possibility, especially after being so sick. Our doctor wouldn't want us far from the hospital.
"Not home home, but to our Ronald McDonald home!"
Well, this makes more sense now.
After having to stay in Vancouver this long, the RMH became our second home. We had a place that became such a comfort that we could honestly call it a home. Not only that, but it was filled with people who become your second family.
Now I'm always torn. I love being at home in Fernie more than anything, and when I'm in Vancouver I long for my own bed. But lately when I am at home in Fernie, I wish to be in Vancouver and enjoying the comforts of our second home. Some days I think I like it in Vancouver a little better because the friends I have at RMH are unfortunately stuck there for a while, where all my friends at home have moved away for school.
No matter where I am now, I know that I'll always be wanting a little taste of home. When I'm in Vancouver I will wish to be home in Fernie in my warm bed watching Netflix. When I'm home I'll want to be in Vancouver doing puzzles and crafts with the other kids.
It's really hard to leave home, and when you are constantly back and forth between two homes you find that your heart lies within both places. It's so hard to leave my brother and step dad behind most of the time, and it's so sad to have to say goodbye to the young kids staying at RMH. I'm just glad I can say that I'll be back. I'm never gone too long.
