More Prep

The day before Nicholas's discharge date we walked into his room to find an IV in his head. My heart stopped. Why was there an IV in his head? I was sure that his discharge date had been pushed back and also a little upset that something had happened to him and nobody had called us.

We had one of our two favorite nurses on that day but apparently she was at lunch when we walked in. Our other favorite nurse ran in to explain that he was slightly anemic and that the neonatologist had ordered a blood transfusion in order to keep his discharge date and to keep us from running into any problems. The order for the blood had been put in and as soon as our nurse returned from lunch he would get his transfusion. I was so relieved that his discharge date was still a go and that nothing was seriously wrong. 

Our nurse returned, the blood transfusion started, and the nurse and I got busy filling out the list of things she was supposed to teach us before we were discharged. I had to prove I could put his Mic-key extension tube into the button to feed him. Then I had to prove I could remove it when he was done. I had to prove I could change his diaper. That I knew how to administer medication via his g-tube. That I knew what vitamins to give him. That I knew how to clear his nose and throat using the bulb. That I was comfortable moving him. That I knew the signs of illness and what to do if I detected them. 

As we began to wrap up for the night, I kissed Nicholas goodbye and hoped against hope that tonight would be the last night I went home without him.