Here is the GREAT News!

We must begin this update with a little disclaimer:

The news you are about to hear is in no way concrete, set in stone, or any other analogy you can think up. It is necessary to remember the NICU motto..."3 steps forward, 2 steps back." Only Elias & God can control the actual outcome, so while excitement is warranted and deserved, it must be done slightly, with the air of caution. No animals were hurt during this update and singing Bohemian Rhapsody (Wayne's World Style) by Queen twice daily might be enough fun to prevent a heart attack. OK, now we are just being Goofy, Katharine's favorite Disney Character. Oh yeah and Whup (Johnny) Long Hospital Stays & Troy!! (I know a few of you will get that) OK, can you tell we are giddy and have not had enough sleep in the last 3 months!! Let's get on with the news already!!!!!!!!

With that out of the way, we are happy to announce that we have our first real time line for Elias to come home. All the time lines before were purely speculative, but if everything holds it's course, with nothing to set us back (see disclaimer), then this time line is very realistic.

Here is how they hope it works:

1. Elias will go in next Wednesday, August 6th for another esophagus dilation. They will also change the trach tube and remove the sutures.
2. Elias is now on full time Si Pap, and if he can last they will work on taking him off the Si Pap for trials to transition to the Trach collar.
3. They are going to do bolus feeds (all at one time as if in a bottle) every three hours during the day, and continuous feeds overnight.
4. Once the trach tube is changed we, the parents, have to begin to learn to suction and change his trach tube. It will need to be done once a week and whenever it should fall out.
5. We both have to demonstrate proficiency individually to the staff (oh no! not a test!) and ensure we are comfortable performing both tasks.
6. Elias gets to come HOME!!

This was incredible news and much needed relief. So, with the time line above, we are looking at....

4-6 weeks (isn't it always that way though hahaha?). Basically, its 2 weeks for the dilation, 1 week for the feeds and 1-2 weeks for mom and dad to get it right!! Of course we want everyone to read the disclaimer again at the top of this update. We want no surprises!! So everyone put on their POSITIVE THOUGHT CAPS and let's make this "dream [that] is a wish [y]our heart makes" come true!!