Sunday, February 27, 2011

Triple Post

OK, the next few days/weeks may be a little hairy for me, so I'm going to do a massive, three part post now. This way everything won't shifted get to the back burner forever like the post about Linus's third catheter procedure and subsequent NICU III stay. Oh, you didn't know about that? That's because I suck and that part of the story is still sitting half written with a date of Nov 11 on it. Nice documentation of major events on my part, eh?

Part One-February: Grey
Trina took these photos last week and I couldn't be more proud. I think she did an amazing job!





Part Two- Surgery Update:
Wednesday the surgeon's people called and said they doubted they'd be able to get him in by the end of the week, hoped they could get him in early the next week and were sure it would be by the end of the next week. This very clear and specific plan was very comforting... Juggling my work schedule, my mom's help and life in general with this vague news left a little to be desired. Then Thursday they called back and said they had a new plan. Sunday we were to call admissions and ask when they could have a bed ready for him on the cardiac floor. We would then go to the ER at that time and hopefully get taken up to his room immediately without having to mingle in the general population for long. They would do all his pre-op stuff upstairs and he would be taken in for surgery 7AM Monday morning. Apparently the CVICU is still full, but they are worried about his worsening symptoms. Yeah, me too... This morning we called in and they told us to have Linus in the ER at 2PM.

He had another rough night and slept through his 7AM feed and halfway through his 11AM feed. It's a good thing he has that tube or he'd never get any nutrition. This poor boy has very little energy these days. When he's awake, though, killer charisma. Then it was time. I bathed with him, dressed him in a cute little outfit and kissed him several more times than would be considered "normal" even for me. Trina drove off with him and I was left feeling empty and on the verge of panic. Luckily I have two more precious boys to distract me with their beautiful sparkly eyes and drooly fingers.

He was admitted without incident. They did all of his pre-op testing and sent an IV team with an ultrasound to place his line. They even used a bit of lidocaine before digging around to make it less traumatic on him. Much better than the last experience. He's on the schedule for 7AM tomorrow morning. Trina's spending the night in his room and I'll drive out after Simon & Dexter's 3AM feed. That way I'll miss morning traffic and to be able to spend a little more time with him before they take him away. My mom got in this afternoon and will watch the big boys while Trina and I are at the hospital with Linus. My dad drove in this evening and will be at the hospital with us for support. My stomach and my nerves are shot. I can't believe this is really happening this time...

Having his lunch on the playmat.
All clean and ready to go.


Part Three-5 Months...Almost

The boys will be 5 months old on Tues, but obviously, Linus will not be home for it. I went ahead and took this photo a few days early so he'd be in it. This is not at all the photo I was going for. I dressed them in cute little khakis and button down shirts with these white onsies as undershirts. They were adorable. Adorable and pissed. I only got one halfway decent shot between sobs. Dang. I gave up and stripped them down. Then they got happy. Dammit. Ah well, if I can get 2 out of the 3 of them looking remotely happy or in my general direction, we call that a good picture. :)

This month's "big thing" was the introduction of the jumperoo. All three of these boys are major fans. I'm constantly amazed at how well they took to them. They play with all of the toys. They push buttons, roll a barrel and can even put the teether-on-a-string in their mouth. We have 2 different brands and Simon loves one while Dexter prefers the other. Simon is a major jumper who goes both up and down and side to side. He gets crazy in there and laughs his butt off. Dexter likes the more stable option and can turn the seat around to look at all the different toys. He studies them all then moves to the next one. Even Linus likes to play in them. He's not as wild as Simon and not quite as attentive as Dex. We still have to put a pillow under his feet so he can reach as he's a bit shorter than his brothers. The other day Simon and Dexter were in the jumpers facing each other and started talking and laughing at each other. This morning Simon and Linus were on the same playmat and Simon was tickled pink to squeal and talk to Linus who steadily ignored him. It was kinda precious. It was so much fun to see them interact so well. They're only now acknowledging each other with any consistency. I sure hope they grow up to be best buds. :)

28 comments:

Shely said...

Many prayers going up for little Linus right now and tomorrow! Come on lil' buddy!!! You can do this! Waiting on the update...

Anonymous said...

We're thinking of you guys and sending lots of good juju in your direction...

Five Finchers said...

Will be thinking and praying for you and your family. I hope things go smoothly for you.

K J and the kids said...

Not to jump STRAIGHT into prayers and joy and scared and excited for the surgery.....but my prayers and thoughts are coming your way.
SO thinking about you guys and hoping that the doctors will be able to correct and help that little man Linus.

Damn those boys are cute. and how in the hell did they turn 5 months. That's IMPOSSIBLE. No really. that completely goes against the laws of physics and gravity and time. or at least one of them.

Sending hugs ! big ones.

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear they were more gentle with him in pre-op. Wishing your family all the best in the coming days.

These boys are seriously beautiful!

Lucy said...

