....CHOP

There's something weird about a children's hospital going by "CHOP".  

The wee fella had his first airplane ride--at 2 weeks of age.  Quite the birthday prezzie if you ask me.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provided the mom and dad with the second opinion--and gave the wee one a 50/50 chance of surviving the first surgery.  He'll need three (at least) heart operations and, if he survives, a transplant when he turns 12 or 13.

How could you NOT take the chance?  The other option was to do nothing and opt for 'compassionate care'.  They took the chance.  And the photo is himself arriving at the Philadelphia airport.  They were kind and let the mom go with him in the plane.  The dad had already left for Philadelphia.  In fact, the dad was IN Philadelphia before the baby was.

Mostly because they had the wee fella loaded up and in the plane on Sunday......and decided there was a malfunction with the plane and the equipment necessary for moving the baby from point A to point B.  So back they went to the hospital in Iowa City.....and they promised they'd send a different plane and different equipment Monday--which they did.  And that's how dad ended up there before the baby!  It's also the story of how Nana got to spend the night with the wee fella and mom before they departed Monday.  It's also how I managed to make Monday's departure without falling apart.  I did all that on Sunday, dontchaknow......

There was something about seeing the elevator doors closing with the mom and the baby ( along with 5 CHOP personnel), knowing that might very well be the last time you see your grandson....knowing your child was going through all this 'stuff' without your physical presence..  *sigh*  Still hurts my heart to be here while she's there contending with everything (not alone, mind you....just without me....).

No tears on Monday.

She asked me to be HERE to help take care of the Bug.

So that's what I'm doing....that's what both 'grandmothers' are doing.

No tears today.  I grabbed soccer shorts, long sleeve shirts and new shin guards for the Bug since she started soccer practice this evening.

So no tears today--just a lot of lovin' from the 6 year old.

But Thursday....when the wee fella goes into surgery?  .....One way or the other, there's going to be tears.

I can hope and pray for 'good' outcomes, but I don't know what's 'good' in this case.  I just don't.... So I'll just pray and thank the Big Guy for giving me the time I've had with the wee one and for taking such good care of the mom and dad right now.

And I'll say 'Amen'

.....but I'll be meaning "but you KNOW what I want".....  

I'm sassy like that. 

And that wee thing--he's so stinkin' cute.....  

*sigh*