Five Months Old, On Our Way to Surgery #2
Where we are today. . .
So it has been awhile since I have been able to write. Now with three children my time is spent "being mom", working full time, and really just trying to keep up! However, I wouldn't change any of it. As of Today - Harlan is Five months old! And what a journey we have had getting here. Harlan is a happy, smiley baby. I must say he is really an easy going baby. He loves his sisters, his daddy ALWAYS catches his eye, and he will never turn down a bottle. There are days that I completely forget about everything that Harlan has already gone through, as he really looks and acts like any other happy, healthy baby.
Where we were . . .
So last time I wrote I believe I was still in the hospital with Harlan. With Harlan's first surgery it was estimated that he would be in the hospital for about a month. My strong little man was home in 12 days. Everyday in the hospital Harlan progressed more and more, and everyday another tube, wire, or IV was removed. I only left his side for two nights out of those 12 days. Which was very hard for me, however I knew that my family at home needed my support as well. My husband did an amazing job with my daughters and without our family's support it could have been a much longer harder road. When we got home, Harlan had a week of doctor's visits - I was exhausted that first week home. After that we are part of a follow up program - so every week (still to this day) I have a nutritionist call on Mondays, a Nurse call on Fridays, regular doctor visits every month to two months for our shots and healthy checkups, and a monthly cardiologist appointment. When we first got home we had an at home nurse as well. She would come and take Harlan's blood pressure, she would over stay her welcome and talk too much. But I was thankful for the extra support. It was finally noticed that Harlan is really doing MUCH better than anyone expected and all the support was a little bit of over kill.
So it was a couple of weeks home and Harlan pulled his feeding tube out - from that point forward we have been taking a bottle and never looked back. Then before I knew it - it was time to return to work, I only took my six weeks off. People at work thought I was nuts, however it was time to go back. Harlan got to spend time with his Grandpa, again I can not stress how blessed I am with an amazing Family Support!
From there it was life as normal for any baby - we had our first Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's, we saw Santa for our first Christmas, our sisters showed us off at school, we eat, sleep, and poop. And I finally settled into life with three children.
Where we are headed . . .
So our last cardiologist appointment it was determined that we are ready for our second surgery. The best way to explain this surgery is that it will give Harlan a separation between oxygen and un-oxygenated blood from his head, neck, shoulders, and arms. This is done by creating a direct follow of blood to the lungs (which Harlan doesn't currently have). The doctor's say that he should be in the hospital for a week on this one (if all goes well). We will have the same surgeon, Dr. Ohye, from Mott's Children Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.
Personally, this second surgery is harder for me. I have gotten to know and learn all about this smiley baby and I really don't want him to have to be in any pain. But I understand that this is necessary and he recovered so well the last time that this should be a piece of cake. It's just the feeling of the unknown that kills me about this whole disease.
So, we are 24 days away from doing this all over again, we need all the thoughts and prayers that we can get. Harlan surgery will take place on April 22nd, 2015 and with everyone's continued support we will be back to "normal" in no time. I can not Thank Everyone enough, even the smallest gestures means the world to me and my family - so stay positive and keep praying!
Peace, Love, and Cupcakes,
Jillian Whalin
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