Day 17...a few days late ;)

Saying "See you later!" to Stephen's
wonderful surgeon, Dr. Nigro

Sorry for the lack of posting, but yesterday was the first day back that I felt remotely functional!  Friday and Saturday were lounge around in your PJS and do NOTHING types of days and Sunday was a turn around in energy and mental clarity =)

So, here is Day 17...a few days late!

I figured I would start with a discharge recap b/c I am sure everyone was just as surprised as us when they found out we were going home on Thursday!

If you need a recap of what happened before Thursday this post is it!
Day 16

Basically, Wednesday morning they puled his TT line and we expected that they would keep him under observation for a minimum of 48 hours.  He had ZERO SVTs Wednesday /Wednesday night (hooray!!) and Thursday morning our amazing cardiologist, Dr. Davis, walked in and said "so, do you want to go home today?"  Honestly, a huge part of me wanted to say, "no, can we stay one more night!" but then the idea of being in my bed, at HOME sounded too good to pass up!

I had to trust that they wouldn't send us home premature and that they felt confident his rhythm would remain intact.  And so, the process of discharge began!  I had no time to think, or call Joe to have him take my place, so I had to help pin the poor guy down and they took out the pace maker wires and 2 peripheral IVs...it was heartbreaking!  He kept SCREAMING "No, no, no, STOP, STOP, Ow, Ow, STOP!!!!"  My heart broke.  Hearing/watching your child, you baby, go through pain is gut wrenching awful.  I don't know a single parent who wouldn't want to trade places with their child.  I just held him and prayed.  When it was over he excitedly yelled "All done?!" and then gave a big smile of relief and even gave the 2 nurses a high five.  This kid...he is all kinds of incredible!!!

The next big step to going home was an ECHO which didn't start until about 2pm.  We were in no hurry, I actually liked him being monitored still, so we just began taking loads from our hospital room over to the RMH.  He was officially discharged around 4:30 and it felt SO great walking out of the uni with NOTHING attached!!! And even more special, was doing it as a family!!!  Michael, Lizzie and Audrey were HUGE supports to Stephen through this whole process.  It was so important to Stephen to have them there.  Honestly, I think family brings a very important aspect to healing, and the fact that the Ronald McDonald House makes it possible to keep us together through a hospitalization like this is amazing.   I could, and maybe will, do a whole post later on this!

Anyways, we all headed over to the RMH because we had a lot of packing to do!!  I slowly began the process of packing as the kiddos played outside and watched a show.  We finished getting the car ready around 6, and decided to stay for dinner and the cute therapy pets that came!  We finally got home around 8:30, and were greeted by the sweetest decorations and food in our fridge!  We have the best friends and neighbors!!!

Stephen is continue to heal well.  We have his first follow up appointment tomorrow (Tuesday) and I am eager to hear how he is doing from a medical standpoint.  The entire healing process takes 6 weeks, so for 3 more weeks, he is on a low fat diet and is physically basically limited to walking.  He is already planning to eat pizza and play baseball as soon as the restrictions are lifted!!!

Joe and are are still getting the hang of the medicine routine.  He has to take 5 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon and 4 at night.  It won't be so hard while we remain at home, but will be tricky when we start heading out in a few weeks!

Please pray that his body continues to heal well and that he remains infection free!  We are not quite ready to be around crowds of people yet (don't need the germs) and have to give him the space and rest he needs.  But God is SO good!  And we are grateful for His provision through it all=)

Lastly, I just want to again thank everyone who has prayed us through this, who has financially supported us, who helped contribute to Stephen's Bravery box and fun LEGO mini figure hunts, and who took the time to send texts, comments and calls...you are ALL so VERY appreciated!!!!!!  Thank you!!!  It takes a village...and a body of Christ =)

Checking out the new Padre Play Room at the Ronald McDonald House!!

I think snuggling these cute doggies made us all happy!!!

Headed Home!!!

Such a sweet welcome home!  Each heart has a bible verse or message from the kids and teachers in our Children's Ministry!

Stehen's wounds.  It is always bittersweet looking at his chest.  It breaks my heart to be reminded of what he had to go through, but it also makes me SO proud of how he endures it all so well.  These scars will always be a testimony to his strength, courage and bravery!