A message from Great Aunt Michel

Congratulations to David, Dana and Henry!!!

We all know how hard it is for you to take Henry home and not to be able to show the little guy off.  And we definitely know how social both of you are.  So - don't feel like you are being harsh when you are asking for no visitors.  YOU ARE BEING HENRYS ADVOCATE and that is EXACTLY what your job as a parent is.  All of us that are parents definitely understand, and those that aren't know you are doing what is best for your son. 

We have no doubt at his young age, (if he could talk), he would want to see all of us.  Ha! However that wouldn't be at the best interest of his health, and as parents you have to guide his decisions.  

The GREAT AUNT and Infection Control Nurse in me are so proud of you both for doing what is so hard and keeping him "away from the bugs" as much as you can.  You cant prevent everything, but you are giving it 100%!  Your love and support have gotten him where he deserves to be - HOME!

Prayers will definitely continue, but if you need ANYTHING don't hesitate to call.

We love you lots and are soooooooo happy for the three of you to be home together.

Great Uncle Jim and Great Aunt Michel

Let's Hear it for the Boy!

In case you were needing something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend...just under the buzzer...Henry is HOME!  That's right...home!  Hooray!  We are so excited for David & Dana to finally have their son home, where he belongs. 

Now, we just need to make sure he stays there.  Unfortunately, there's not a lot that most of us are able to do to help out with that.  A lot of Henry's health depends on Henry & what's going on inside his body.  But, there is one thing all of us that love David, Dana, & Henry so much need to remember: right now, the best way to express our love, support, etc. is NOT necessarily through our physical presence.  Henry's immune system is very fragile and they just cannot take any risks of him being exposed to anything that could land him back in the hospital.  Especially with this being prime flu, cold, general sickness season, we all need to be aware that things that those of us with well developed immune systems are able to fight off...Henry can't.  Not only that, but having visitors, being passed around, etc. puts stress on his system in general and can throw him out of wack.  I know this may sound harsh, but please realize that this is all being said in the best interest of Henry's health. 

Just in case the tempation to "just stop by" tries to take ahold of you, here is what you'll find on the door:

Okay, so after that total downer, let's go back to the beginning.  Henry is HOME!  Hooray!  Hooray!  Praise! Praise!  Celebrate!  Celebrate! 

As always, all the prayers, support, and love you all have shown to David, Dana, and Henry are so appreciated.  While this is such a huge milestone & very worthy of excitement, please do keep them in your thoughts & prayers as there is still a long road ahead of them.

Thanksgiving

It sounds like there is news to be thankful for from CMH.  Henry has had several good days.  He's holding steady on his weight and the need for pain meds is continually decreasing.   It seems that lately David & Dana have been meeting with doctors and nurses that saw Henry at the beginning...his nurse that helped admit him to CMH, one of the doctors that followed him those first few days after surgery, etc. They all remark on how amazed they are with Henry's progress over these past few weeks.  I think we have all felt sure that he's a tough little guy, but it's good to hear how much he is proving that to the doctors too.  Keep it up, Henry!

And while you're at it, Henry, how about packing on a few holiday pounds?  Okay, okay, that's too much to ask!  But a few ounces, maybe? 

Another "Shopping with a Purpose" opportunity

Okay, here is another opportunity to help Henry, while also helping yourself...a win-win!  A friend of the family, Dana Thompson, has generously offered to donate 30% of all sales on all Mary Kay products ordered between now and Wednesday, December 8 to David & Dana to help with Henry's medical expenses!  Products can be ordered through: www.marykay.com/dana.thompson.  If you have questions, you can contact her directly at: dana.thompson@marykay.com.  I would also be happy to give you a phone number to contact her, but for privacy sake I didn't want to post that on the blog, so call or email me if you want that info.  Whether you happen to be a follower from close by or further away, all orders can be shipped for no additional charge! 


Also, I just got a message from Dana Hermon that Henry is having a very good day!  He had a few days of losing weight, gaining weight, losing, gaining, etc.  So, hopefully they are coming up with a plan for just gaining.  Will post more details when I know them. 

Have a good day!

A quick update

I apologize for the lack of posts from this week.  It's been a bit hectic and Henry has been holding steady, so there hasn't always been a lot to report each day.  He was gaining weight, and last I heard he is weighing in at 6 lbs, 11 oz...he's held steady there for a few days.  He is still getting some of his feedings through the feeding tube, but is doing great at drinking on his own too. 

He continues tolerate being cut back on the pain meds, only needing a dose about every 12-17 hours now.  That's a huge improvement from a week ago!  I believe that today should have been his last day on the hydrocortisone, but haven't heard for sure on that one. 

David & Dana got to give Henry a bath for the first time yesterday!  I really wish I could figure out how to get videos to upload, because they have some good ones of his bath...he liked it just fine! 

Other than that, I don't know of much else to update on.  Just wanted to get a quick post in before the weekend starts to let you all know that he is continuing to do well.

H - E - N - R - Y not a willy or a sam

Well the little guys is doing great so far today. He did have to have some more morphine last night around 10:00, but there has been a lot of gains. He has gained weight, he is now a 6 pound eleven ounce baby boy. He lost his picc line, meaning he has two little arms for hugs now. He is still taking a bottle every other time he feeds, but yesterday he had a huge meal for such a little guy. 60 somethings (I didn't pay very good attention to the measurement he is getting). Keep praying for the little guy. Let's pray him home!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers through this. I heard the other day at church that God has a plan for everything. Each and every event, every action, every turn we make and thing that happens in our lives happens for a reason. God has a plan for this little guy. I can't wait to find out what that plan is.

More good news

I got a text earlier today from Dana.  Sounds like Henry is continuing to show lots of improvement!  They are doing another set of tests today, and then plan to take the PICC line out!  The amount of milk per bottle has also been increased and he is doing great and gaining weight.  All such good news.  I believe that he is still being tapered off of the hydrocortisone and should have at least a few more days left of that.  Praise for all the progress he is making!