Home, Sweet Home



We were discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening.  Nate had shown a little weight gain with the feeding tube over the weekend, so they trained us to operate the feeding pump and an apnea machine {it measures his respiratory function while he uses the pump overnight} and sent us on our merry way.

G.G. couldn't wait to get her hands on this cuteness.

Jack used his hammer to help Handsome Hero set up the pole for the formula bag.

 Don't worry, Dad.  I'm here to help.

Ella used her doll's fishing pole.

 A hammer?  Please.  That's just for amateurs.  Now, a fishing pole, on the other hand....

 

Very helpful, those two.  Couldn't have done it without 'em.

 

We're in a sort of routine now.  Nate has to be hooked up to the pump and the apnea machine each night at a specific time, and it is a bit involved, but we're getting better at it.  He doesn't like it much, but calms down pretty quickly.

 

I must think zen thoughts.  I weigh less than a slice of bread.  Ommmmm.

 

While Nate is getting calories through the feeding tube, he still isn't interested in eating on his own.  The forcast is for Nate to use this tube for four to six weeks, and then be reevaluated.  Our challenge is to get him to want to eat solid food and take a sippie cup or something so that he won't need the tube in order to gain weight.  Right now that seems like a tall order, but, again, we've seen it work with Jack, so we know it can happen.

We are so happy to be home and getting into a routine.  It isn't exactly normal, as I listen to the machines whirring in Nate's room, but we're thankful for the ability to do this at home instead of staying for a long time in the hospital.  I am so glad to be home with my family.  And may I say, sleeping on my own pillowtop mattress is a beautiful thing.  It welcomed me with open arms.  At least I think it did.  I was so sleep deprived I may have dreamed that part.

Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.  Please pray for Nate to begin to desire food.  Also pray that he doesn't take out his tube.  If he does, we have to take him back to the hospital to get it re-inserted, which is painful and absolutely no fun.