A New Journey Begins

Ok, I'll give you a hint.........

Somebody in our family is going in a different direction. If you think I could actually fit into that scrub top, you are wrong! Almost, but no.  After many months of keeping this decision pretty quiet, we are ready to share our exciting news. Denny is going into medical school!  I know, shocker right? He has already been a nurse for the past 8 months, so he is ready and prepared.  What an incredible healer he will be.  As you can see, the kids could not be more proud!  We are all just so excited that something so amazing will come out of what we have just been through.  It all began in the PICU...........

Kayla had just gotten out of surgery and she wasn't speaking yet. We waited anxiously to see what would emerge after the very tedious and lengthy brain surgery.  We had many many hours of watching pumps and listening to beeps. Getting to know each sound and what it meant. Carefully monitoring the fluid that was draining out of her fragile skull. Constantly making sure that we had nothing but the best for Kayla.  It was there in that room that Denny realized how much it empowered him to be able to be at Kayla's bedside and take tedious care of her in the most critical stage. Every monitor he learned. Every nurse he took painstaking efforts to connect with. In one, we gained a true friend. An incredible friend who we just connected with so effortlessly.  Every person that came near Kayla was thoroughly examined through daddy's watchful eye and it was there that he realized that a new passion was blooming. It was in that room that he realized this could be something he could finally feel fulfilled in doing. Once he started opening up to the medical team about his new interests, Denny was surrounded by strength, encouragement and nothing but "Wow... YOU would be incredible in this field". This encouragement continued and built as Kayla's journey to health continued.  Every single doctor would smile and nod. Many offering to write glorious letters of recommendations when needed.

Online classes have already began (of course, Den got an "A" in the first one). He is signed up for two more and will be beginning a CNA course (certified nurse assistant) August 10th. The course is a month long. Most hospitals require you to be CNA certified to be considered for hire so we will start there. Oddly enough, Den spotted a position as a PCA (Patient Care Assistant) at UCSF where Kayla had her surgery in the pediatric oncology floor. What are the odds? The main qualification, you have to have your CNA certification! So, off he goes. If the position is still there, then that is meant to be. Obviously, getting into a hospital and getting on hospital insurance is our goal since we are on our own with insurance now. It's a HUGE ouch and we are now down to one income. It's ok. We will figure it out! I am just so proud of Denny for listening to his intuition and following his heart.  He will be incredible at it. This we already know. Any hospital will be lucky to have him. He can't wait to take care of others the way that we have been taken care of on this journey.  Our experience will serve to strengthen his care and compassion.

Kayla continues to eat and eat... and eat.

LOOK AT THESE GLORIOUS HAIRS!!!