Home by Christmas - December 26, 2013

We finally got to take Owen home from the hospital on monday afternoon!

His ECHO looked normal.

He got a follow up eye exam on the day we came home.  Everything was progressing nicely.  We have another eye check-up appointment next week.  We will continue to have these for a while.

He has failed all his hearing tests, so we have another audiology hearing screen appointment in January.

He is having an issue with high iron levels.  We will see a hematologist again in January.

Owen is still testing positive on the newborn screening test for severe combined immunodeficiency, therefore we will see an immunologist in January for a couple more tests.

Owen will still be seeing the neonatologist at the high risk clinic even though he is out of intensive care.  His first appointment will be in January.

We had the first appointment with his pediatrician this morning.

He is also scheduled for a follow up with the cardiologist in June.

Owen will also be checked out by the pediatric surgeon sometime in January to make sure there are no complications with the hernia surgery.

We have to carry a couple of oxygen bottles, two loud monitors, Owen, and a diaper back to every appointment!

The doctors and nurses that we had were amazing!  Owen went from being one of the sickest kids around, to being home with his family by Christmas!  He was definitely spoiled by everyone at the hospital because it seems that the undivided attention of two people is not nearly enough!

We ask that you continue to pray for Owen and us as well.  We will be dealing with many complicated appointments and will be faced with plenty of tough decisions for a long time to come.  Owen has lots of healing and growing that need to happen.

Thank you for keeping up with Owen throughout these last 3 1/2 months.  We have really learned what it means to be loved and cared for by family, friends, and even strangers along the way!

Now for the tough part.  We have been asked by several people, when would be a good time to come and see Owen.  The short answer is - April until September.  We have been instructed to not allow visitors until flu and RSV season is over.  When that season is over, we will still have to be very careful to not expose him to disease.  We will ask that you not come over if you or anyone in your house has even the slightest of signs of infection such as a cough or runny nose.  If you say your symptoms are caused by allergies, unfortunately we can't compromise Owen's health and will have to decline the visit.

If you do visit during the correct times:

• No touching will be allowed at anytime.
• Wash hands upon entering
• Sanitizer is all around the house
• Don't cough or sneeze
• All the other rules in the previous paragraph

Another infection will mean another trip to intensive care for Owen, possible intubation, and all of the other setbacks that can occur in intensive care situations.  All of this on top of the fact that RSV could lead to an even worse outcome than intensive care.  

Considering that we will not be allowing visitors until April, we have decided to keep up the blog.  We will try to post once a week.  Possibly on sundays.  We will include pictures and other information on how Owen is getting along. When something special happens, we will post additional blogs.

We praise God for all of the answered prayers that we have all been saying for Owen.  We understand that He doesn't give us a pleasant or easy way to deal with the pain and suffering that happens on this fallen earth, he gives us more;  a way to overcome it through the promise of eternal life in Heaven.

Caught smiling

Hiding his face

The family portrait

Busted smiling again

Going home!

Surprise at home and Amy with the equipment

Future trouble making team!