Tuesday 19 March 2013

Homeward Bound

I have tried to teach myself that anytime a doctor says you will be discharged, to completely ignore them.  For some reason, that was simply not possible today.  After being told yesterday that we would be in hospital for another 2-3 weeks, today we were told it would be more like 1 week.

Once Hope's TPN (liquid nutrients) is running below 8 mls an hour, they will have trouble keeping the line open.  This has caused some re-thinking of our previous plan and the decision was made to speed things up.  The option was never previously considered as they worried that Hope would start to develop an intolerance to feeds as we got higher in volume.  That thinking changed after the mistake that was made last night.

Hope's night nurse yesterday, must not have looked in her chart when she drew up her feeds.  For over 6 hours she received straight formula.  She is supposed to receive 50% formula and 50% breast milk.  She did not throw up or respond at all to this change.  It was decided that we shouldn't push our luck and we've gone back to the mixture, but were encouraged by how well she did on full formula.  The hospital was not very happy with the nurse and I'm sure things will not be very nice for her.  Thankfully it didn't cause any problems with Hope.

Tomorrow I will meet with home nutrition to receive training for the feeding pump that Hope is going to come home on.  I have gone through this training before, but that doesn't seem to matter.  I'm sure I'll have to learn how to give her the injections once again as well.  I just try to be nice and listen patiently as they explain something to me that I already know.

When I was told we would be going home, I was speechless. I didn't expect to hear that we would be leaving sooner and I was shocked.  The doctors were so excited to come and tell me, one of them teared up with excitement as she watched me process the news.  It has been 7 long months in the hospital and we are ready to come home.  Please pray that nothing gets in our way of getting this little girl back into our home.


13 comments:

  1. Hi Amy, I always wonder if the feeding problems are related to her heart condition? Or is it a seperate problem? Fingers are crossed for you!

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  2. Amy, I am tearing up hearing this wonderful news! I can't even begin to imagine how you are feeling. I will continue to pray that in a week's time your family will be reunited under one roof. Let the chaos begin.

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  3. God is good!! Praising Him and thanking Him for His continued protection.

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  4. Tears. Praying for you and baby Hope as you continue along this journey to the next destination.

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  5. I'm tearing up at this news too!! Praying with you for an imminent homecoming!!

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  6. INCREDIBLE!!! God is so good! We've been praying especially that Hope would be home for her first birthday. We will continue to pray. So exciting! :)

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  7. Rejoicing with you and praying that the next week goes by quickly and smoothly!

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  8. What great news! Praying all goes well and the transition home goes smoothly!

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  9. This is amazing! God has a plan and has used this new nurse to show everyone what Hope can tolerate. I am hoping that the hospital isn't too hard on her. Although, it could have gone very bad, so it is also a wakeup call to her to be very careful in the future. Will keep praying Hope home. :)

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  10. Praise God!! Hope is such a strong little girl, I am so proud of her and I don't even know her!

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  11. Wow I am so thrilled for you all. Praying all goes well.

    Naomi

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  12. Glory to God! My prayers are with you and your family! Baby Hope is a fighter and God will help her win this battle! So happy for all of you!!!

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  13. Many congratulations Amy and Shawn. This is the best news of the year :)

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