Miracle of Miracles

I've been silent the last few days because I couldn't believe and didn't want to jinx the outcome they were putting before us.

After spending twice the time they expected in surgery, we were not surprised to here he would need double the recovery time too.  

Thankfully, God and Jared had different plans.

Instead of a week (or more) in the ICU he spent less than three days.

Instead of a week in the hospital after that he spent five days.

JARED WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL TODAY!!

I think I've been holding my breath for the last three days as he continued to quickly overcome each obstacle needed to be released.

When they took out his other two chest tubes out Monday night, they wanted to get it done so quickly they did not use the amnesia drug but only morphine.  He was so tough, he didn't flinch or cry out, he just teared a little after it was done and said it hurt.  I kissed the tears away and told him how proud I was and how courageous he was.  The nurses showered the praise too saying he was the best patient they'd ever had.

I was so overcome I ran down to the gift shop to pick up another lego set.  I had to do something to praise my brave boy!

Next we just needed a clear X-ray, ECHO and 24 hours on oral instead of IV meds.  

The New England Revolution (professional soccer) came by for a demonstration Tuesday and there Jared was eight days out of surgery kicking the ball around in the hospital green.  The even more amazing part is he never squatted.  He used to squat a lot to get the oxygen he needed whenever doing anything athletic, even going for a walk.  When we met with his cardiologist last night he laughed about the soccer and said he was glad he didn't know about it.  

His cardiologist had other news that blew me away last night.  When we left for Boston, our goal was simply to save his life.  It had truly gotten to that point.  What the doctor offered us was beyond my expectations.  He offered him a "normal" life, free of almost all restrictions (except contact sports), possibly free of even another dreaded surgery.  He told us we could start to "mainstream" him.  This is something I never even hoped for, the thought that Jared would be "normal". 

Now that is not to say that we are out of the woods yet.  All this is dependent on everything healing well over the next six months to a year, a clean stress test and of course our cardiologist's approval.   We will still need to be vigilant that he not get sick, that the chest wound not get infected etc.

We will stay in Boston one more week for our follow-up appointment on 9/20.  At this appointment they will make sure no fluid has built up (still a possibility) and remove the stitches from where the chest tubes were located.

However, if all goes well, we will start heading home after the appointment.  We will reverse our course here, driving two days and then catching the train in Lorton, VA and arriving back in Orlando, Saturday, September 22, 2012.  

See I always knew Michaelmas was the best time of the year!

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

For Auntie Susie and Grandma Elaine who came to help us juggle everyone.

For all who supported us and prayed, we believe a key to the miraculous outcome.

For the incredible staff of Children's Hospital of Boston, nurses, doctors, child life specialists and volunteers I can not say enough good.  The longer we were in Boston the more humbled we were that we were able to get Jared truly the best care in the country and according to many quite possibly the best in the world.