Free At Last

After spending 50 days in Hotel Spectrum, I have finally been freed. They have dared to let me out. Can’t you just picture me doing my happy dance! The best way to describe my feelings is bitter-sweet.

After spending over 7 weeks with the same revolving group of women, I feel as if I know them and we became friends. I feel very connected to many of the wonderful nurses, and it makes me sad that I will not have the daily interaction with them. I couldn’t have asked for more kind and caring nurses! It is nice to know that I can visit with them at any time, since I will still go to the NICU on a daily basis. I also volunteered to go back if needed. They sometimes ask ‘old’ patients to come back and speak with some of the new patients when needed (because they are in the same situation, can relate in some fashion…). It was also very comforting to me to know that I was in the same building as the triplets. I could go down and visit with them any time I wanted. My time with them will now be mainly limited to the day time, when Quin is at daycare. I felt very mixed emotions about leaving the hospital five days after having my babies, without them. Obviously, I have always known that this was going to be the way I would leave (with them at the NICU), but it is still very difficult on an emotional level.

As much ‘bitter’ as I felt today, it was also mighty sweet. To see Quin in her environment, not my hospital room, was priceless. I can’t describe the feelings of joy I have now that I am able to spend quality time with her at home where she knows me best. I can already tell that she is pushing her limits with me to see if things have changed, but she was also very lovey-dovey with me tonight. She doesn’t usually stop moving until she falls asleep. She was still her busy-body self, but would all of a sudden stop, look at me, hold her hands up with outstretched arms saying ‘mommy, mommy’ wanting a hug. How much better could my homecoming be! I am excited to sleep in my own bed, wake up at my own house, and take a shower in my own bathroom.

I will probably continue to describe the next few months as bitter-sweet. Although we will be exhausted once the triplets come home, it is definitely something to look forward to.

Jason and I spent a large amount of our time today with the triplets. They continue to do well! Today was Easton’s lucky day. They took him off of the ventilator, and put him back on the CPAP. When we left, both he and Gianna were breathing well on the CPAP. All three are also off of the bililight, for the time being. They will continue to do blood tests to make sure their levels are normal. All three are being fed breast milk through a tube that goes directly into their stomach. It isn’t necessarily for nutrition at this time. It is called ‘gut-priming’. Basically the milk is telling their intestines that eventually it will be coming ‘through the pipes’. In order to introduce good bacteria to their intestines, the breast milk is also mixed with pro-biotics (similar to that Activia yogurt). They do not have a suck-swallow reflex yet. They are given nutritional supplements through an IV.

We are cautiously optimistic about their progress. We know not to bank on all of their progress. We are continuing to make good strides, but know we are in this for the long haul. Thank you for your continued prayers!
Joelee