We Made It!

We made it to Ann Arbor bright and early this morning, and checked into the Ronald McDonald House this afternoon. Yesterday was crazy, getting last minute things done for our trip, still feeling the symptoms of a stubborn virus, and trying to calm the anxious nerves of the older boys. We said goodbye to them last night as we dropped Joseph and Samuel off with my parents and took Alex and David to my brother's house (divide and conquer...) It was hard to fall asleep with the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and even harder to wake up this morning at 4:15 in time to make our flight!

Zachy's fever finally broke this morning, and he has been feeling much better today. He was excited as he boarded the plane and took off, but once we were airborn he fell back asleep and didn't bat an eye until our descent into Detroit. He soon started to realize he wasn't at home, and couldn't understand why everything is so different. Why were we riding in a little car? Where are all his fun brothers? Why does this house look so different from ours? Why isn't it HOT up here? Where is all the NOISE he is so used to?

Once checked in to the RMH, we decided to take a long, much-needed nap. Just as we were about to fall asleep, an announcement came over the house intercom system: "Residents, a tornado warning has been issued for the Ann Arbor area. Please proceed to the basement gameroom to take cover." TORNADOES? But we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Later we went out for groceries and returned to the house just in time to reunite with Miguel's family. Miguel was having his Hemi-Fontan here around the time Zachary was born. He had multiple complications, and eventually went home with a tracheotomy on a home ventilator. For a year and a half, Miguel had a machine "breathing" for him, but today, just days after his Fontan surgery, he is impressing the doctors and there is talk that his trach may be removed! Please keep him in your prayers and offer the family words of support on his CarePage site.

After dinner, I was really missing my big boys when I got a disturbing call from my brother. "Michelle," he began, "well, you know how Alex went to that pool party?" I was starting to grow tense. "He, um, well, your son put a little girl in the hospital."  WHAT!?!? As it turns out, the kids were throwing toys in the pool to dive after, and Alex threw one that accidentally knocked a little girl in the head. She was rushed to the ER for stitches, but apparently she's doing fine now. Alex was in tears over what happened and wasn't able to get a hold of us. And this was just the first day! Makes me wonder what will happen tomorrow... David told me he is going camping with his cousin this week and plans to catch some scorpions. Great...

We are, can I admit without a sense of guilt, pleasantly relaxing tonight. Zachy fell asleep quickly and there are no other teeth to brush, butts to wipe, or bedtime stories to tell. We miss our boys, but for now we'll enjoy the eerie silence before the "storm." Tomorrow at 10 am Zachy reports for pre-op testing: a chest x-ray and sedated echocardiogram. He will be unable to eat anything, but can have clear liquids up until 9 am. Hopefully he'll wake and feel well enough to enjoy one more evening with us before his cath on Tuesday. In the meantime, we're practicing his "cute face" to butter up the cardio nurses and ensure Zachy the best care while he's up here.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Michelle

Zachy receives a special blessing in preparation for his surgery

The Hagerott Five in our church gathering space

You soon won't be smiling, baby boy

Checking out the playroom at the Ronald McDonald House

Fellow RMH friends may notice the kitchen recently got a major makeover!