We have dreamed for almost five months of the day that Gabriel would be well enough to come home. At times it has seemed an impossibility, and at others it was a goal that was just out of reach. This time, though, it might just happen. We have been given a tenative (as always) go-home date of September 24 - just six days after his due date....which was today. Trent and I are both trying to grasp the concept that if all had gone "according to plan" (our plan, that is) we would be meeting our son today for the first time. It seems unreal that under other circumstances we wouldn't know that he had a cleft chin, or a little dimple in his left cheek, or that he likes to lay on his right side and have his arm up. We wouldn't know that he has monster-man-farts or that he loves bubble baths. Since this is God's plan for Gabriel, I feel alright saying that I am happy I already know my son so well. Every time I look at him, I can put aside all that has happened to us and just focus on him and love him.
So, in order to go home on September 24th, there are several things that need to happen.... Gabriel will need to pass several screening "tests" such as a hearing test and a car seat test. He has already passed all of his eye exams with flying colors, and we received word this week that he is cleared of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and won't need the weekly exams he has had for the last 8 weeks! Since he will go home on oxygen and some nasogastric feedings, we have to set up the delivery of oxygen, feeding supplies, apnea monitor, etc. He is taking over the house and he has never even been in it! All of his care-givers will need to be checked off on neonatal CPR and learn to place the NG tube, as well as how to care for his incisions and circumcision. We will have lessons on mixing the high-calorie fortified breast milk, apnea monitor, at-home oxygen, "back to sleep", car seat safety, drug dosages, and breathing treatments, not to mention getting the house "ready" and sterilized for him...all while working Monday-Wednesday! It should be a pretty packed week, but we will cherish each minute....we have been looking forward to this for the last 130 days!
Our families are anxious as well...my dad wants to carry Gabriel out of the hospital...a rite of passage: "out into the world for the first time". He did this with Luci as well, so it is his "tradition"....but it has turned out to be so meaningful because this little boy was never supposed to make it "into the world". Trent's parents are excited too, but I know they will miss George when he comes home on the same day as Gabriel...they have selflessly taken care of him for the last two or three months, but in that time a very ornery George won their hearts. When their beloved Sheltie, Amos, passed away, George was there to console them. I'm sure George will miss being spoiled by Grandma Spangler as much as she will miss him.
It will be a bitter sweet day, however, since we will be leaving our NICU family that we have become so close to. Our nurses, doctors, RT's, unit secretaries....everyone will be extremely missed. They have been the reason that we have made it through our time here, and it will seem odd not to see them every day. I know some relationships in life are just for a time, but I hope our time together has meant as much to them as it has to us.
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| The ever-present Shari...watching over us |
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