8.10.2011

day 118

Day 118- the most exciting news yet!

Can you guess what happened?
No? Well let me show you a picture to see if you can guess.

Perhaps a video will better explain.


That's right! After 118 LONG days in the NICU at Levine Children's Hospital, Pierce came home!!! In fact, he's sleeping right beside me as I type.

It happened exactly like they said it would. One moment we were thinking we'd never leave that place, the next we were walking out, baby in tow. Literally, here's what happened: we roomed in on Friday night (8/5)- things did not go well. Pierce did not eat very well and Nik and I's confidence was shattered. We felt for sure he wouldn't be going home anytime soon. Then, on Sunday night (8/7), we gave rooming in a second go. This time, they put us in a different room (we had suspicions that something was wrong with the oxygen meter in the first room). Things went SO much better. Pierce took his bottles like a champ, and Nik and I began to regain the level of confidence that we had developed throughout our 4 month NICU stay. So, on Monday morning, Dr.Engstrom came in and asked us if we wanted to take him home with us! We were thrilled. Then we immediately realized that NOTHING was ready for him at home. (Over the past 4 months, our time has been consumed with the back and forth trips to the hospital). SO, being the good parents we are, we took advantage of the free babysitting and asked if we could leave P with the nurses while we ran to the store to get a few things. The staff laughingly agreed.

And oh what a funny sight we were at the store. Bassinet- check. Stroller- check. Sheets-check. When I said we had nothing ready, I really meant it! My baby shower was on Sunday and everything was (and is) still sitting in the garage.

BUT nothing was going to stop us from bringing P home yesterday.

And so, we returned back to the hospital to pick our boy up. We had lots of tearful goodbyes. I underestimated how close I've become to the staff and fellow parents at Levine Children's Hospital. They've been our life for 4 months. We are forever grateful for all they've done to help our son (many stepped in and literally saved his life) throughout these past few months.

As we stepped out of that hospital with our almost 4 month old baby, I don't think I've ever been more scared in my life. Walking out the door, knowing that P was now our responsibility. Of course, it probably doesn't help that he comes with a load of gear- oxygen tank, apnea monitor, pulse ox monitor, car seat, diaper bag...
But nonetheless, God granted us peace. And once again, I was reminded that He is the one who is in control. He is the one who graciously allowed us this opportunity. And we are so grateful. We know all too well how quickly we could've lost this experience.

Last night and today was a lot calmer than I expected. Pierce has done remarkable. One benefit of having a chronic NICU baby is that they are used to a routine and they're used to waiting their turn. How does this play out at home? It means that P sleeps peacefully and entertains himself until we step in to feed him. It's marvelous! And even though he comes with an assortment of medical gear, I can honestly say I've never met a more low-maintenance newborn. It's nice!

How you can pray:
First, please join us in rejoicing that God has brought us to this point. It still seems surreal to have our little boy at home with us! Secondly, remember to pray for Pierce's ventricles. We will go to P's neurosurgeon next week for an outpatient ultrasound and to discuss what our course of action will be. Please pray that the next ultrasound will be stable or smaller and continue praying with us that P can avoid a permanent shunt. Before P left the NICU, he had a hearing screen. Unfortunately, he did not pass. While it's a little to early to tell (many preemies fail the first test and go on to have perfect hearing), it's something we're definitely praying about. Please pray that when we go for our follow-up appt next month, that P will pass this test. Finally, pray for wisdom and guidance as Nik and I begin caring round-the-clock for P. His medical needs are far from over- we have 7 different dr's appts in the next 2 weeks- and we still have a LONG road as we deal with the effects of his extreme prematurity. Pray for continued endurance as walk this journey.

Off to bed for now. Have to treasure every moment of sleep these days :) I'll try to post some pictures from home tomorrow! And we will continue posting things as we find time. So stay tuned for exciting updates.

Thanks for sharing in our journey.

Christ is All,
Lindsay, Nik and Pierce

30 comments:

  1. So excited for the three of you. I have been following from the beginning and am so grateful that he is finally at home! Remarkable!

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  2. AAAHHHHHH I AM SO EXCITED FOR ALL 3 OF YOU!!!! Will be praying for everything!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!! :)

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  3. So excited for you guys! God is so faithful and will continue to be faithful. We are rejoicing with you and can't wait to see him at your house!

