Clear for takeoff

Hi everyone,

Peter is all set to be discharged tomorrow! The past week has been very busy. Michel and I have each spent a night at the hospital learning Peter's night routines (thank goodness, he is a good sleeper). We have had five hours of training on his machines--ventilator, oxygen monitor, suction pump, food pump. We have learned how to administer his medications. We have rearranged the living room to accommodate his crib, equipment and supplies. We attended a discharge planning conference with his cardiologist, pulmonologist, respiratory technicians, care managers, and home nursing agency. We have signed papers and checked off checklists.

Peter, on the other hand, has no idea what's in store! He has been steadily growing and learning how to be a good eater. His tube feeding is turned off for 8 hours each day and during that time he takes his food from a bottle. He now eats the same mixture of 45% fat-free breast milk and 55% fat-free formula concentrate that he gets through the tube. The idea is to get more calories in by mouth so that the tube gets used less.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. The triumphant convoy back home will feature Peter travelling by ambulance for his comfort and the entertainment of our neighbors. There will be people in and out of the house for several hours checking and adjusting his equipment, etc. I am curious to see how Peter takes it all. He was so amazed at being moved from PICU to the third floor that he did not nap the entire day--no telling what he will make of this. Praise God that he has brought us this far, and pray that he will help us all adjust to this wonderful change.