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