The journey continues (Nov. 18)
(note: see the next post for pictures from Lucas’s triumphant return home)
It’s funny, way back when we first started talking about “the path home” we heard from a veteran NICU parent that it’s best not to mention the “h” word – it’s a jinx. A month after starting to think about bringing Lucas home from the hospital we realize how right she was. Just about everything that we could imagine blocking Lucas’s hospital escape came up, from insurance company battles to complications with home care, to someone having jury duty (don’t ask!)… but through it all Lucas remained solid, slowly continuing on his path to recovery. Today he finally got to come home.
We were actually pretty nervous this morning, despite spending a mellow night at the hospital rooming in with Lucas. We’ve been doing all of Lucas’s care lately but there are always nurses and doctors close by to provide advice and security if something goes wrong; meanwhile, Lucas still depends on a number of props to either assist with his breathing or monitor his vital signs, so loading up the stroller is pretty darn complicated. Right when we got it all done and started feeling confident the word came down that the discharge pages were still being filled out by the resident – argg! So we paced around for another 10 minutes before kicking the stroller into gear.
Then we were in the hospital garage with Lucas strapped into his car seat and for some unknown reason there was a major traffic jam… plus, Lucas’s vent started beeping. Oh shit. But we kept our calm and made it out of the garage and on to home in 20 minutes. The rest was kind of a blur until suddenly there we were, standing over him laying in his own crib for the first time. It brought tears to our eyes.
As the anxiety/euphoria begins to wear off from the return home we’re struck by a comment on a previous blog post, which is that we’ve been providing “home” for Lucas all along. 
Well it’s true that we were been able to create a special place for Lucas at the hospital – we virtually lived at Children’s over the past 3 months and got to do many of the things that new parents do with their baby – at the same time there’s no doubt that it’s very different to be in our comfortable basement apartment with the little guy. As much as we love the friends we made at Children’s, it will be nice not to have someone sweeping in to weigh Lucas’s every poop.
In the end, it’s really just the beginning of another stage in our journey together as a family. Being out of the hospital certainly doesn’t mean an end to dealing with Lucas’s health – you need only see our list of follow up appointments to know that there’s a long path ahead for Lucas. It does mean that we’ve collectively made huge strides forward: surviving, growing, flourishing, loving. We’re happy to have you home, Lucas Camilo!
Comments (21)
Lucia
November 20th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Happy homecoming you three, here’s to incredible love.
Lucia
Judi Beck
November 20th, 2009 at 2:00 am
HORRAY, HORRAY, HORRAY!! We are so happy for all of you! We don’t want to rush things….but now that Lucas is home, we’re already thinking about his first trip to Seattle. We hope it’s very soon. We can’t wait to meet him in person!
Judi, Tom, Carson and Jess
Meredith
November 19th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
this is excellent excellent excellent news! I look forward to hearing about lucas’ adventures at home. I imagine this will be a great place for the healing and growth ahead. Take care of yourselves mom and dad.
Claudia
November 19th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
FELICIDADES LUCAS!!!! We are so happy you are home now!!
Love,
Claudia, Geoffrey and Marcela
Jodie Clarke
November 19th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I’m crying tears of joy for the three of you as I read this. Congratulations on making it “home” even though I completely believe in the idea that wherever you three are is home. I wish you all the best in your adventures in the outside world!!!
P.S., my college roommate gave birth three months early to her son, Chase and while I am sure you have plenty of people who counsel and met tons of other NICU parents, she could be a resource (by phone, she lives in Portland) anytime. Chase has some issues but is livin’ life and his parents are too. Anyways, just let me know if you’re ever in need of a “been there, done that eight months ago” ear.
Love to you all. GO LUCAS CAMILO!!! Jodie
Erin
November 19th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Congratulations, Lucas. Keep up the good baby work…eat, sleep, grow.
xoxox Erin
Mary and Rannie
November 19th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
hip hip hooray! hip hip hooray! hip hip hooray! All three of you are awesome! Home is sooooo much better than any hospital, no matter how wonderful the care is. Hope to see you all soon. Much love and hugs!
Carly
November 19th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Yahoo Lucas! I’m sure you are loving your new digs! Sending you (and your parents) lots of love.
xo,
Carly
Chris
November 19th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Welcome home Lucas Camilo. I’m so happy for all of you.
Besos,
Chris
alan
November 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Yay! All of you have worked so hard and should be really proud of where you are. Be patient with them Lucas!
Alexis
November 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Dorothy had a point – There’s no place like home!! Although it’s true, home is wherever the 3 of you are, Lucas’ little crib is so cute and inviting, I am sure he is loving it – what kid doesn’t dig his own space!
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he became a butterfly.
Sending you all much love.
Alexis
Allison (RN from Children's)
November 19th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
So happy Lucas finally made it home! Sounds like you guys had a great first day :) He’s a lucky little guy to have such devoted parents! Looking forward to reading about more of his progress and milestones!
Diane and Scott
November 19th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I am bouncing off the wall with happiness for you two and i know that your baby boy is as happy as you both are. He is going to get into the home life and grow, grow, grow. Welcome home to all of you!
Maxwell
November 19th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I’ll take deep breathes of mountain air for each of you.
Keep growing strong Lucas and in no time you’ll be as large in spirit as the Cascades.
anm
Allison
November 19th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Joy! So happy for you 3!
sheeva talebian
November 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am
WELCOME HOME LUCAS!!!
We continue to wish you all well and send lots of love from NYC!
xo sheeva, brook and ellie
Max
November 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Oh, it’s so nice to get to see you all hanging out in your cozy little place! If you’re taking visitors I’d be thrilled to drop by for a little bit — but no worries if you’re all still settling in.
Yers,
-Max
Chelsea
November 19th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear this!
Love,
Chelsea
Laura
November 19th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Congratulations Lucas, Krista, and Burke! So happy to hear you are together in your apartment at last. Lots of love!
laura
Sammie & Dan
November 19th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Welcome home home little man!
great aunt Kit
November 18th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
We couldn’t be happier for the three of you :)
We send our hugs and love!
Kit & J.D.
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