We're Going Home Tomorrow!

They’re going to let us go home tomorrow. Yes, you did read that right, we’re going home! I’m so deliriously happy I can’t even explain it to you. Elijah woke up for all of his feedings last night…on his own! They called my room when he woke up so that I could come and feed him and so now he has fed for a full 24 hours without the use of his tube. That’s all you need to do to go home. I would come into the room to the sound of Elijah’s cries and it was so great to know that he is telling me that he is hungry. I need to know when he is upset and he’s telling me. It’s the most beautiful sound in the whole world and yet all I want to do is make the sound go away.

When one of Elijah’s primary nurses came back today, (she’s been gone since last Wednesday) she asked if I would like to take him home today if the doctor said it was okay. I said, “Um, YES!” Then I asked her about CPR since we were supposed to take a class on CPR before we took him home. The earliest we could do that is tomorrow morning, so after we take our class we’re going home (assuming he does well tonight).

I had a really long talk with that same nurse this morning and she told me she was just amazed at the progress he has made. He has only been in the ICC a little over a week and when we first got there, she was telling us it would probably be easier and faster to get him home if we just had the tube put in his stomach. Now look at him! He has taken to both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding like a champ. To me, this is a really good sign that his cognitive development is going well since these are learned behaviors. I really like this nurse. She has been so kind to us and you can tell she really cares. When I was talking to her about everything that has occurred in the last three weeks from his labor and delivery to now, she got tears in her eyes. She’s been our cheerleader and I really appreciate that.

Elijah no longer has the tube in his nose and it’s so nice to see him without any contraptions on his face. The only thing that he is hooked up to now is his monitor, which he doesn’t really need any more. They keep him on it while he is in the hospital, but he doesn’t need it because he’s breathing fine on his own and his heart rate is great. He is doing so well. If you told me yesterday that I’d be going home tomorrow and that they would’ve let us go home today, I don’t know if I would’ve believed you. At this point, we so want to go home, but at the same time, I had to ask our nurse, “Are you sure we’re ready?” She said that we are and I trust her judgment. She has seen how far we’ve come. She was there when he was having major temp issues and she let us hold him and try to get his temp up. We prayed so hard and I think we told her we were praying. She told me today that she didn’t think that he was going to be able to regulate his temp. Now, he’s continually wearing fewer and fewer layers and keeping his temp up great. He’s ready to come home!


Can you believe it?! I am so happy right now my eyes are filled with tears of joy. I know all of you will be rejoicing with me when you read this. Tonight, Andy and I are home without Elijah for the last time. The nurse suggested that we go home and get one last good night’s sleep in before we take him home. I was reluctant at first, but decided that it was a good idea. I can’t take care of him if I’m not well and he can be bottle-fed in my absence. I’ve had to remind myself that I’m also recovering from a major surgery. I still have pain once in awhile and I’ve had a few scares with my recovery. Sometimes I’ve pushed myself too much and my body has reacted. I’m going to bed soon and hopefully can get in some good rest so that I’ll be ready for the sleep deprivation that is to come (not that I haven’t already experienced that!).

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for Elijah’s complete recovery. I can see already how much God has answered prayers. Science certainly cannot explain why Elijah is doing so well. The future is still unknown, but I believe that my little boy will be completely fine. Look how far he has come already. I can tell you one thing; this is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. It’s also been the best thing I’ve ever been through because I have Elijah, I love my husband more than ever, and it’s proven that God listens to prayers and answers. I hope this has been a faith builder for anyone who has been keeping up with Elijah’s progress. My favorite scripture really does ring true (if you recall, it’s Rom. 8:28).


It may be more difficult for me to write such detailed posts once Elijah comes home, but I plan on continuing to write about our little man, so keep checking in on him via this website. Good night…I’m off to get some much needed sleep for probably the last time in awhile.

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