Hospital Days (by Bree)

So we've managed to get through the first two days at the hospital - and I'm so glad that they're over! Not that they were bad, but the sheer number of new things that one needs to learn is just overwhelming. Couple that with moving into a space not much bigger than a dorm room (but with LOTS more stuff and a MUCH higher standard of cleanliness!), seeing your infant son scream and cry because he's hungry but not allowed to eat (prior to the surgical insertion of his central lines) or because he's being held down during a procedure (such as the removal of his PICC line this evening), and trying to find time to eat (but not in our room) and take care of yourself, and it all adds up to exhaustion. Fortunately we both slept fairly well last night, and I'm looking forward to a good night of sleep tonight.

I'd love to write in more detail, but for now suffice it to say that overall we're doing well, we're thankful for ALL of you who are praying for us, taking care of us by writing (I enjoyed the epistle I read today!), calling, bringing food, etc., and we are so grateful for a fantastic group of people caring for us in the hospital. The nurses, doctors, and other staff members here are really kind, thoughtful, caring, and compassionate. We spent almost 2 hours today with a wonderful nurse in the PACU (post anesthesia care unit, for the uninitiated) who shared some really encouraging personal stories about life as a child with a younger sibling who had health problems. It gives me hope that Jamison will grow up to be a more compassionate person because of what life will be like for us in the next year or two...though I'm pretty sure I won't have him help me do the heparin flush on Nathanael's central lines anytime soon! He can help in other ways. :)

Please keep the prayers coming. Please pray that we would be a blessing to others around us in the hospital. I've met two families who have been here as inpatients for more than six months and who have other children at home - what a challenge! I'm not sure what my role will be, as I don't have much time outside the room, but will want to connect with others here. I also love to hear from you, so thank you for the personal messages! I may not get a chance to write back to all of you, but wanted to still say thank you. Pray for strength, faith, courage to handle all the changes that will come, wisdom to understand all that is going on and to ask good questions, for rest for all of us, and for perseverance. This is a marathon, and we're just finishing the first mile.