Friday, March 09, 2007

Lincoln is out of the hospital!!

Hey everybody! Just thought you would want to know that Lincoln has been discharged from the hospital! This last week has been soooooo busy as you might have guessed from the lack of updates. Lincoln was scheduled to be discharged last Monday but the cardiologist wanted to do a biopsy of Lincoln's heart to check for rejection. On Wednesday, Lincoln went to the cardiac cath lab and underwent a catheterization to obtain a biopsy of his heart. Yesterday we got the news that rejection was negative so far and that they wanted us out of the hospital ASAP! After a long day of signing paperwork, learning about the medication we would be giving, packing up, saying goodbye to friends we have made and moving to our new temporary home....we finally made it out the doors! Lincoln has not breathed outside air or seen trees and bugs for almost 6 months! The experience and the emotions were indescribable! So because of the non updates over the last week...let me recap. Obviously, since we are out of the hospital, the chylothorax has been healing, the chest tubes came out last Friday, he is at full feeds and eating about half of them by mouth, his chest is healing great, he is not hooked up to anymore monitors or IV's and he is growing by leaps and bounds! We have moved to a hotel across the street called the Tiverton House. This hotel will be our new home for the next few months. We will be in and out of the Dr's office every week for check-ups, echos, lab work and the occasional angiograms and biopsies. Rejection is at its highest potential during the first few months, so staying close to the hospital is a must! It's kinda cramped in our hotel room considering we have to live there but also take care of Lincoln's every need 24/7. He is continually getting medications that we have to be on top of. We continually have to keep cleanliness and sterilization at the forefront of our minds. He cannot be around crowds of people for a few months at the risk of getting a cold which could lead to rejection. Please be praying for us as we endeavor on the monumental task and privilege of taking care of Lincoln. We are so tired! Between getting up every three hours to feed and give meds, make his food, clean, wash clothes....keeping up and just trying to find time to eat, sleep or take care of our business is difficult....BUT WORTH IT! We are so excited to be out of the hospital! We can actually take walks outside and see and do things we have not done in a long while! We cannot express our overwhelming love and thanks for you all through our journey thus far...God is Great and greatly to be praised! Please continue to be steadfast in bringing Lincoln before the Throne...he still has a long way to go! Downloading pictures has been difficult in the last 2 weeks....we owe you lots and lots....they are coming! You will just have to stay tuned! We love you all! J&K

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Josh, Kristin, and Lincoln,

Trees are great but bugs are the best...just wait until he starts crawling around as a toddler and kindly eats them. Fun days ahead! God has been so gracious to you guys...PTL! I am thrilled for you all and look forward to hearing the little details like "tree and bug" reports. I must say Josh that it's handy being "family" as your mom keeps us updated as we need our "Lincoln fix". I wonder if Lincoln will pester Ellie like you used to pester me as a kid? I'm so glad you've grown up...hee hee! You are truly a man now and I am so proud of the way you are taking care of your family!
I love you all so much and look forward to making memories with both our families when you get back to Fresno!
Praying Continually,
Danielle (For Mike, Ethan & Ellie)

Wyndi said...

congrats!!!!!!!! What a wonderful post! We are so happy for you!! What a strong little guy!! (and wonderfully strong and loving parents!! wyndi and Izzy

Anonymous said...

Hi Josh, Kristen, and our Lincoln!

We have been waiting for this day for a long time and it has finally arrived. What a blessed day! Do we have an Awesome, Wonderful, Holy, Loving, Gracious, Giving, Compassionate God or what!!!!!!! The list goes on and on!

Our hearts rejoice with you as you start your life together "on the outside". Even though your room is small, how wonderful it must be to be all together!.

Give our love to Lincoln with a big hug and kiss! Can't wait to see him running around exploring his new world.

We will continue to pray!!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Lots of love,
Linda and George

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD!!!!
We are sooo excited for you all. We continue to uphold Lincoln and the two of you in prayer. I know that God has used your testimony in the hospital and will continue to use you in the days and months ahead as you look into His loving eyes for your strength and endurance. Blessings to you all!
Roger & Jocie :)

Anonymous said...

Our GOD is soooooo GREAT. Good things do indeed come in small packages. Yes, Lincoln I am talking about you.

Will continue to pray for your family as well as the donor family who gave the greatest gift.

Mary Duncan
Santa Rosa

Anonymous said...

