(Top: Chase enjoying time with Daddy. Next: Charissa with Mommy after a nice bath. Remaining: All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go. Celebrating their 100th Day Birthday on August 3)
August 25, 10:15 PM
Wow, time flies... ...and I have been remiss in keeping up with the blog. As our children get better, our time becomes more scarce. A blessing in disguise, but now we want to share with you what is due for your diligence in prayer for our children... ...as you have shared with us in our suffering, we gladly share with you the joy of Chase & Charissa (Thanks especially to Tobias & Elizabeth, Hui Jung, & Sun (congrats on Michigan!), Scott, and many, many of you for your calls, cards, letter and e-mails!)
On August 11, Chase was discharged from the hospital!
We took him home filled with joy and sadness. Having our boy home gave us a sense of relief that one COULD leave the hospital! But leaving Charissa behind all by herself was quite difficult for us. A sense of guilt would often overcome us as we would shower Chase with our love & time, knowing that Charissa remained alone.
Our schedule has been hectic ever since. As I would work in the mornings, my wife would watch Chase. Then I would hurry home in the afternoon to watch him while my wife would drive off to the hospital to be with our daughter. She would then return in the early evening and I would either go off to work again, or we would catch up on chores, bills, & other responsibilities from having a preemie.
So how is Chase?
Well, he came home on some medications. His acid reflux continues to hinder him from sleeping through the night. For a period of 6-8 hours Chase would gag & cry as the acid burned his esophagus. My wife and I are helpless when this happens. We try our best to comfort him, but no remedy really exists. The mantra of our doctors echoes in our head, "He'll grow out of it, he'll grow out of it." As we wait for his GI tract to mature, we simply do our best and pray for him. The doctors prescribed prevacid to reduce the acid and we think that it does help. But at the moment, we rejoice when he has his good moments...
When he's not gagging & crying, Chase is a fun baby to be around. He can raise his head by himself and enjoys just being a baby. He's eating extremely well, a little over 2 oz of mom's milk mixed with Neosure, and has raised his weight to a stunning 9 lbs.
Chase is also taking synthroid to help his hypothyroidism. The doctors aren't sure if he'll grow out of this or not... ...we pray that he does.
His eyes are doing extremely well. We took him to the pediatric ophthalmologist and the ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) has regressed in both eyes... Now we await for his development. Preemies are at high risk for near-sightedness and strabismus.
Now that Chase has left the hospital we have many, many doctors appointments for the first month. 1. Pediatrician: once/week. 2. Pedatric Ophthamologist: twice/month 3. Pediatric Endocrintologist: twice/month 4. Pediatric Urologist: once. That's right. From August 11 - September 11, we will have to go to the doctors at least 9 TIMES! And this is if everything goes well!
So how is Charissa? She still resides at Northside Hospital with severe acid reflux. She's maxed out on her meds (prevacid & reglan) and again the doctors tell us, "she'll grow out of it." The meds don't really cure her, but simply reduces the acid, until her GI Tract matures. What's her goal? Well, she needs to be able to take 8 bottles in a 24 hour period to come home. At this juncture she's taken 5 bottles and we're hopeful that she will be able to come home within 10 -14 days!
The result of her eye operation is promising. The pediatric ophthamologist gave a thumbs up on the results. She will need a follow up in 3 months!
As any parent out there understands, my wife and I spend our days, smelling our babies diapers, praying for a big fat stool (both Chase & Charissa get constipated, which doesn't help the reflux), rejoicing when they are able to finish their bottle, and feeling relieved when they sleep well. As I've heard said, "if you eat, sleep, and poop well, then the Lord has truly blessed you." : )
Our Prayer Requests...
Chase: 1. Constipation/Reflux. 2. Thyroid Condition 3. Eyes
Charissa: 1. Constipation/Reflux 2. Eyes 3. Get Out of the Hosptial fast!!
Our thankfulness to God is truly unending. My wife and I are still being stretched in our faith as we learn to love and take care of these two new additions to our family. We've been humbled and honored to witness God's grace extend from our family to all of you who read this blog. Soli Deo Gloria!
All of us must remember, our suffering & our joy will NEVER EVER compare to the suffering & joy that our Father endured through his Son. We are forever thankful that no matter what the Lord may place in our hands, true meaning resides in the resurrection of our Savior. Let us never pity ourselves or pity others. Let us never compare our lot in life with that of others. Let us only encourage each other to walk faithfully with what the Lord has given...
In Christ's Love,
Choi Family