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  4. Praise Him! So joyful for you three. Still praying. :)

    Caitlin

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  5. I am sobbing tears of joy for you and thinking back to that Saturday I sobbed tears of pain for you. Isn't God AMAZING? Praying it is smooth sailing from this point out. Love you! -Roberts Family

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  6. came in for my daily check up of P and was completely shocked to hear he came home!! YAY YAY YAY!!!

    My second daughter failed her hearing test 3 times! She's now 2 and has no problems what so ever.

    So very excited to hear your baby is finally home where he belongs!

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  7. i have been thinking about you 3 every single day. i am so excited that you finally have your family HOME! you have already shown what amazing parents you and nik are and i have no worries that you will do amazing things with baby pierce. xo

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  8. Our God is an amazing God! so glad he got to come home, this brings tears to my eyes!! you are going to be great parents and will love this journey!! congrats! we are joining with you in prayer as we have been! such a blessing!

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  9. So excited for you! Praying for sweet first days at home together!

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  10. I have been following your story from the beginning (Jessi is a good friend of mine) and was overjoyed to hear he came home. I have the example of Miracle Jack to see; I pray and expect that Miracle Pierce will be just as amazing!

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  11. What a great post to wake up to today!! I have been following your blog from the beginning and have been praying for your family constantly for the last 118 days. We are also a micropreemie family so I can somewhat understand what you are going through. (I have a 26 weeker. Which, in comparison to Baby P, seems huge!) I am SO thrilled that Pierce is finally home! He is the true example of a perfect miracle!! God has BIG plans for his little life. You are such a wonderful mom! I can't wait to watch Pierce grow up into a big healthy little boy! :) Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

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  12. This is wonderful news! I'm so glad that Pierce is home with you now. Your life will never be the same and you will never have anything that will bring you more joy and happiness than the relationship that you have with your son! God bless you, Nik, and Pierce and the future of your family with everything that life brings.

    Thank you for sharing your amazing grace story with all of us!

    Sincerely,

    Marilyn Rhodes

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  13. Yay, yay, yay! My girls and I are so excited (Bruce is at work and may not yet know the big news!) Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. :-)

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  14. This is amazing news! What an awesome God we serve.

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  15. crying and rejoicing with you though you don't know me- I'm of good friend of Sage and Jenni. My husband is a pastor at Uptown- I've been following your story for quite a while and have been praying. What a gift you've shared with us to watch God answer prayer!

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  16. I am praying for you, your husband and your little one as you make this transition in your lives.

    Blessings,

    Cynthia Howell
    (Your speech teacher at Montreat College)

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  17. Wonderful news! Congratulations! My 24 weeker is on day 114 and we are hoping she will follow in Pierce's footsteps real soon. Thanks for sharing your story. You all are amazing!

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  18. absolutly fantastic !!! i am so happy for you guys..now the next journey begins...this is going to be so much fun :)

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  19. Praise God!! What wonderful news! Thanking our heavenly Father with you all!

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  20. Praise the Lord!! We are so excited and lift you up in prayer all the more. I'm copying out to our congregation right now.

    Robert Austell

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  21. Congratulations! What a joyous day! I am so happy for you all.

    My 24 weeker failed his hearing screen in the NICU but later passed. I'll be praying the same for Pierce and praying for all of you as you adjust to life at home. I remember how happy I was that I no longer had to call the NICU for updates; i could just look at my twins in their crib!

    Best wishes and happy homecoming,
    Michelle

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  22. I have been following your blog. I was connected to your blog from a different one. I have been sending prayers your way, and can't tell you how excited I am for your family. As a mother of three, I can't imagine how hard it has been to leave your little guy every night. I pray that things continue to go well as he grows, and you will all stay happy and healthy!

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  23. I am not on twitter so can't respond to your post about working for a home care agency, but just wanted to say that maybe you could call the NICU and ask them for a few until you find a place that will send them to you?

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  24. Awesome! Where can we send donations?

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  25. I was so happy to see your post yesterday. I needed it really.....you see I recieved news yesterday that my friends youngest daughter had passed away. She was 6 and born with a heart condition. I was devastated and then I was drawn with the need to check out how Pierce was doing. It was very uplifting to read that he was home. Thank you for your updates. God Bless Pierce.

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  26. oh my goodness. this makes my heart so happy. i be t you are so excited.

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  27. I am so happy for you all!! been waiting on this post for long time ^^

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  28. WOW! What a beautiful picture of Pierce. Thanks for posting and sharing the blessings that God has given you.

    Anthony and Susan

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