Reincarnated As A Mother: Day 23 in NICU (I'm to tired to come up with snappy titles)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Day 23 in NICU (I'm to tired to come up with snappy titles)

Okay... I'm truly, madly, 100 percent exhausted. Reese and my mom came up to the hospital today to help me give Kean his 2nd bath-- and my favorite nurse Dan (remember the breast guy?) took a ton of pictures-- I'm guessing some are pretty darn cute. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow night. I just can't.
I brought Reese home and even got a little nap. But it wasn't enough. I'm now helping Holland with homework and trying to get the three sweaty girls in a bath. Holland's primary class had an activity at the park. It was fun-- but I certainly overdid it. So since I'm about to start drooling on myself... I'm off to bed shortly. At least until pumping time in 3 hours.
Kean did okay today. Pulled out his feeding tube again. Lots of oxygen issues with him forgetting to breathe while eating. So just an okay day. Reese, on the other hand, dazzled the entire nursing staff by singing lots of cute songs. Oy, what a character.

Nathan Kean

AKA: Mister Miracle, Keanut and Boy Wonder! And in case you have been living under a rock and don't know his "back story"-- he's made quite a splash getting here! In May of 2009, at 24 weeks his mom went into the hospital with some pretty major pregnancy complications. I (mom) lost all of my amniotic fluid and my placenta ripped. After 11 weeks of grueling and extremely monotonous hospital bed rest-- and COUNTLESS MIRACLES-- Kean came into this world kicking and screaming (sweet sounds for a boy who was expected to have lung issues). We were surprised with the news he has Down syndrome but quickly realized we hit the jackpot with this one and his sweet spirit. After 6 1/2 weeks in intensive care (and lots of scary moments) we thought we were through with the lengthy hospital stays. But no... in July 2012 (a month before he turned 3), Kean was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L). Back to the hospital for another four weeks of sheer terror. Once again, were surrounded with love, support and strength and we've seen our little guy emerge as a giant-- brave, strong and inspiring. He (and we) somehow survived 1,157 days of Chemotherapy (nope, that wasn't a typo). It has been the most brutal, agonizing experience but it has also been tender and beautiful in so many ways. If you have met Kean, you will agree-- he is the sweetest little guy who has a pretty important mission to fulfill on this earth. We can't wait to see what he accomplishes in his life!