We Have a Discharge Date!!!

Days Until Discharge: 36 👍

Our predictive discharge date is Tuesday, March 19th and this mama is getting sooooo exciiiiiiited! Here are the main goals that need to be reached and things that need to happen before discharge:

➡️ Trach Training: Corey, myself and my mother-in-law have all done one trach change. Each of us have to do two more changes – as well as learn how to use the ambu-bag for emergency situations – before our training is complete. These trach changes are scheduled on the calendar and will happen over time as his discharge date draws closer. The three of us also have to complete a special CPR course designed for babies with tracheostomies.

➡️ Humivent: This device (HME – Heat & Mositure Exchanger) will allow Calvin to be more portable within our home and is needed for travelling. It “traps” the moisture his lungs produce and uses this moisture to keep his lungs from drying out. We will be trialing him on this for short periods of time with the end goal of at least 2hrs with the HME to give us time to travel to doctor’s appointments.

➡️ Carseat Trial: Calvin will be going in his carseat for short periods of time here and there to see how he handles the positioning and if physio will need to make any adjustments for his comfort in travelling. He will be hooked up to a monitor to see how he does with this and, again, our goal is at least 2hrs.

➡️ Stroller: We will be bringing in our stroller/carseat so Calvin can enjoy some walks around the paediatric floor. This will give Corey and I practicing opportunities to pack an emergency bag of the things Calvin could require for his trach anytime we are out of the house.

➡️ Tummy Time + Physio: He will be having more time on his belly to develop a different set of muscles. Because Calvin has been laying in a bed for the majority of his life, he has barely any muscle tone and all of this needs to be worked on. Physio is working with him at the hospital and will also be coming to our house once Calvin is discharged.

➡️ Bottling: I would love to begin some bottling with Calvin! He LOVES sucking on his soother and we want to begin this with him – slowly – so he can start developing this skill (if he is able). The occupational therapist, among some others, are concerned about aspiration from Calvin’s history which could then make him quite sick due to his chronic lung disease, but many others are willing to give it a try! Hopefully we can trial him with just a few milliliters starting tomorrow!

➡️ Overnight Stays: Corey and I will each have at least one overnight stay with Calvin before he is discharged so we are familiar with how a night would go. We should have nursing in our home for most nights, but we need to be prepared for the times that a nurse is unavailable or can’t make it at the last minute.

Please pray for this list and for our family! God has been good from before day one of this journey and He continues to be good to us!