Giving It Up For Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday.  It would be my brother’s 42^nd birthday if Heaven hadn’t needed him more.  And most relevant to me today is that it is DISCHARGE DAY!  For Lent this year, I am giving up room 8114 at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center!  That’s right; the Six Dream Weavers will soon all be together under ONE roof again!  We have been on this adventure for 12 LONG days.  We are so thankful for the care we have received here, and so happy that Finn has recovered fully!  This has been QUITE a ride, but one we are sure happy to be getting off of.

Last I wrote it was Sunday morning, and we seem to have been in a holding pattern of sorts since then.  We had been told more than once that it was all up to Finn, and we know better than anyone that he is on his OWN (unpredictable) time table.  We had been told on Friday that we would possibly go home Sunday.  Well, here is is Wednesday, and we are finally on the way! Here’s what the last few days have looked like:

Sunday, February 10 – Children’s Hospital:  They attempted a room air test not long after Finn woke up.  He failed.  I cried.  Back on .25L of flow for O2 support.  Britt encouraged me to go back to Stillwater to regroup, so I did.  I got to see my parents and my kids – helped shuffle them from one play date to another.  I also went to work for a few hours and got some work done.  It was a break I really needed.  I was back by dinner time, and I sure had missed my boys!  I had thought we might go home Monday, too…

Monday, February 11 – Children’s Hospital: Today, Britt got up very early and headed back to Stillwater for a day of work.  I now the big kids (and my mom) were happy to see him and have a bit of normalcy.  That morning we were told one more night.  His chest was sounding better and better – just had to get off that oxygen support!  He was down to .03L (next seeing is off), but he was relying on it.  We were going to have a room air test at 10:00am, but he fell asleep so it was postponed.  But, he needed ADDITIONAL support during the nap, so he would have failed anyway.  But, after lunch, they turned it off, and he did GREAT on room air the rest of the evening until bedtime when they turned it back up to .03L flow.   They also pulled the IV out, so that’s one less nuisance to worry with.  Britt decided to stay in Stillwater and get a work day in on Tuesday as well, so I spent a long lonely night in the hospital.

Tuesday, February 12 – Children’s Hospital: SNOW DAY!  Finn really enjoyed watching the GIANT snowflakes fall outside our window!  But that’s about all he enjoyed!  After a good night of sleep with O2 at .03, he was awake early due to dispensing of meds, and was super fussy while we waited on breakfast (but he was on room air!).  After he ate, he fell back asleep.  And only got about 30 minutes in due to rounds.  Once things settled down again, about 11, he went back to sleep – and O2 support!  UGH!  Woke up at 1:00, mad at the world.  Took FOREVER to get a lunch tray, then he ate a good lunch before puking all over me.  TWICE.  I was tired, frustrated, and weepy.  I called for reinforcements.  Seems that was JUST what Finn needed!  Once Daddy got here, he was in a much better mood, stayed off the O2, and was FUN to be around!  It was a GREAT afternoon – and an EXCELLENT night!  We were both nervous all night watching his O2 saturation number.  We needed it to stay above 90.  Every time I woke up it was 92 or higher!  So exciting, but nervous it might not last.

Wednesday, February 13 – Children’s Hospital.  WE DID IT!  No O2 all night – AWESOME saturation numbers!  He didn’t just accept the task, he EXCELLED at it!  First Doctor was in about 7:30,said we would probably go home today.  2^nd Doctor was in about 7:50 – said we would most likely go home today.  3^rd doctor was in at 8:10.  Said we were GOING HOME!  He said everything was almost ready.   They would round, and then “push the button” to get us out of here!  Probably around lunch time.  WE MADE IT!  YAY Finn for all his hard work!

Wednesday, February 13,- HOME!  They finally discharged us to go home at 2:00pm.  After a stop for cupcakes, we headed back to Stillwater. SO happy to be home.  We are weary, we are tired, but we are HOME!  So thankful for a successful conclusion.  

Thank you SO MUCH for all the prayers!  I hope the next Finn update is NOTHING but GOOD NEWS!

Just Know You're Not Alone

As I sit here thinking about one year ago today when we were rooming in with our tiny son for the very first time, the stark differences from 365 days ago really stand out to me.  We have come SO far!  Finn, of course, has made the most strides, but as a family we have made some serious changes as well.  A different home.  A different school for the big kids.  A different job for me.  The girls are really growing and changing into fantastic young women.  Jake gets smarter and funnier every day.  And of course, sweet Finn. He is standing (while holding on) all the time, babbling up a storm – especially in the car, eating like a teenager (all the time and lots of it), and generally being a perfect 14 month old (even exhibiting some signs of fit throwing toddlers are renowned for)! He even graduated from his infant bucket seat to a big boy car seat!

Christmas celebrations were fun and memorable as usual.  My kids were spoiled by grandparents on all sides, and we were lucky enough to be chosen by some dear family members as their “angel family” for the holiday, so we were all spoiled with sweet love from our “Kansas Santas.”  Starting last week with office parties, school parties, and the usual hustle and bustle, it has been a great Christmas for the Weavers.  We spent Christmas Eve at my parents’ house opening gift with them, as well as Gigi and Papa Les.  Christmas Day, the Six Dream Weavers opened presents here in our home before hosting our very first holiday meal ever!  We just realized in the (almost) 7 years we have been married we’ve never hosted!  We had my parents here, and had a nice turkey lunch with ALL the fixings, and then we all played with the kids’ new toys and games. So fun!  Later that afternoon it was off to Aunt Paula’s for more festivities!  There was a threat of a severe snowstorm (which never materialized), so our celebrations were not as originally planned, but we did finally get to see Britt’s parents the day after Christmas and have a nice meal with them as well.  Fun and crazy few days as usual!  It was great to be able to keep it low key, stay basically in one place, and ENJOY being a family of 6!  Finn didn’t really “get” it all, but he sure is enjoying his new toys, warm fuzzy PJ’s, and all the crazy food and fun!  Christmas night, 5 of the Dream Weavers went to the movies to see “Parental Guidance” while Finn stayed with Nana and Grandpa.  It was a hilarious movie and an awesome good time for us as a family.  We all really enjoyed it, and it was a nice way to spend time with the girls before they left.  Too bad Jake got sick from too much movie popcorn and threw up all over our room in the middle of the night afterwards! Reminds me of another Christmas when Jake threw up…

Finn

Jake

Emma

Lara

Unfortunately, today has started off on a bit of a sour note. Emma and Lara are still in the City with their other dad, and I am missing them like crazy.  They sent me a text with a picture of all the snow they are getting down there.  It’s just cold here – no snow. Jake spent the night at Aunt Paula and Uncle Brad’s last night, so he’s not home.  Britt is sick with the stomach bug, and Finn has a high fever.  Even though this is not ideal, it is still so good to be HOME.  I know Jake will be home later today, the girls will be home this weekend, and we will all be a family FOREVER!  Home is not just the place where you live.  Home is where you belong.   Home feels good.  Secure.  Safe.  Warm.  Comfortable. It’s where you want to end up after a rough day.  Or a tough season in life. So glad to be HOME.