Athan had a good first night at home. He is eating and sleeping and pooping and making very sweet baby noises! He had a little trouble getting down some meds (phenobarb is just nasty), but he did get them all in.
Emotionally, I'm kinda drained. I've cried off and on for 2 days now. Tears of joy and gratitude. Tears of relief. Tears of sadness and hurt. Tears of fear and anxiety. Tears I can't explain, but that every mother will understand - the ones that come unbidden when you just look at your baby. Still, I'd rather cry than pretend I don't need to or try to hold them back - then I'd be in no condition to care for anyone...
So we're home. And many of you are wondering: What now? We still have quite a road ahead of us. Some of it we can't see yet, but here's a glimpse of life for the four of us for a while:
We will, of course, have all the normal "adjust to a new baby" things to do. Our Morgan comes home tomorrow, so we ask for your prayers for us/her as she learns to do life with baby brother here. Athan is eating every 2-3 hours around the clock, and had meds to take at 6,12,6, and 12. And pray that Ryan and I can take care of both our kiddos and each other well on very little sleep.
As far as Athan's future, we start a long process today. We will leave in an hour or so to go see his regular pediatrician. Monday we are back at the hospital to have an ultrasound to check his kidneys and see if there is cause for concern there. In 2 weeks we'll be at the clinic for follow-up with endocrinology and ophthalmology, 4 weeks with neonatology and physical therapy, 5 weeks to repeat an EEG, and 6 weeks with everyone (including cardiology, neurology, and genetics). Each follow-up appointment will begin to shed more light on the long-term picture. We will continue to post what we're finding out.
For now we are going to see Dr. Coburn and get things rolling there.
Thank you all for celebrating with us the milestone of coming home from NICU, and we covet your prayers as we walk out the next phase of this journey.
2 comments:
I am so happy that you all are home! It is unbelievable to think of everything you all have been through in the last couple of weeks! You all will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers! I am also glad to know that someone else from our generation has inherited the every present Donaldson/Christian gift to cry on whim for no particular reason at all! You are not alone!:>) Please keep us posted as your pray worriors are still on our knees praying for Athan and your entire family! He sure looks like a sweetie pie! Love, Bobby, Christi, Brylie & Landry
Thank our good Lord for the release of tears. With all that you have been through, if you did not have some tears, I would be more worried about you. I think a lot of us have had some tears for you, Ryan and Athan. Tears of fear for him in the beginning and tears of joy as he has improved and has been able to go home. Tears of love.
I am so glad that you have such wonderful faith in God. He is our strength and helper. With His help I know that you will be able to handle whatever is in store or Athen and you entire family.
We love you and continue to pray for you
Neva
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