We are home!

Henry was discharged from the hospital late Friday afternoon. He took one more long nap before we headed home. No more IV, oxygen, wires hooked up to him or daily blood work or chest x-rays. He did go home on five meds along with Tylenol and Tylenol with codeine for pain. Everything has happened way sooner than expected. This procedure typically requires a minimum stay of seven to ten days in the hospital and not uncommon for three weeks. Henry was on his way home after four and half days! Now on to our next challenge - trying to keep an active, almost three-year old calm and quiet. In the hospital, Henry wasn’t in any hurry to sit up or walk. However, home is a different story. Much of Saturday was spent watching Little Einsteins, Team Umizoomi and of course, Nemo. However by Sunday, he was getting himself down from the couch, playing puzzles and pushing cars on the rug. He is still quite traumatized from the prior week events, so he sleeps restlessly and giving medicine turns into quick meltdowns. Steve, Ben and Will spent the weekend riding bikes, swimming and playing baseball. Also, Mark and Janis took Ben and Will to an Angels game on Friday night. Henry loves seeing his brothers. However, the three boys together can get loud and rough quickly. Although Henry is home, CHLA has us going back almost weekly for follow-up care. Henry will go back to CHLA on Tuesday for blood work, chest x-rays and a check-up with the surgical team. He is also on warfarin for a minimum of six months to a year, which requires his blood drawn twice a week initially and hopefully will lessen to a few times a month. Other restrictions are a low-fat diet and no lifting under the arms and obviously, no “rough playing” for eight weeks Although I am exhausted and overwhelmed, being home has never felt so good. Thank you Jesus!