Reincarnated As A Mother: Inch By Inch

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Inch By Inch

I have to admit, I was dreading going up to the hospital today. I'm just so tired of it all. Thankfully, it looks like the trips are almost over. The Caffeine medication seems to be making a big difference. Kean's Oxygen desats are finally slowing down. So the doctor put in a prescription to my pharmacist that I'm supposed to pick up tomorrow. I will also be meeting with the guy from the company where we will be renting his monitors tomorrow to learn how to work the darn things. We don't know if Kean gets to go home tomorrow or Thursday. It all depends on how he's doing. I'm ready either way!!!!!!!!!!!
The girls are giddy with excitement. And my mom is coming back up here on Thursday. She wisely thinks I'll need some help with the kids, especially if I'm up on and off all night with the baby. Byron and his brother are heading to Montana next week to see his parents. Byron's 91 year old father fell and cracked his ribs. It never ends, does it?
One final note, I'm officially nominating my friend Stacey Hofman for Sainthood. Anyone have any connections with the Pope? She has coordinated babysitting for Reese, orchestrated having dinners brought into my house for 17 weeks, visited me countless times in the hospital, laughed with me, cried with me, cleaned my house, etc. etc. etc. She picked Reese up today from Preschool and brought her back to my house for a nap. When I got home today, there were 15 bottles of homemade tomato and barley soup sitting on my counter top-- all ready for my winter pantry. Plus the nicest, sweetest note you've ever read about all these friends of mine who helped make it with tomatoes, onions etc. from their gardens. It was signed, "Love, the Soup Committee". I can't feel sorry for myself, when I have so many blessings in my life.

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!