Thankful

As we are on fall break today, I got to thinking back a bit.  It was 4 years ago today that Jack's medical journey began.  I've added the carepage update from the first day at the hospital after finding out Jack's heart diagnosis.  It's amazing to look back now at how God provided for us during that emotionally, physically, everything tough time.  It was then that we met an amazing group of doctors and professionals that would become such an awesome support during the first year of his life.  It was during this time that we truly grew so close as a family and learned to really trust and depend on each other, but more importantly to put our trust and faith in God to take care of the situation, whatever the outcome.  It was during this time that I found so much peace in the verse Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I knew Jack was going to be a fighter.  The last 4 years have been amazing to watch him grow and prosper and turn in to this big boy!  We are so thankful.

Here are some pictures of that first hopsital stay followed by the carepage update of the events:



Getting settled into our room at the hospital for a few days.  Can you see the eyes from the shock of finding out our baby had a heart problem?



heart monitors, pulse ox beeps, and IV fluids were going non-stop

I love the little one eye look.  And look at that color! (jaundice baby!)

Posted October 12, 2006 on carepages.com
So we have now been at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for 24 hours. The past couple days have been a whirlwind of the unexpected. It started out as a simple visit to the lactation consultant because little Jack was still a bit slow with his eating. Despite all of our attempts, he just could not take a good long feeding. At the lactation consultant, it was suspected that Jack might have a heart murmur or a cold. So, we headed straight to the pediatrician that day to find out. Turns out, the ped thought it might be a murmur so he set us up an appointment at the cardiologist at Children's for the next day (Thursday). Thursday's appointment revealed that Jack has 2 holes in his heart. We were completely taken aback by this diagnosis. We truly were expecting to hear something along the lines of a murmur that needed periodic checking. Never did we think that we would admit little Jack to the hospital until atleast Monday. And of course, we were devasted by the news that open heart surgery could eventually be needed. So, that's the history of the past 48 hours....


Here's what happening now. The doctors have started Jack on several medicines. One medicine is a diuretic that is working on removing the extra fluid around Jack's heart and lungs. Because of this fluid, his heart is not being very efficient and having to work extra hard. He is also taking some medicines that reduce his blood pressure. That way his heart is not having to work near as hard. These medicines are not intended to "fix" the holes in the heart. There really isn't a non-surgical way to do that...unless God intervenes. And we are still going to hold out for the latter option.

Right now, the focus is on "eating and growing." Jack has got to eat. Since his heart is working so hard, his little body is just worn out from all the work. He sleeps tremendous amounts. We have to stay on a strict schedule of feeding (or attempting to rouse and feed) him every 3 hours. Sometimes this is harder than imagined. The importance if this "eat and grow" theory is the proportion of the heart to the holes. If Jack is growing and his heart is growing, hopefully the holes will stay the same size and be smaller compared to the heart. The holes will not get any bigger. Unfortunately though, right now the holes are classified as medium to large. A cardiologist was very honest with me last night and informed me that she truly belives that Jack will be one of the ones that needs the open surgery. Not what we wanted to hear, but we appreciated the honesty. This surgery is supposed to be one that surgeon's like doing. By the book, they say. Anyways, we won't focus on that though. They would hope not to have to do that until he is around 6 months old.

So, eat and grow...that's the plan for the next couple of days. We are just waiting to see how his body responds. Monday we go back to cardiology for a follow-up echo. Hopefully this will show great improvement and we will be able to take him home.

We are so greatful for the people here at the hospital. The doctors and nurses are taking such great care of all 3 of us. We also know that God has put all of these people and resources in our path to help us during this extremely difficult time. We are also so thankful for the prayers and words of support/encouragement that so many of you are offerring. It is such a blessing to know that so many people are thinking of us. We'll keep updating!

Stapps Ranch

We visited this great farm called Stapps Ranch today.  A guy I work with was telling us about it and our families planned a trip out there. Now, this was in Indiana and an hours drive, but when we got there, we knew it was worth the drive.  One of the first things we got to do was have an experience with a 5 week old Bengal tiger cub.  This little creature was amazing.  We always see people getting to be up close to them on tv, but this time it was our turn.  Caroline LOVED the little cub.  Jack didn't want to touch and we barely got a picture with him.  Then it was time to take a tractor ride.  The 1 hour long ride had 7-8 stops along the way where we got to see and encounter animals and feed them.  It was so fun and family friendly (and cheap)!  It was a bit warm, but other than that, the day was perfect!  We can't wait to go again sometime.

Petting the Bengal tiger cub

Love this picture

Jack was not so sure about the little guy

The male bison...he was huge!

