Journal entry by Sherri MacLean —
Carson has joined the 7 lb club! He weighs 7 lbs 0.9 ounces. And--he is safely and happily home with his parents! He does need oxygen for the car seat and will be re-evaluated in a month to see if he can go without. But he is home, experiencing the outside world's sights and sounds after being in the NICU for 47 days. Monitors are removed, the beeps and dings of the hospital room are silenced. They played the graduation march as he left, and gave him a little graduation hat, diploma, and t-shirt. His mom and dad have been at the hospital for 53 days as they were there the week before he arrived, trying to keep Carson inside mommy for a little longer. They have been living at the hospital this entire time. While Carson was in the NICU they had a Ronald McDonald room on the 4th floor of the hospital--right above Carson's floor. They stayed close by Carson, while Mema Kathy and Grammy Sherri took turns staying with his fur brother Jack at their house.
Your prayers were all appreciated and felt! May you be blessed many times over for the love and support you have shared with Carson and his family during this journey. There were so many, many times that God answered prayers and sent angels and smiled upon them throughout this NICU journey. A couple examples---the Ronald room had to be cleaned and renewed every 14 days and each time they had the risk of losing it if someone else was on the waiting list. And each time--it worked out perfectly for them to stay. And despite Covid protocol Grammy Sherri was given the okay to stay with Maria and Carson during the times Tanner was working--saving up his days off for this time at home to adjust as a family of 3 (4 if you count their dog Jack!) There were several times when protocols changed but each time--Sherri was allowed in both the NICU and the Ronald room. Often a particular nurse or doctor or support staff showed up at just the right time. The pediatric doctor that was there for Carson when he was delivered--Dr. Culpepper--was there for his dismissal!
It is bittersweet to say goodbye. We have all made friends with the staff at the NICU. The housekeeper, the covid screeners who knew us by name!, the NICU door monitor, the nurses, the milk lab, the support staff, the Ronald floor staff, and the doctors have become our friends. They told Maria and Tanner to call the NICU anytime--day or night--if they have questions. But we are more than ready for this new adventure and exploration of wind on his face, birds chirping, and rocking in his rocking chair with mom and dad as Carson learns about and grows in the world about him! Maria said coming home today was more exciting than Christmas was as a child! :-) As far as Carson--he's just happy to be held and to sleep in peace!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1
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