I wanted to post this yesterday, but some crazy superstitious nervous energy wouldn't let me. ;)
Today is November 7, 2008. This marks 366 days since Trouble's last admit to the children's hospital. Granted, it is not quite a full year since he was in the hospital for 6 days - but we have not been admitted to the hospital since November 6, 2007!
For most of you with big ol' healthy kids, it is probably hard to imagine that you would celebrate such a silly thing. But to us - this is HUGE! Trouble has spent a week or more in the hospital every year since he was born. And it seems each hospital stay gets shorter and shorter. This year the days in the hospital are exactly 0. (We don't count weekly therapy and "maintenance visits" - we're just talking being admitted and having to stay over night.)
So, celebrate with Trouble today! And let's pray that those days of big, scary hospital beds, strangers who poke him, and unfamiliar places is a thing of the past.
Prematurity is not something that you get over just because the NICU sends you home. It has taken Trouble over 5 years to stay out of the hospital. He has a long way to go, but each year gets better and better!
And in PAM news, I am so excited to announce that LWM3B will have its very first guest blogger! I don't want to give away any surprises, but we have one of the nation's biggest advocates for preemies coming soon to LWM3B. My comments will be open for Q&As you may have about prematurity, PAM and what YOU can do to make a difference.
Here is a LWM3B rewind. This is the video of last year's hospital stay. Pay attention to the lyrics. ;)
Please snag my Prematurity Awareness Month button for your blog and YOU can help spread awareness.
37 comments:
I put the button my my sidebar!
Yeah for Trouble! That is a huge deal.
I don't think I mentioned this before, but my niece was born premature. She's seven now and still struggles in some areas. It's definitely been an uphill battle.
And one of my closest friends gave birth prematurely last year. The little guy is still on oxygen and will be for some time.
I meant to type:
I put the button ON my sidebar!
NOT
I put the button my my sidebar!
Oops!
Hi there.
I have 7 children (2 birth, 1 "foster", 2 "foster" that I am about to adopt, and 2 who have gone home to family). 3 of them have had prematurity and all but one (of the 5 in foster care) were born with drug addiction.
My som whom I am about to adopt in January is 11 months old. He has 2 chromosome disorders and one causes immunodeficiency. He's had open heart surgery and will need 1-2 more. He was hospitalized last in May PRAISE GOD. Now that it is "sick season" again I have our hospital bag packed. =0)
I will never take for granted again the health of a child. Thank you for posting about this.
I am so thankful "Trouble" has had 366 days at home. What a blessing!
I was so touched by the video-so moving. If I can figure out the button, I'll post it on my blog, however, I am computer retarded...
Praise God! What a huge reason to celebrate.
Sweet, sweet video. He has grown so much!
So totally rejoicing with you all!!! Here's hoping and praying for another hospital-overnight free year!!
Yeah! This calls for celebration. I've never met you but through your blog I feel I know you and your family. I had tears in my eyes watching the video of Trouble. Seeing him at the end so healthy, happy and so much stronger. What a blessing!
Thank you for sharing.
Celebrating with you! It's huge.
It's been over five years since an admission for our son and just over a year since his last doctor's office visit.
No antibiotics, no prednisone, no q 2 hour nebs for over a year. We're still on maintenance stuff but I understand the significance of each milestone.
Continue to celebrate each milestone and know we can't wait until the "2 years hospital free" post.
{{{big hug}}} to Mommy
and a high five to Trouble
That is AWESOME! Congratulations Trouble!!!!
I loved the slideshow! You know the funny thing is I konw that song well, but I had never paid attention to the lyrics before! They have taken on a whole new meaning!!
What an awesome milestone!!! The video was so touching! You are such a great mommy.
Darcy - thank you so much for sharing that. I will never hear that song the same way again. My boys just love Trouble - I can't wait to show them that slideshow. I'm ashamed when I think of how I take the little things for granted - thank you for opening my eyes yet again.
I snagged your PAM button for my blog, thanks! I'm super excited about your mystery guest blogger. ;)
Yay Trouble!! We're excited with you for this milestone - definitely worth celebrating!
We haven't dealt with prematurity, but we definitely understand time spent in the hospital. In the past 2 years we've had more than our fair share of admissions! ;)
But God is good and we look forward to the day we are celebrating the same milestone you are! :)
What a great milestone! WooHoo!!! I hope you all celebrated.
I'm so happy for you Trouble! What a great milestone and also a testament to your family. Darcy you are a wonderful mother to such a special little guy.
LOVED the video!
I id a post about it yesterday. Mu kids were premature. FIRST TWO years sucked, but it gets easier and easier. Mine are now 9 and 12 and doing just fine. Happy hospital free prayers your way!
Yay for this big milestone!!! How on earth did he get giardia?! We've dealt with that ourselves.
I can really see the difference in the pictures in a week's time and the words are PERFECT.
