Phoenix is coming HOME!!!!!

This week has been yet another whirlwind, and as I was getting to my end, we heard the fantastic news this Monday that if the wound on his back looked good he could come home as soon as Thursday!!! I pretty much wanted to start bawling right then, but there was no time for that and the timing was pendding on multiple doctors approval. The Plastic Surgeons approval being the top priority. He came Early evening monday and gave the thumbs up saying the skin graph looked good and that we could go home with the approval of the Neonatologist Dr. Ortiz and the NeuroSurgeoun Dr. Ginnusso, both of which were more than excited to say yes. Everyone is amazed at how well he is doing and that the wound is healing. Also, the fact that he has had no breathing issues outside of bottle feeds, which is normal, we know that it is a MIRACLE, thanks to all your prayers.

These last three days have been preparation time at the hospital and home, it is full of a flood of emotions from elation to overwhelming. We have learned everything from Wound care/ dressing to physical therapy and have had to set appointments and figure out insurance and home health care and the list goes on and on. No complaints though because he is sooooooo worth it!!! Thankfully we have the help of professionals. All our amazing nurses and doctors and Pam our personal hospital liason. Know how it works is pending the trial ovenight (tonight) at the hospital (they have hotel like rooms I'll stay in with Phoenix)if all goes well, no breathing issues or anything else, then tomorrow we are discharged. So Amazing, I can't even believe how crazy excited I am, who looks forward to all night nursing and sleepless and all the challenges that come packaged with a newborn, perspective sure changes with trial. I sure am looking forward to all of these things. The day to day is a bit intimidating but we will have a home health nurse coming three days a week for the next 2 weeks, which will be helpful with any questions, complications or fears we face.

On a daily basis we will have to do wound care for his back and Shunt in his head, watching for infection and ensuring that he is not on his back at all. Physical therapy on his feet and knees at all diaper changes, which I know will become second nature over time, a little intimidating right now. As well as paying attention to his breathing and administering meds and the likes. Seems less overwhelming when typing it out, but it is a lot of attention to him and all the signs of possible "issues".I will also do physical therapy 3 times a week and follow up appointment with specialists every week or so. All of that to say, continue to pray for the grace to care for our little man.

Mike and I are continuing to balance eachother out and learning to encourage and strengthen one another in this new season. He is home for four more weeks which is the amazing provision of God, his timing is always perfect. I am thrilled to get to be a Momma at home and to learn all that is to come to care for him and Rowan. Rowan is getting excited as we have set things up for Phoenix, we've explained that he has ouwies and that we have to be very gentle and he said he wants to hug and kiss him. SOOOO cute, I am looking forward to there first meeting, I know after the initial adjusting they will have a very special bond. We went out to dinner last night and there was two brothers sitting next to us the younger one was mentally slow and the older brother handled him so well and lovingly, not even noticing that so many were effected by his love. I felt like it was a gift and picture of the dynamic of Ro and Phoenix together, even though Phoenix's handicap is physical and not mental.

Thank you all for your prayers, love and support we are amazed and thanful for your continual walking with us in this journe, we love you all. I will write again when we are home.