Jack feeding the massive bison some corn

Taking a stop to feed ducks, rams, and goats

Back on the tractor

Caroline thinking about throwing the corn to the long horned steer

A beautiful fall day and feeing catfish!

Caroline not so sure about feeding the camels

Jack feeding the llamas.  We love the llama llama books, so this was neat for him.

Firehouse visit

We love our neighbors Richard and Ashley.  Ashley ran around with the kids and me yesterday while Tommy was out of town.  We went to a fun craft fair in the morning and then stopped by the firehouse after naptime to visit Richard. The kids had an absolute ball.

They look so little!

sitting on the back of the fire truck. 

Jack's showing off his badge he got.

Caroline got so many compliments on her cheerleader outfit.

How fun!

Is there any doubt they enjoyed the visit?

Four, really??

Jack turned 4 today.  I keep thinking, "really, how can he be 4 already?"  We have had so much fun with his birthday this year.  It's really been more of a birthday week than just a today celebration.  This year he has really understood more about what's going on.  He's been excited, but I think at some points I was more excited than him.  Today involved starting out with a special donut breakfast, cupcakes for his school friends, a double decker chocolate cake with sprinkles and an evening picked by Jack.  I let him choose what we were having for dinner this week.  The first night was spaghetti.  The following night Jack was a bit more complex.  His request: a whole chicken to eat off the bone, applesauce, mac n cheese, and milk.  Interested, but he ate it.  He doesn't usually eat it off the bone, but hey, if the boy will eat, let him!  Then tonight, what did this 4 year old request?  I was shocked when he confidently said he wanted to go to Chucke Cheese for his birthday.  He had a blast.  Caroline really enjoyed it too.  What a fun week it's been.  He's also pretty pumped for this weekend when he has his party.  I oh so much love this little (but getting so big) boy! 



My favorite first day picture of Jack



Air Hockey at Chuckecheese

Caroline getting in on the fun

Playing the games

This was the picture I got before we left.  He had a great time!

Jack chose devil food with chocolate icing.  Is this my child with all the chocolate?

Gosh, he's getting so big!

He was not hesitant about the candles at all!

Dig in!

And of course, Caroline wasn't so sure about the dirty hands!

Diva

Caroline and I got the chance to venture to East TN to visit with Grammy, Grandpa, Gigi, and Uncle Mark after the events in Portland this past week.  Caroline thoroughly enjoyed some one on one time with Grammy and Grandpa.  Here she is enjoying one of the surprises they had for her...necklaces!  She also had a ball having her first tea party!  I think my favorite thing about this is the unprovoked pose she threw out there as Grammy snapped this photo.

Grandad Bowman

This past week was a difficult one for the Bowman family.  Grandad Bowman passed away on Monday, September 6.  Just look at the picture and you can see what a sweet, sweet man he was.  I absolutely love this picture as it really captures his playful spirit.  I loved watching Grandad give Tommy a hard time about his "short britches", his shaved head, or his facial hair.  Grandad was such a strong influence in Tommy's life.  Grandad always welcomed me and made me feel like a part of the family.  And oh how he loved his great grandchildren.  Jack enjoyed going to his house and seeing the big dogs and playing with some of Tommy's old toys.  I think Jack also knew that he was bound to get some kind of sweet snack at his house!  We will miss him so much but are rejoicing that he is enjoying his Heavenly home now.  More than the family man, Grandad was a strong Christian man.  What a strong testimony he left.  It was special to hear all the kind words people said about him during his ceremony.  Grandad, we love you!

Labor Day

The city of Florence has fun parades.  We decided to go yesterday for the Labor Day parade.  The kids have so much fun waving and collecting goodies.  Caroline REALLY got into it this time.  Here are some fun pictures from it.  It's hard to believe how big these two are getting.  I look at these photos of Caroline and her chubby little cheeks are missing and she's really thinning down.  Where is that little baby look??  And Jack, he's getting so tall!  So hard to believe he'll be 4 this year..wait, in a few weeks!  By the way, family who might be looking for ideas...he's a good 3T right now in clothing.  And toys, well, the boy has a bunch!  But if you inisist, he really would be happy with just about anything from Toys R Us.  He's still loving dinosaurs, trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks, balls, etc, etc.  There's always the college account...I know, no fun.

Getting so big!

I see Tommy all over this picture.

Jack's words, "Oh wow...3 ambulances!!" and trying to show us all of them.

So cool

Caroline really enjoyed the parade.  So much she tried to join it!  This girl is fast!

Someone was passing out these head pieces.  We got a quick picture with Caroline.

Jack wore it a bit more willingly.  More candy!

So hard to get a good pictures of both of them!