Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Life outside a hospital= REALLY GOOD!


Oh man, is my life good!  What an amazing past few days!  Caleb got discharged from the hospital on Sunday afternoon and we are having the time of our lives.  I can’t believe I worried that Caleb would struggle with leaving… I thought he would be overwhelmed at the change of environment and maybe anxious being in a totally new place.  I was so wrong!  All day Sunday, he told everyone he saw that he was leaving and when the time finally came to actually walk out the door, Caleb was clapping, excitedly pointing out every new thing he saw.  “Wook at all da cars, Mommy!  Wook at da bird, Mommy!  I wuv our car, Mommy!” and so on.  He literally did not stop talking for about an hour, he was so crazy happy and enthusiastic.  Daniel and I could not stop ourselves from crying as we watched our sweet boy take in the outside world.





We went over to our apartment at the Ronald McDonald House where we will be staying for the next 2 or 3 weeks.  Caleb can’t go all the way home quite yet.  This is a period of time where he will go to the hospital for check-ups (what we call “clinic”, where he gets blood work and echos and we meet with the transplant doctor).  We will be adjusting meds until all of his levels are stable before we can go home.  Also before we can go home, Caleb has to have his first heart biopsy to check for rejection, which will be early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.  He will be put to sleep while they sample tissue from his heart to see whether his body is accepting it. 

For now, we are enjoying living with our boy outside the hospital.  Caleb is in isolation, which means he can’t really go anywhere besides our apartment, other than outside.  He can go for walks, which we are doing a lot with this beautiful weather.  Yesterday we took a walk and I’ve hardly ever seen Caleb so happy and full of life, walking down a sidewalk, stopping and looking for pine cones and bugs and marveling every time he saw a squirrel or bird.  I thought I would burst with emotion.  Jonah came for a visit today and the four of us went through the Steak n Shake drive through and got lunch and milkshakes.  We brought it back to the apartment and I’ve never had so much fun eating a meal in my life; all 4 of us sat at a table together for the first time in a year.  The boys could barely sit still they were so happy, simply eating cheeseburgers together.  I sat there thinking, I wish every parent could feel this much satisfaction and happiness from sharing small moments with their family.  Daniel and I just keep looking at each other and saying, “I can’t believe how good this is.”

Jonah still can’t stay with us full time, but he is having plenty of visits and very soon we’ll all be together for good.  Wow, I can’t get over that!  Tomorrow will be a big day and we ask for your prayers over the tests Caleb will have.  PRAYING FOR NO REJECTION!!  We also need prayers for the timing of Lucy being born… we are praying that God would take care of us in regards to the timing of her arrival because she could literally be born the same time we’re leaving.  Our life is full!  These are good problems to have and we CAN’T WAIT to be home as a family of five!  I can’t even imagine the amazing days that are ahead of us.




14 comments:

  1. Praise God every thing is going well...I will say a prayer for his test tomorrow and that all will go well...thanks for the update.......Donna Richardson

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  2. OK Katie....you made me cry!!!! How amazing to see the beauty of God's amazing handiwork (including bugs!!! and how typical "boy") for the first time you remember!!! Will be praying for your requests!!! Deb Alspaugh

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  3. The picture of Caleb in his car seat is enough to make anyone cry....and the look on his face. What an answer to prayer but we know the praying is not over. We pray for all of you in the next few weeks...all 4 and then 5!! GOD IS GOOD!

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  4. SO awesome!! So happy for you guys and praising God with you. And Steak n Shake - that's the perfect way to celebrate.

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  5. Wow! Still praying and praising. Blessings! Autumn Gomez

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  6. Praying here in Rockford!!!

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  7. Wow, how awesome! Your whole family is such an inspiration. Praying everything goes perfectly tomorrow..

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  8. As I read your post tears are streaming down my face. I am so happy for your family and so glad Caleb is doing good. It makes me think how much we take for granted in this life. Still praying for your family and thanking God for the blessings.

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  9. What beautiful words/news! I was just praying for you this afternoon and especially that you would be filled with contentment in these next days, weeks, and months to come. It sounds like you are already well on your way - what joy in each day!

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  10. Prayers for the whole family...God is good keep on believing...

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  11. You don't know me, but I am a friend of Susan Wimmer - who has been sharing your journey on her FB page. I was so excited when Caleb got his new heart, and your posting today is just so precious. Praising the Lord with you - and will continue to pray! Blessings to you, Tania

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  12. Continuing prayers for your family. GOD will see you through and Caleb will be fine. I have tears of joy in my eyes for all of you. God bless you.

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  13. Crying with joy and thanksgiving as I read newest post. Continuing to pray morning, noon, and night. Anne H

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