After 80 days away, Katie arrived home last Thursday evening to a large group of friends, family and community lining our street to wave, smile and cheer as we drove in. It was certainly a very sweet homecoming! After a few minutes in the driveway reciprocating the smiles, we retreated into our house and, basically, locked the door to anyone else. Just as it is hard to find words to describe the difficulty of being separated for several months, it is also impossible to render a picture of the delight of being together! For the past week, we have enjoyed the normalcy of cookouts on our patio, trips to Aldi, neighborly drop-ins, favorite meals, and kids fussing at each other. Like waking up from a nightmare, it all seems a little surreal. Oddly enough, we had begun to think of the hospital as "home." This was our room . . . our kitchen . . . our laundry facilities . . . our quiet place. The staff became our friends. The constant activity . . . procedures . . . interruptions became our way of life. The pain and hurt and dreadfulness became all we knew, day in and day out. I know it sounds weird, but in some small way, it was sad to leave. And yet, it was GLORIOUS to come home! Our real home - where the tea is sweeter, the beds are softer, the hugs are stronger, and there is carpet! Where people smile and wave and welcome us with sincere joy. Where the love is deep and real. I am struck by how much the hospital resembles this world, full of brokenness and pain, yet still all we know. We become so accustomed to the people, places, and goings on of this world that we call it "home" and we don't desire Heaven. We read about how glorious it will be to live in the presence of God, yet we struggle to imagine life outside of these walls. I read recently that the blessings of this world are meant to point us toward eternal blessings, which makes me think that an earthly homecoming must be a rudimentary representation of a heavenly homecoming. As hard as it is to think about not being present in this world, imagine the excitement, sweetness, and joy of going Home! We traveled back to Cincinnati on Thursday for a clinic visit. We happened upon one of the Child Life Specialists and her therapy dog, Chevy, who was an important friend to us, and it was so nice to talk with her while Chevy curled up next to Katie. We spent time with our social worker, care manager, fellow, and oncologist, all of whom smiled and loved on us a little. Even one of the cafeteria workers waved at us, remembering. I was sad that there wasn't enough time to walk to the secret Starbucks with a friend who is still living there with her child, but we were happy to drive back to WV after a full afternoon of labs and meeting with Katie's team. The plan from here is to continue with weekly clinic visits, some of which may be able to take place in Charleston. Immunotherapy infusions will occur in Cincinnati every three weeks for an indefinite period of time. For now, she does not have either a port or a picc line in place. This is great for summer as it allows for swimming and tank tops, but it means that almost all of her visits will include sticks for labs or an iv, which she utterly hates. She will also be doing physical therapy to build up her strength. Her next scans are being planned for early August. If you see Katie around, she looks a whole lot like the Katie we all love. She may be a little thinner and has transitioned to a ball cap instead of a winter hat, but her smile is back - along with the sparkle in her blue eyes. It's really good to see that. As you pray . . .
We have a long and arduous battle ahead of us, but we are so thankful that we finally got a major victory! We are happy to be "home." Blessings, Sarah, Chad and the rest of Cobb 7
22 Comments
Miranda Young
7/9/2017 12:13:03 am
What a wonderful blessing to be home together. So very happy for you all. Continued prayers for Katie and you all!
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John G
7/9/2017 12:14:36 am
Her smile......contagious :) Love you Cobb 7
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Mindy Branham
7/9/2017 02:20:41 am
So glad she's home and doing well. Still praying! Mindy Branham, mom of former classmate, Isaiah Davis
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Joyce Jarrell
7/9/2017 05:30:41 am
So thankful that Katie has been released and able to get back to your home. We will continue to pray for Katie and all of you in the days ahead. God is good 😊
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Robin Barnette
7/9/2017 07:33:09 am
Continued prayers for all of you and her medical staff. Please know that my Home Group-Charleston- is pryaing also.
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Darlene Geyer
7/9/2017 08:07:10 am
Tickled my heart and made me smile to see Katie be-bopping past our house in a swimsuit and sporting a cap.
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Melody
7/9/2017 08:23:44 am
What an answer to prayer! I am so happy to hear this! Will you all be homeschooling her in the fall?
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Susie Cunningham
7/9/2017 09:18:27 am
Praise God for answered prayers! Continued prayers!
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Joe & Jackie Sweeley
7/9/2017 10:25:46 am
Praise God for His mercy and grace. Prayers continue for you all as you continue on this journey. Prayers for complete healing for Katie in the name of Jwsus!
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Sue walters
7/9/2017 11:08:00 am
Praise God for the Victorys ‼ continued love and prayers for Katie and family
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Anita Callicoat
7/9/2017 11:36:14 am
Such a wonderful blessing to be home. We will keep your family in our Prayers!
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Teresa
7/9/2017 02:38:11 pm
Awww sweet blessings to Katie and the family. So glad she is home and doing better! PTL 🙌🏻
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Tim n Bev
7/9/2017 05:03:58 pm
It was so great to see all the Cobb clan at RiverRidge this morning and I'm glad I got to spend a moment with each of you. Praise God for answered prayers of the homecoming! I can only imagine all the lives this terrible season for Katie and you guys have affected. Other believers with sick children at Cincy whose faith was wavering or in question. Non believers that seriously had to reconsider Jesus! What an awesome God we serve
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Vicki
7/9/2017 06:53:41 pm
Such great news. Praise God. Still praying for Katie daily.
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Kathy Cook
7/9/2017 07:25:16 pm
So happy to hear of prayers answered. Will continue to pray for Katie's recovery, strength and courage, and for strength and peacefulness for all of you.
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Carrol and Louis Cushman
7/9/2017 10:39:06 pm
This just literally made me bawl like a baby. I'm so glad you are all home and doing well. I had been wondering on how she was doing and now I know. Your entire family is with us even though we had to move out of state because of Louis' job and promotion but our River ridge family is always in our thoughts and in our heart. We are continuing to pray for all of you and her care staff.
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Dale Miller
7/9/2017 11:04:30 pm
Praise God for answered prayers and prayers to be answered. God be with every moment of every day as He continues His mighty work in Katie!
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Linda Nesbitt
7/10/2017 10:09:59 am
So very happy you are home. What a blessing! Thanks be to God.
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Misty Lett
7/12/2017 09:30:23 pm
This is such BLESSED NEWS! We praise our Heavenly Father for bringing her home from the hospital and will continue to life her up to Him!
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Chris
7/16/2017 10:37:29 pm
How is Katie doing now that she is home
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Lexi
7/16/2017 11:27:44 pm
So glad Katie is home!!!
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10/23/2017 01:24:07 pm
Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and new initiatives in the same niche. Blog gave us useful information to work. You have done an amazing job!
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