Feb 25, 2009

very superstitious

Today Nurse Lindsay told us that Davis is next on the list to go to the Transitional Care Nursery (TCN). This is great news! The TCN is for babies who are working on feeding & growing- in other words, healthier kids who are on their way HOME!!!! He'd be there now if they had enough space for him. We toured the TCN today and it seemed more peaceful & quiet than the NICU. His nurses can follow him there, which is really important to us. Davis has amazing nurses. Even though I really want to take Davis home, when I think of leaving Jennie, Yvette, Shanda, Lindsay, & all his other primaries, I get a little choked up. These ladies literally saved his life, and they did it with so much skill, love, and compassion that I feel like we could never thank them enough. 

The big issue keeping us in the hospital is feeding. Davis eats through an NG tube that goes through his nose all the way down to his stomach. We're working on encouraging him to try eating by mouth... so far, it's slow going. The nurses say that one day a light bulb will go off, and all of a sudden he'll just get the hang of it. We sure hope so! He did take 16 cc's from a bottle today... it's a start.

We've started making predictions on when we'll be home. I would have never let myself do this even a week ago. There's a certain kind of superstition that I think is common to parents who have NICU babies. It manifests in lots of little ways, and I think the doctors and nurses feel it too. For example, for weeks I never wanted anyone to even say the word ECMO around Davis. If he was having a good night, the doctors would tell us his success in half whispers, always followed by "but don't tell him that" or something similar. We would never ask questions that started in "how long" or "when", partly because we didn't want to get our hopes up and partly because we were scared to jinx him. Maybe it was lack of sleep, but I would try to read almost anything as some sort of sign of what the future held for our sweet little son. Sound crazy? 

Then, the other day, it occurred to me (finally) that maybe I can stop holding my breath. We really are going to take Davis home, and that day is probably sooner than I realize. Even though he's been doing fantastically well for a little while now, it's only very recently that I've let myself believe he's out of the woods. That being said, Michael is predicting we'll be home in a few weeks. I'm going out on a limb here (NICU superstition be damned!), but I think he may be right. 

Even if it takes a little longer, we are so lucky. Davis is way ahead of the curve comparative to other CDH cases- we count our blessings every day. 

12 comments:

Maxton's Mommy said...

Yay for Davis!!! So glad to hear he is doing well. :-) I am hoping that Maxton is listening to me because I just told him about Davis and how I wanted him to do great like Davis did. :-) Thanks for always leaving nice comments on my blog... your story has given me inspiration and the boost I needed to get through the last month of pregnancy.
Ashley

Lana said...

I am with you and Michael, Davis will be home before you know it and you won't be able to keep your refrigerator stocked for your growing boy - trust me!

Jenny Thomas said...

Hi guys, I can't wait to see Davis in person. He is so beautiful!!!! He sure had a lot of prayers from everyone and God has answered them. Give him a hug from all of us here at home.

Tracy Meats said...

This is wonderful news!! Davis is doing amazingly well and many prayers he will soon get the hang of a bottle!! I think the transition nursery will help out a lot with his feeding, just because it is quieter and you can spend more time focusing on getting him to eat. Davis will be home before you know it! What a joyous day that will be. Give Davis a high five and tell him to keep up the good work.

Tracy Meats - mom to Ian, born with a LCDH on 4/3/04 and WY and CO State Rep. for CHERUBS

Anonymous said...

GREAT news y'all! Your departure from PH will be bittersweet but I know how exciting it must be to be so close to home!

We love y'all dearly and are so happy for your family.

Anonymous said...

This is such good news!! Home Sweet Home will be so much sweeter with Davis at the center:) Can you believe it...your dreams come true:) I love you so much.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO 'Aunt' Catherine

Anonymous said...

Shhh...whispering that we're banking on Davis being home in NO TIME!

Craig and Kristi Kuehl said...

I second what Ashley said!! I tell Kaden all the time how great Davis did, and if he is anything like his Daddy (VERY COMPETETIVE) we hope to give Davis a run for his money :) He does give us so much hope and inspiration... I am sure he will be home before you know it! I, too, want to thank you for commenting on Kaden's blog. It is so nice to have the support and prayers!

Much Love...

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for y'all to get back to Asheville (okay, Brevard). We miss you here. I so look forward to seeing Davis.

Doug

Elizabeth said...

Truly the luckiest one I have every known is an expectant parent who had her baby and guess what - even though they saw it on ultrasound, no CDH! So, you have every right for your superstitions. Eating is the biggest hurdle over the surgery - I'm sure Davis will have that light bulb switch on very soon.

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers,
Elizabeth

Jaime's World said...

Great Job, Davis!
We're so proud of him...maybe he can send subliminal messages to Jaime! :-)

Wishing you continued successful days!
Sending hugs and prayers!

Sheryl

Linda said...

What great news!!! We love you so much and can't wait for the day that you get to take your beautiful son home! Looks like that'll be before you know it.
All our love,
Linda David & Scott