Isaac got the all clear to come home on Wednesday July 10th! His last appointment with Dr. G was on the 9th when he got his last tube out. We've been home for little over a week and it feels great! Isaac has even begun cathing completely independently within that time.
We are so thankful for the journey we have been on. It hasn't been easy or pretty, but there has been growth and change in us all. And while I do not want to go through it again, I'm glad it happened. The independence and confidence that this surgery has provided Isaac has been clearly evident. The last four days there, it was Isaac, Micah and I, as everyone else came home on the 6th. Isaac talked non stop to everyone he saw, in the house, out in public, you name it. He met a few new friends that had this same surgery! (which when we left he cried because he was happy to be going home and sad to be leaving his new friends). He showed friends he met in the house who also had the same surgery his new belly button (stoma where he caths) and even shared how he caths. I could tell in that short week of cath training his confidence had grown. He knew this brought him independence.
This is a picture of Isaac's beads of courage that he received while in the hospital. Every bead represents every poke, surgery, tube, overnight stay, days without anything by mouth, ICU time, traveling far, etc. that he went through here. He even received one for brushing his teeth after a week of having nothing in his mouth. When I think back to the first couple days post surgery, it feels like eons ago. The pain and pokes and prods he went through is pretty incredible. I even heard from some nurses there that this is one of the most painful surgeries they see kids go through at the hospital. I can tell honestly is still recovering even and regaining the strength he lost during that time. Just pushing himself up the road is taxing on him.
We have witnessed the power of prayer and felt the immense love from our family, friends, community and even strangers. I will never stop being in awe of the amazing power of love and prayer during times like this. During the especially hard days, we knew we were being carried by the prayers of others. Time in the hospital is never fun, but often, it brings me back to baseline and reminds me of all the blessings in my life and the really important things.
As Isaac continues to heal, if you are looking for prayer requests, we ask for continued prayers of healing. We also ask for continued independence and confidence as Isaac moves towards school days and learning this new routine at school. We will go back to Baltimore in November for a check up and until then, he must cath every two hours (during the day). Isaac has not complained once, but two hours goes by very quickly. Dr. G explained that his bladder will grow to the size of a typical 8 year old during the 6 months post surgery, and we pray for perfect growth for his bladder as well.
We realize we are very lucky on this journey. We know a few other kiddos that have had this same surgery and had complications and even failed outcomes from it. We do not take any of this journey for granted and we would ask for prayers for our friends, that they will be led to a path of healing and a successful outcome.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for all the support.
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