Taking the Next Step

What a difference a week makes. Owen continued to progress and remain steady on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday morning after feeding Owen before I left for work, I said goodbye to the night nurse and asked if she would be back that night. She said she was off until later in the week. I told her thanks and said I would see here later, to which she replied "I don't think you will, you guys are getting transferred to the step down unit today."

It was an awesome way to start the day. Michelle was still sleeping and I couldn't wait for her to find out. She texted me later in complete excitement. This was a big step for Owen and for us and put us one step away from going home. We had just passed the 5 week mark of being at Children's and this was the first time that going home seemed like it was in the near future.

We moved from the B building to the A building at Children's and Michelle informed me that Owen loved going for the ride. They rolled Owen over in his bed to our new room. Besides being closer to home, there are some other perks of being in the step down unit. Our rooms are updated and have a shower, we have a tv from this decade, we are allowed to eat in the room, we have a little more privacy, and Owen is not monitored quite as intense as in the CICU.

Owen was still having his heart rate monitored closely to see if he slipped back into atrial tachycardia. If that were to happen, that would mean it would be back to the CICU for us. Since being over in the step down, Owen has had a couple run ins where is heart rate has been elevated, but it was all during a time when he was either crying, going to the bath room, or throwing up. The doctors reviewed all of the data from these incidents and it he was maintaining his rhythm all the way through. This was great to hear.

Owen seems more alert and more active everyday. He loves to talk to us, listen to music, and play with his toys.

Things continued to progress and on Saturday morning the doctor's informed us that the goal was for us to go home in the next week or two. We are trying not to get too excited, but we are so anxious for the day that we will be able to finally go home.

We also got a little more information on what life will be like between now and Owen's next surgery in a few months. The period between now and then is called the Interstage period. This is a critical period for Owen. The Glenn operation will provide Owen with a much more stable structure and circulation. Until the Glenn, it is imperative that Owen not get sick because it would be a very dangerous situation. Because of this, Owen will have to stay pretty isolated. We know a lot of people have expressed a desire to see and visit Owen, and we want so badly for all of his supporters to meet him, but unfortunately we won't be able to have visitors until after his Glenn when he is more stable.

We would again like to thank everyone that has continued to support us in so many different ways. Cheryl Wolfe, Julia Wallner, Sammy, Jamie, and Axel Ray, and Grandma Friesinger and Uncle Keith
 all sent very nice things to help us and  our little warrior on our journey. We appreciate all the support and prayers from everyone and they have definitely helped us all stay "Owen Strong".