Lemme repeat that...
$1,463,853.25
That's what's been billed to our insurance company so far for Connor's 120-day stay in the NICU. The amount the insurance will actually pay to the hospital, doctors, etc, is much less, natch. But the $1.46 million dollar figure is why we feel immensely grateful for insurance... and for the company which employs Brian that provides us with such an amazing healthcare plan. I think if we actually owed the amount on those bills I would die. My head is still spinning by the total so far... I cannot even imagine what we would do!
It's been 3 blissful, sleepless weeks...
and we've been loving every minute!
and we've been loving every minute!
Brian got to stay home with us for the first week, while we tried to wrap our heads around the complicated aspects of Connor's care - namely the 8 different medications he's currently on. Medications to help correct his OOP and his liver issues - all due to having been on IV nutrition too long, plus medications for his gastric reflux and his urinary reflux.
Even though his care is complicated, Connor is so worth all of the hard work and sleepless nights!
We live in a pretty quiet neighborhood, where everyone hibernates inside from November until April (Chicago winters). We suspected that most of our neighbors had no idea we were pregnant, much less that Connor had been born in December.

See our happy announcement balloons blowing in the wind on April 15th... they lasted on the mailbox maybe 15 minutes. In fact, I only ever got to see them in pictures... (sniff.) But, at least one of our neighbors spotted them before they drifted far, far away. :)
When Connor left the hospital, he was 8 lbs, 6 oz.
Happy to report he's now 9 lbs, 9 oz (as of his last pediatrician visit on April 30th).
Moderate and healthy growth that we can be proud of... because we don't want to go messing with his formula any time soon!
Connor was a ROCK STAR for his hellish day of appointments, one week after he came home. I think both Brian and I were on the verge of tears, just dreading what was to come, before we walked out the door at 6am that morning. All of the activity did not even phase our boy. He slept the whole hour car ride, even though he was already past his feeding time, and didn't even fuss through either of his radiology appointments, before we were finally able to give him a bottle about 6 hours later. In fact, he saved any and all fussing until we were safely back home later that afternoon!
So far, so good... in general, Connor is not a very fussy boy...

Well, at least not fussy for very long... :)
Connor is a squeaker... always making noises... until he's dead asleep. Hence, Connor moved into his own room within the first 2 weeks of coming home!
He still has his days and nights confused a little bit, but slowly we're creeping toward consistent 4-hour stretches of sleep during the night. I keep telling myself that it's not going to get any harder than this... it can only get easier, right?!
He's had lots of bloodwork (levels still off - alk phos super high, calcium elevated, billirubin way up; but his sodium is finally a respectable 140!), a renal ultrasound (totally normal), a hip ultrasound (also normal), and a VCUG (he does have urinary reflux after all, probably a grade 2 of 5... he should grow out of it just fine) - all since leaving the hospital. We've even made 2 visits back to the NICU to say hi to some of his favorite friends.
Speaking of favorite friends...

Oh, how we miss all of our NICU friends!
Grandma Rogers came to visit... what a relief! Just the help Brian and I needed, just in time! She was a welcome pair of hands that even helped out with some of Connor's nighttime feedings. We're so happy she was more than willing to come... again!... after spending two months with us during the worst winter Chicago's seen in a long time. I was able to get some organizational and creative projects done with her here... such a blessing, because they'd still be sitting in my to-do pile, otherwise. We were all sad to see her go, especially Connor, but we look forward to spending part of next winter in sunny Arizona.

Yes, he does have one! Last sighted on May 1, 2009.

(This qualified him for his 2nd bath in 30 minutes.) - April 25, 2009
The first 4 seconds of every bath look like this...
But, oh so quickly, bath time looks like this...
And this...
And ends like this...
Hooray! He loves it!

So, we stay super busy shuttling Connor back and forth to all of his appointments. He's been doing so well, that he graduated from his weekly pediatrician well-checks a week ahead of schedule, and now we only have to go bi-weekly. We still crave and cherish the days that all 3 of us get to stay home all day in our pajamas.
Sometimes I still can't believe he's finally home, and I'm so happy to say he truly is thriving!
Reinforcements have arrived! Today, Grandma Sprik and Uncle Jason joined us for a couple days and Grandpa Sprik will come in over the weekend. Just in time!
Extra hands in the house are the only reason why I was able to finally finish up this post (and all of its randomness)... whew!
I hope it only gets easier to blog a little more often.
If you've made it this far, thanks for caring enough to read it all. :)
10 comments:
That number is STAGGERING!! Cha-CHING!!! He is so so so handsome and his coloring is looking so much better! He is such a handsome, deliciously cute little boy! I love that he is the same size as Crew! What are the odds??? And I am SOOoooo jealous of your swing. You have a WONDERFULLY LARGE one. We have one, and Crew loves it, but I couldn't believe how big and comfy yours looked!
My jaw literally dropped open!
But he is one cute baby! Totally worth it!
holy crap. aren't you so thankful for insurance? i can't believe it!
i love all of those pictures - especially with your little comment on them. adorable! i wanna nibble on his cheeks/neck.
WOW, WOW...So glad to hear Connor is home. We can't wait to meet him!!
Rene
thank you for the great update!!!!
Oh happy day! Thanks for the update-- I've been desperate to see pics (I especially love the bath time ones!)... so glad to hear things are going well. How wonderful that you finally have him home! Big hugs.
ACK!! That's a big number! I'm still awaiting our big bill. As of February 16th (our discharge date from Primary) we are at 400,000. But your number is HUGE!
I love the .25 at the end of the number. I'll pitch in the quarter if you need me to. I love Connor's chubby cheeks!
Wowsa! My mouth actually dropped open!
That is crazy!
He looks like he is going fab!
and totally worth every penny!
What cute, cute pictures! He is adorable and growing up so fast...I love it for you!
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