Hi Josh and Kristen,

I am thrilled that you are able to be out of the hospital with Lincoln and begin to be a family once again with just him and watching him grow in the Lord. What a miracle journey this has been for all of you and I am overjoyed with this news! It brings tears to my eyes when I realize all you have endured and how God has taken you step by step in the process. What an amazing God!

I know you are going to enjoy watching Lincoln develop in ways as never before. His first feel of the grass, seeing birds, doggies, kitties, etc. He will get to experience all of God's creation and you will get to enjoy it with him.

I pray you will be strengthened for the new responsibilities and that all of you remain free from any infections. I know God will take care of all of you.

Blessings to each of you and lots of hugs and love. I look forward to the day I can visit with each of you.

Love ya much,

aunt donna :-) Eph. 3;20

Anonymous said...

We are so happy for all of you! Good job Lincoln! We will pray that he continues to thrive.

Best wishes,
Marcela, Owen and Nathan

Anonymous said...

Got the updates yesterday from Papa York. So glad to hear that you are away from the hospital, and I can only imagine how taxing the new challenge of being in a small room and keeping up on all the routine can be....well you can COUNT on us for prayer!! We are SO thrilled that his heart is helping him be a normal baby. There is so much to look forward to and we are blessed to be a part of your lives.

We love you all
Amber Ferry and family

Stephanie said...

What a blessing - God is so good and is a God Thank you for your continued updates and allowing us to be a part of the journey! We are giving God glory and praise!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Fantastic! We are all so excited for you. Our prayers are with you and we are so glad that you all get to have more fresh air! Enjoy your freedom (as limited as it may be.)
Love,
ESA/Love INC clan

Anonymous said...

What great news....I know you all have been so busy, so I have not called. When and if you get some "free" time, call us. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers daily. We can't wait to see Lincoln again and hopefully it will be soon.
The Taylor's

Terri@SteelMagnolia said...

Hey guys... we've been out of town for a few days... great to see the wonderful news....
yippity skippity!!

Hey.. we sooo remember how overwhelming it is to first come home from hospital...
Matthew was on 13 different meds (all different doses and times of day... oyeee) and breathing treatments... it was tough and we were scared to death....

Call us when you have a second... Mike came up w/ a great idea which really helped us w/ that!!

I have a pretty good idea what you're going thru ... we were pediatric nurses and we never slept... we were exhausted beyond words.... then all the doctor appointment....

We'd love to try to help....

Anonymous said...

Hey, Happy 9 month Birthday, you big boy!!! Our family continues to pray for you, Lincoln, that you'll stay healthy and free of those bad germs, also that your tummy lets you keep those meds down. We're also praying for you Mommy and Daddy, that they'd get the rest they need, have incredible wisdom to take care of you and get time once in a while for each other. We love you, Lincoln, and can't wait to see you.

Michelle & David

Anonymous said...

God is great!!! I am sooo excited to read the wonderful news. Lincoln is always in my prayers and will continue to be. I hope that you guys can enjoy your time away from the hospital. Isn't it wonderful how simple things are so special now? What a blessing that Lincoln has given you guys. He's a special guy and you guys are special parents. Much love from Visalia, CA
Johnnie, Carlie, Zachariah, Makenna and Caton McCorvey

Anonymous said...

Josh, Kristen, and Lincoln,

- So excited to see the latest entry! We will continue to pray and check for answers.

Thinking of you,
Becky (Iles) Foxworthy

Auntie Kim said...

Wow... I'm speechless; I'm amazed; I'm so incredibly happy; I'm grateful to God. I'm hugging all of you with my thoughts and prayers.

Kim
Matthew's aunt

foreversarahsmile said...

Congratulations. We are all so thankful and happy. He will be up and running in no time. I hope you still remember us. We are in the area often for therapy and appointments, we should get together. YAY!

Mike, Moira & Sarah

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news! God is so good. We will continue to pray that Lincoln gains strength as he grows everyday. I hope you will feel comfortable in your new "home" for the next few months. Sounds cramped but just keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel and be thankful that it's only temporary.

Lots of love,
Melissa (& Randy too)

Anonymous said...

Praise God!!!

What a journey have have been through and are still on. You have continually been in our prayers. We are so excited that Lincoln is doing good.

with love

Matt & Bevelry Ford

Terri@SteelMagnolia said...

Just checking in!

Anonymous said...

Praise God! We are so happy to hear that Lincoln is out of the hospital! Even if you are staying at the Tiverton at least Lincoln is out. What a beautiful spring. We are praying and will be checking in regularly.

Love,
Rich, Lisa, Ethan and Ryan Mondoux