A shout out to CHP and Ronald

My first day with Ramsey at Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh, (CHP) was good overall. Ramsey looks so sweet, calm and precious. The sedatives keep him pretty still, but he wiggled his little foot every now and then and I've heard he has opened his eyes quickly a few times! I was so relieved to finally see him again, and for him to hear my voice. I touched him a little but not quite as much as that first day. I've heard being touched sometimes upsets him, so I'll have to wait. I just want to scoop him right up and hold him, but that too will take time.

There was another scare around 4, but based on Dennis's warning, I somehow knew to stay calm and accept that it is just one of many temporary fears. It took some testing and an eventual blood transfusion, but everything turned out well. They don't do much at night, so we left him around 10:00 feeling he would have and uneventful night.

We are staying at the Ronald McDonald House. It's a wonderful little place that sleeps four, has a kitchenette, bathroom, sofa bed, TV, etc. There are public facilities for lounging, a playroom, and free laundry facilities. Next time you're at Micky D's, throw some extra in their donation holders; it's such a wonderful service they provide and it only costs 15/day for as long as we need it. For now, we will use it and maybe eventually we'll take turns heading back and forth to visit. But now, we need to be here, and I need to recover from the C-section. Luckily, Dennis chose to stay here tonight, instead of the baby's room where he spent the last two nights. Hope he feels well rested today. After feeling so overhwlemed today with all the information thrown at us, I give Dennis even more credit for how well he explained things to me when I couldn't be there the first two days. The staff at CHP is wonderful!!! Everything is explained multiple times by so many people...maybe eventually I'll understand what they are saying- lol.

One more thing, then I need to get back to bed myself!  I was approached and had the chance to discuss the events of Ramsey's arrival, including our disapointment with how our options were presented to us by one of their team members. I talked with the individual and hope I was able to properly explain myself, and  my reason for being upset. What matters most is that Ramsey is still fighting so I hope everyone involved can let go of the hurt and focus on the care he is given now. As one of the staff said, we are a team, Dennis and I included. I know as a team, we ALL hope for Ramsey's survival and I pray that we can move forward with a shared sense of determination, and most of all, an environment of positive energy and prayers for our little guy.

All in all, it was a good first day. I won't lie, it was all overhwhelming, and I still can't believe any of this is real. I had my moment to cry, pity myself and to feel outright pain because I had to wait for my prescriptions to be filled, long after I should have taken my pain killers. However, I feel much better now and I'm anxious to see what Sat. brings.

Rounds are at 8:00 am. I hope I can make it there to hear the plan for the day, but I intend to let Dennis sleep, and I can't walk that far yet by myself. I'm at his mercies in my wheelchair - lol. If we arrive after the rounds, the nurse will update us and I will try to let everyone know what's going on, even if it's a short update by phone.