Connor at Home

Originally uploaded by cnitchie

It took a little longer than expected, but Connor is finally home. The day shift yesterday meant for the night shift to take him off of antibiotics and watch him overnight, so he could come home early this (Friday) morning. However, the night team didn’t get the memo, and kept him on. So they finally took him off this morning, and the attending said to keep him and watch him for a few hours more. So we didn’t actually get out of there until after the 4:00 feeding. We left at about 5:30, and now everybody’s home.

Now that that phase is finally over, some thoughts:

– We are ridiculously lucky. The baby in the next bed to ours had a very early premie, and would be there for at least a few more weeks. There was a little girl across the room who had been there since May 1; I’m not sure what was wrong with her, or when she’d be able to go home. Jason and Greta spent over 3 months in the NICU with their triplets. Except for that first terrifying hour, what we went through was no big deal.
– There’s a special place in heaven for NICU nurses. They must see some terrible things, but still manage to be cheery, matronly, lovely, helpful people.
– We are extremely excited, immensely relieved, and completely terrified. Weird feeling.

Connor, not so much. He wasn’t eating as well as he should’ve been yesterday. Today, he hit all his minimums. It would be nice if he would exceed them, but at least he’s improving. When we went back for the ten o’clock feeding, his feeding tube had been removed, which was an immense relief. Now he’s just got the IV port and his monitor leads; he’s got his whole face all to himself. Shannon’s milk has started to come in, which is a big relief. There’s not much yet, but it’s clearly on its way.

I’m fine with him staying in the hospital today; if we take him home and then have to bring him back, he starts over at zero, undergoing all the tests again, probably resulting in at least a weeks’ stay. I don’t want him until he’s good and ready.

I just hope he’s good and ready tomorrow.

Oh yeah, and tomorrow (Friday; today, actually) is Shannon and my fifth anniversary. We were planning to go to Palio and then go furniture shopping for a nice coffee table to replace the modular plastic shelving we’re currently using (it’s the wood anniversary, apparently). Whatever happens, I have a feeling we’ll have other plans.