I just came back from my lunch-time visit to the hospital. The PT showed us all the exercises that we need to do with Annie today - no big deal. She said that the orthopedic people may eventually put casts on her legs to straighten them out but we will have to wait and see.
The doctor says that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Annabelle can go home on Monday! Amazing!
There are a few things that have to happen between now and then though:
1) We are meeting with the geneticist today to go over family histories etc.
2) Annie needs to be transported back to Children's Hospital this afternoon for an x-ray to make sure her urinary track is in good working order.
3) Because children with spina bifida frequently have trouble with bladder control, the nurses want to make sure that we are able and comfortable catheterizing her every 4 hours - just to be on the safe side
4) We are meeting with the urologist tomorrow
5) The hospital has a pseudo-apartment near the NICU where Holly, Annie and I will stay tomorrow night. This will give us the chance to practice being on our own while the entire NICU is just down the hall - these people think of everything!
6) Sunday the three of us will all rest and recover from what just might be a sleepless night Saturday night.
7) We may all spend a second night in the NICU dorm on Sunday - just depends.
9) A family who previously had a baby in the NICU donated three car beds to the hospital for patients like us to take home for free! It is basically what you would expect if someone took the concept of an infant car seat and converted it to a bed. This way Annie can ride in the car laying down as opposed to in a car seat that would damage her still-healing back. We need to have Bella try it on for size to make sure it works for her.
And then we go home Monday!
The discharge nurse will make all our initial appointments with the Pediatrician, Spina Bifida Clinic, Neurologist, Plastic Surgeon, Orthopedics and Urologist so we will be off and running with all the various componants of care for Annabelle starting next week.
Whew!
So we have the weekend to get the house in order, give the dawg a bath etc. - goodness gracious. Monday never looked so good!
2 comments:
Anyone with kids will agree with me when I say - Just wait it gets better and just when you think it can't get any better ...it gets better! There isn't an adjective to express my happiness for your miracle!
The best thing about when our babies come home is they're REGULAR babies. That was the biggest surprise when we brought Bryan home. He was in a week after they discharged me and once home....he was such a normal baby. Yes, he had a shunt, feet turned backwards, etc etc...but he was otherwise healthy. These are wonderfully amazing STRONG kiddos. Enjoy!!!! love to all three of you. JoAnn
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