Our Family Is Back Under One Roof

Thank you so much for all of your texts, calls, emails, and prayers.  Tayden was discharged from the hospital this morning!!!  He has been eating well and only coughs every now and then.  The pulmonologist visited him yesterday and said that his breathing will definitely improve as he gets bigger.  He explained that preemie boys have a harder time than preemie girls, but stated that Tayden's lung x-ray looked excellent!  The virus that caused the infection takes 7-10 to shed from their bodies and they will have the cough for 2-3 weeks.  Their lungs will still have particles of the virus for up to 8 weeks.  The doctor pointed out that the summer is a season of very few infections so the twins will have time to get bigger and stronger before the fall and spring when harmful infections are more prevalent.  For the time being we are going to the extreme of enforcing a mask and glove policy for all visitors.  We are also asking that if you or anyone in your household has been sick or feels they might be getting sick, you refrain from visiting.  I know this may seem a bit overboard, but we are determined to avoid hospital stays.  The occupational therapist also came to see Tayden and she said that for a 30 weeker, his development is right on track.  She did give us a few exercises to do with him to strengthen his neck.  There is a formula they use to calculate their developmental age, and they are at 6 weeks, despite being 14 weeks old.  She said that by the age of 2, the babies should be caught up to their peers with no signs of their premature beginning.  God has been so good and continues to guide every step we take in this journey.  Being at childrens' hospitals these past two weeks made us realize that things could be worse - much worse.  The twins spent a total of 5 nights in the hospital, but there are children that spend weeks, even months at a time there.  I can only imagine how tough that would be on the whole family.  Parents must work, but want to be with their sick babies.  We saw some kids that didn't have any family with them during the day.  It was very sad!!!  We are so very blessed!