I was thinking that a blog update was long overdue. I started rummaging through photos and put together a bunch of videos (which YouTube keeps bouncing back with an error...THANKS!) when I found an old photo of Jack. Apparently this is the first photo in my current iPhoto library. I have accidently scrolled through new photos and back to that first photo a ton of times. Tonight I stopped because Jack was with me and said "Baby!" That's when I noticed the caption and date. I can't believe that was him just 2 years ago. It hardly seems like the same kid. Just last Thursday we attended the Johns Hopkins Annual ECMO Holiday Reunion Party. We got to see Wyatt and his family. Wyatt looks so great and is growing so fast. Their surgeon made a special trip just to see them and we got a picture of them together. Part of me thinks he must be so proud to be with those 2 boys. I know we sure are! Click HERE to see pictures from Wyatt's blog.
At the end of the party a couple walked in without a child. The docs and nurses brought them over to the table with our family and Wyatt's family. Apparently they had a CDH baby about 5 months ago. I think they said his name was Antonio. He was also on ECMO and seemed to follow Wyatt's road to recovery. Their baby was due to be discharged the next day. I think they were absolutely in shock to see Jack running around (literally - the boy was on a massive sugar high from brownies and juice) and Wyatt talking up a storm and socializing. They kept saying that they couldn't believe our boys were once at the same point as their son. It made me so happy to think that Jack and Wyatt gave them hope. Getting over the NICU stay is a first huge hurdle but the months to come are also so hard and frequently no one warns you about all the eating issues, potential reherniations, and every other thing that comes with the territory. I would've given anything to see a kid like Jack or Wyatt at their point. It also reminds me of how far they've come. It also amazes me that even as our boys grow, the docs, nurses and RTs all recognize them and are so excited to see them. I used to say that Hopkins was a special place and they care about patients. I think that now I realize that it's like a family or best friend - you might not see each other for a while but when you get together it's like not a day has passed and you're just happy to enjoy each others' company (thankfully under happy circumstances).
Well, not much else is new. Both kids are doing great. Jack loves to draw and he draws new pictures every day with me. Anika is growing so fast and we can hardly keep up with her eating. She's a chow hound and has the fattest little thighs! Both kids really adore each other. Anika can be upset and the minute Jack comes over she shuts it off like a switch. Jack is so tender with her and will spontaneously cross the room just to hold her hand and give her a kiss. The other day he grabbed his foot and said "BIG Toe!" then touched Anika's and said "LITTLE toe!" So cute!!
So, I'll try to attach some photos here and I hope to get the YouTube video loaded soon.
Vic
4 comments:
So glad you were there to give that family a sense of hope. I know that Jack is one of the main reasons my hope and faith stayed with me after losing Luke. He's my little miracle man! Thanks for sharing your little guy and his amazing story.
I love the new pictures too! Miss Anika is adorable and Jack is one handsome dude!
I can't believe that pic was just two years ago. Jack has grown so much and come so far! I love the bathtime pics, especially the expression on Anika's face looking at her big brother.
Wonderful pics! The story about Jack and Wyatt giving hope to the family at the ECMO reunion really brought tears to my eyes. I know what you mean about how much hope that would give you at that particular point in the journey. There's so much to overcome, but so much hope that it can be done!
the pictures make me tear up- jack is one kick-ass kid.
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