How I Made It...179 days

I've been asked many times how I made it through 179 days in the NICU between both boys... This is how.

Let the Storm Subside

I have faced so many storms in my life, some like the quick afternoon storms that are common in the summertime and some that seemed like category four hurricanes!

If I have learned anything about weathering those storms, it has been that they don't last forever, and I don't need to make major decisions in the midst of them.

Thoughts and feelings run wild in the midst of crises, but those are exactly the times we need to be careful about making decisions. I often say to myself, "Let emotions subside before you decide."

We must remain calm and discipline ourselves to focus on doing what we can do and trust God to do what we can't do.
Instead of drowning in worry and fear, get in touch with God, who sees past the storm and orchestrates the big picture.

He makes sure everything that needs to happen in our lives happens at the right time, moves at the appropriate speed, and causes us to arrive safely at the destinations He has planned for us.

Prayer Starter: God, I know that I can't control everything, so I will do what I can and trust You to do what I can't do. The storms of life do not control me. I trust Your plans for me.

Psalm 46:1-3

~Joyce Meyer devotional

At no point in time between Jackson coding and Austin's three surgeries did I ever think that I wouldn't bring them home, I knew I would and through everything He was there. Don't get me wrong, there were days that we super hard, but I was always calm because I knew we had Him healing two fragile little boys.

Fast forward to today...Jackson with his scarred little lungs was released from the pulmonologist free from the Chronic Lung Disease that has plagued him for 5 years and Austin who is growing like a weed and no longer needs the care of the GI doctor because he is gaining weight at such a rapid pace.

We are so Thankful!

Surgery #5

Weight: 9lbs 2oz

I took Austin to see Dr. Renard today, the surgeon that has operated on him several times, and he will be having surgery again but we don't have a date/time yet.

Please pray for us all. This is not as serious as we have been through, but we are wearing down with all the surgeries that Austin has had to go through.

Thanks!

Impromptu visit to the pediatrician

Weight: 8lbs 10oz

While talking to my mom today to check on Austin, she asked me about a lump on his right side near where he had his colostomy. I hadn't really noticed it but called the pediatrician to have it checked out. We were able to get in late this afternoon and she thinks he may have an abdominal wall hernia. It's really close to his surgery site. I will be calling his surgeon's office tomorrow to make an appointment. Yay, fun!

One good thing about this visit is that Austin got officially weighed! Based on his current pattern of growth his doctor anticipates that he will hit the growth chart at around 7-8 months old. If you look at his curve, it is going almost straight up. He's doing this all on his own without any extra calories in his milk.