Sweet Progress

Slow and steady wins the race. Isn't that the moral to the Tortoise vs. the Hare story? Well, that's our new motto in the hospital. Kean did great today. He latched on twice and remembered to keep breathing! We're making progress. The Neo-natalogist said he's doing great-- but it will all be up to him when he gets to go home. He's got to suck, swallow and breathe-- all at the same time. Quite a tall order for a premie with Down's. But I'm optimistic and thrilled with his hard work.
The Radiologist did an ultrasound today on his hips. There was concern that since he was in the womb without fluid and had his feet tucked up next to his face for the past three months-- that there might be some hip dysplasia. He passed with flying colors. All looks fabulous. Chalk up another miracle.
And finally, I had to share-- my dear friend, Gwen Castaldi composed a poem for our little Spartacus. It captures everything so perfectly-- I thought some of you might like to read what she wrote. I grew up watching Gwen on TV in Vegas. She was a true journalist and one of my earliest inspirations. She was the main anchor at my first TV station and had made quite the name for herself covering the mobsters in Vegas. If you ever see the movie Casino-- Gwen is the reporter who interviews Robert DeNiro. She's a wonderful friend and once you read her poem-- you'll see one reason why I love her so...

Precious
There he is,
sweet baby boy,
first known inside,
a belly picture,
a stirring,
an upstart,
growing to soon join
the human race.

The physical battle,
the bed rest, the waiting,
the anticipation,
the wish to
give birth without incident,
the hope
to give birth with health and joy,
to bring the cycle of life
around to the conclusion
of prenatal life Chapter One.

Now
he is here,
having arrived in life Chapter Two
in a flurry of pain and madness,
the chaos of bright lights,
medical tubes, humming monitors,
flashing sensors,
and the hands of neonatal caregivers.
At first,
we felt
such gut-wrenching news,
those haunting fears and worries,
the natural upset wonder of “why”.

Little Kean,
now the subject of studies and warnings,
the object of everyone’s attention
not only for his own sweet self,
but his condition that
brings with it
so many life challenges.

So we are off
on the road race of
growing up Downs.

We have established mileposts,
but no accurate maps.
We have professional medical input,
but no guarantees.
We have instead,
the chance to find out
what God will have us
see, feel,
cry about, laugh at,
cheer lead, learn and handle,
as we travel through
this new maze.
We will not judge
why God has dealt this hand
to us.
He is, after all, a human gift from God.

Kean has our unconditional
love, care and support
and that of many others.
This baby boy has
our faith
and that of many others.

We will encourage,
make progress forward
and take steps back,
all the while,
treasuring this baby boy
that has been given us,
knowing much more will be revealed
about him and his life in due time.
Tiny Kean
will have a life
like no other,
with his own individual footprint
on life, including all his
special traits, unique views,habits, learning,
wishes, joys, longings.
And accomplishments.

He is ours at all costs.
Precious.

-Gwen Castaldi
19 August 2009