Trina did a great job! The pics are beautiful. My cousin's newborn just had heart surgery and I instantly thought of you guys. As always, hoping all goes well :)

N said...

I love that they interact like that!

Keeping you guys and especially little Linus in my thoughts for the surgery. <3

laura w said...

Loving the pics and sending prayers as always......

Movie Gyrl said...

Sending up prayers and comforting hugs )))))))

sian said...

thinking thinking thinking of you all and praying every day. i know i don't comment much but i check in daily to see how things are going. you are all amazing!

Anonymous said...

I am a mom of a heart baby, and one that has a lot of acid reflux. He will be 2 in April and still is not even on the chart when it comes to weight and height. So you are doing really well. It is frustrating, but you are not alone when it comes to these frustrations. After my sons heart surgery when he was 5 months old. He stated to gain massive weight. It was a good thing. But also made him active, also good. We went from the NG tube to a G tube when was 6 months. He kept pulling the tube out. It was a good move. I wish though I would have done the Neausson surgery at the same time to prevent the projectile vomiting. I think we would have been further ahead then we are now with the feeding. I still struggle to get him to feed by mouth. The past month we did the Neausson surgery and guess what.. NO MORE VOMITING. We stoped gaining weight for the past year at it convinced the Docs it was time. I am not sure where you are at or what Docs you see. My son goes to Riley in Indianapolis. They have some awesome doctors. I also have my son involved in 1st steps to help him catch up on his milestones. Since he slept mostly the first 5 months of his life. He was behind. Luckily Linus has 2 sweet brothers to help him. Good luck and I will pray for you. I know how hard it can be. I've been there.

Nicole said...

What an amazing family you have. I'm just in awe of all of you. Sending lots of love and strength to all of you, especially little Linus. He's such an amazing boy.

Franci said...

What gorgeous boys! I'm saying lots of prayers for little Linus.

anofferingoflove said...

love the gray pics, beautiful boys you have!!

i am thinking of sweet linus this morning.

CJ said...

Those photos are priceless!! LOVE them! Thinking of you and Mr. Linus!

jade said...

Dear Robbie, you are just as amazing a mother as Trina (whom you very rightly judge as brave and brilliant) - I wish you both as well as Linus lots of strength for the coming days - I really hope we'll read about how well it all went soonish. That is to say whenever you are ready for it! Kindest regards and a hug for all five of you

Amy said...

Just found you through KJ's blog (Role Playing). Sat at my computer for way too long ignoring my own children reading about you and Trina's journey. Holy shit you all have dealt with a lot. What I admire most is the strength you both have for dealing with it all. I am in awe. I will be thinking of you, Trina, the big boys and especially Linus today and those to follow. We are pulling hard for that little man of yours. But he, like his moms, is strong!

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all and hoping the surgery goes well for Linus. They are all gorgeous boys but there is something about the spirit that you see in his grin that makes me believe he is going to beat this. Kia kaha e hoa (stay strong my friend).

Kels said...

Best of luck to your littlest and good wishes of strength to his amazing parents.

allie :^) said...

seriously just love these boys!!! i have 3 boys of my own, but yours are still little and cute. ha ha! hoping for the best for linus tomorrow! :)

Pomegranate said...

1. The gray pictures are so beautiful. I love that you're revolving the colors around your sweet boys.

2. Thinking of Linus, hoping the surgery went well and that some of your burden is lifted.

Lex said...

Thinking about you and hoping Linus's surgery went well. So great to see all 3 boys smiling - you have beautiful sons.

Anonymous said...

the adorablest boys and you get three of those smiling faces! sending good thoughts to all of you, and especially to linus -- what a trouper. hope everything went well...

OutspokenLady said...

I'm Trina's cousin, and I just wanted to let everyone know Linus's surgery went well! They were able to repair both the mirtal and aortic valve (I'm hope I'm getting that right). He's having some blood pressure issues, but I would say he's doing very well. Trina and Robby are doing fantastic!

It might be a few days before any updates come from them. I'll ask them if they want me to keep posting updates here on the comment section.

Thank you guys for the support! His surgery went well because of it.

binary ink said...

love how linus and simon's head cock one way and dexter's the other way in most of your pics....is ti like that most of the time?

Unknown said...

Thank you outspokenlady for the update. Good vibes to Linus and family!

AussieJenn said...

What gorgeous smiles your three sons have. Makes me smile back! Such handsome babies.

So glad to read that Linus's surgery went well. I hope recovery is also going smoothly and that it won't be long before he is home with his brothers and his moms.

OutspokenLady said...

From Robby:
"Linus's wonky blood pressure issues have resolved. They removed the probe from his heart, started weaning him off several meds & extubated him. True to form, he developed another complication. His sodium was 2 points away from "seizure inducing levels." They will slowly lower this over the next 24hrs. He also received his 4th blood transfusion for the week. Over all, he's doing pretty well. :)"