Back at Home

Carson, Preston, and I returned home Wednesday. It was earlier than we were expecting and thank goodness, Carson was getting so bored being in the hospital. We left Wednesday morning right after they did the trach change. The doctor wanted to take his trach out so he could see the incision and the stoma site but Preston was able to put the new trach in. Carson did amazingly well! There were a few tears but it went much better than it could have been. Praise the Lord! I had prayed for the trach change throughout the night.

I was so proud of Carson during this hospital stay and recovery! He took each obstacle as it came and usually had a huge smile, wave, or high five afterwards even though there were often tears in the midst. It didn't help that the doctors did their rounds at 6 am. So, most of the unpleasant things were also Carson's wake up call. Poor guy! Kellen was a trooper also. He broke up the monotony for Carson by coming to visit. While, it was a little confusing to him to see Carson IN the hospital, he always wanted to come visit Carson and Mom said that as they were leaving one day, Kellen said, "I miss Carson."

We are adjusting being at home with a new feeding schedule. They said most kids don't eat as well with the stent in place because it feels very awkward when you swallow. Carson has actually surprised us but still is not eating and drinking as much by mouth so we have to do a majority of his feedings by Gtube. This means he is getting ALOT more liquid than he is used to and we have to do more feedings. But the biggest adjustment is just not being able to hear Carson. He is doing a good job of mouthing what he wants to say but he can't get our attention unless he walks over to us and there are many things that I can't figure out what he is trying to say. It is very frustrating for Carson, and for me. It breaks my heart that he isn't able to share everything that he is thinking but I'm trying to keep in mind that it is short term. Kellen has asked several times, 'Will Carson being able to talk now?' 'When will we be able to hear Carson?'. But Kellen is adjusting also and does a good job of trying to figure out what Carson is saying. Just today, they were riding their bikes and since Carson can't tell Kellen stuff. Kellen would just follow Carson around and mimic what Carson was DOING on his bike. I'm so thankful for that TWIN CONNECTION.

While I was feeling rather overwhelmed and emotionally drained with the new schedule and just the stress of not hearing Carson and trying so hard to understand everything he is saying, I was reminded to take each day at a time and not get too far ahead of myself. Again, just to stay in the moment and find the joy in EACH moment.

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him. Exodus 15:2

I was reminded AGAIN to not get ahead of myself when KELLEN started running a fever Friday night! Of all things... Not sure how Kellen would have gotten sick but none the less, he has ran a fever since then. Please stick in some prayers that somehow, someway Carson may be spared and that Kellen recovers quickly. We're are trying to keep them separated which is so very hard!

Thank you again for the many prayers while we were in Cincinnati and the continued prayers for Carson's healing. We will not know the full success of this surgery until October 30th when the stent has been removed for a week and they go back in to see how Carson's airway is healing and responding.

Thumbs up!!! (as we were leaving Cincinnati Children's)

Carson was doing his happy dance when he recognized how close we were to home! : )

LOVE that smile!!

Back on their bikes again!!

Ice cream with Nana before she went home!