I will grab that button!!! So wonderful you have had a year. My daughter has had some health issues...the doctor told us it would be wonderful to get to the 6 month period...that was Oct 24th...we are pass it..yeah!!!
-sandy toe
Darcy, he is so precious! It's so hard to see little kids in hospital beds. Kills me. I want to heal them all.
I'm so glad he's getting better and spending less time in the hospital each year. Your love and care of him has to be making a huge difference.
Yay, Trouble!!! We're all cheering for you and your sweet Mommy. Darcy, God bless you...both.
Congratulations Trouble! There is no place like home sweet home.
Poor little thing-- I can only imagine how hard it was for you. Tank was born at 35 weeks (although he tried to come at 27 wks) and we have battled sickness (mostly breathing issues) since Day 1. While we haven't had many hospital stays, I am thankful that this past year was one of his healthiest as far as not coming close to having to go to the hospital. I think it has helped that I've finally- after 7 years!- learned to recognize symptoms and things at the very first inklings of trouble.
Praying that the days of his hospital stays are a thing of the past!
Love,
Marsha
congrats, congrats, congrats!!!!
Wishing for many more hospital free years!
You go, Trouble!!! :) What a great milestone! We'll be praying for no more strange beds & pokey people.
Congratulations Trouble!! May your health continue to improve and you live long and prosper!
Yeah Trouble.... congrats on being well for so long! Praise the Lord. That video made me cry and smile that he is okay!!!!
Congratulations! What a huge blessing!
Congratulations! I'm so glad you've had a good year. Here's to many more. :)
Blessings on Trouble! What a special video of your journey and I love that song with the pictures. Thanking God with you!
Blessings on Trouble! What a special video of your journey and I love that song with the pictures. Thanking God with you!
What a beautiful boy he is! So smiley even in the midst of such struggle. I have only dealt with 2 hosptial stays with my kiddos and each one was torture. The issues that come with having Trouble early are not something that anyone would ask for...but I know God gave him the right mom (&dad) for the task. You are all so strong and I thank you for educating and encouraging others! So glad that he is getting stronger and healthier each year!
Andrea
My has he grown! God is soooo good!
I couldn't watch that video without "water getting in my eye" as my girls would say when they don't really want to admit they are crying.
What a precious boy!
God must have big plans for that little one.
Keep on thriving, dear one.
And, YOU, Darcy, keep on rocking!
Oh yeah! Tomorrow I celebrate post 100 and you are a BIG part of getting me on my feet. Pop over and see what gems I'm giving away... I'd love it if you won!!!
Thanks Darcy for sharing your sweet Trouble with us and for making us more aware of the seriousness of preemies. I'm So thankful for healthy kids and I'll pray for all those who haven't been so lucky. Trouble staying out of the hospital is definitely worth celebrating!
Hello :)My name is Jeanette. I was visiting a few others sites you are a part of (BATW & your graphically design one) and jumped over here to check out your actual blog. It is fantastic. Well honestly all of them are pretty amazing. This one touched my heart though. As I am unable to have children at this point I love reading and seeing the absolute joys and loves of mothers for their children. Your love pours out into everything and I am touched by the way you share their stories, adventures, and misadventures. :) Their code names are fantastic as well. :) Trouble's journey brought me to tears... both heartbreak for what it must be like as both the parents and the children .. then to joy because it is a HUGE CELEBRATION for where he is today. :) There is nothing light about celebrating the life of your treasures. :) I can see that you are and AMAZING mother, teacher, wife,and most certainly every other relationship you have. :) Your creativity is Fanstastic gifting as well. :) Thank you for sharing your gifts and journey with the rest of us while enjoying the 4 precious gifts (husband and 3 boybarians.) :)
Have a tremendous Tuesday. :)
Darcy,
Thank you for sharing this awesome video. I cried tears of joy and sadness both. One of my first blog posts was a video of Caleb in the NICU...it is good to go back and see it every now and again and remember how far we've come. I loved the lyrics that talked about doctors coming for other places and there being no explanation. Caleb had an enlarged liver and none of the docs could figure it out. After months of testing, etc., we were told it was a rare cancer, but after surgery, found that it was not cancerous. I just praise God for how far your family has come and for Trouble's successful year. But mostly I listened to that song, and as someone said in a comment, I heard it in a very different way, and I felt that I could see inside your heart. Some days have been so difficult with Caleb, even though he is really quite well overall now, but the whole experience changes you as a mother, as a person. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart. It is so good to know there are others out there who can relate to my feelings. I may have to start asking you questions regarding developmental issues...we do therapies through our Help Me Grow program, but I'm sure you have some great Mom/real life advice! Thanks again for sharing your story.
Jennie
My son was not premature (he was 41 weeks) but did spent 2 months in the NICU. He is almost 8 months, and we have not been back to Children’s (other than for ‘maintenance’) since Aug. 6th!! That feels great, I can’t imagine how great a whole year feels. Congrats!
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