After a 10-day add-on to his 137 days at Cedars-Sinai, our son Charlie is home again! I was astounded by how fast he recovered from his shunt replacement surgery. When he had the first one last month it took six days just to get him extubated and several more weeks to get him back to speed. But now, less than 48 hours after the surgery, Charlie was being sent home without his oxygen tank, apnea monitor, or any other medical accoutrements. Yippee! On Saturday we were moved from the highly secure PICU to the regular pediatric floor for our last day which is just like regular hospital rooms except all the kids have a lo-jack device on their ankle to prevent any sociopaths from waltzing out of the building with them. There are big signs marking the boundaries of where you can walk around with your child without setting the alarm off. I took Charlie for a little stroll around the floor yesterday morning and as I was heading back to the room I saw a pair of security guards heading our way. “I hope they're not coming for you,” the nurse joked. And yet they were! Somehow I had set Charlie’s lo-jack off and the guards had to examine all of our identification. Oops.
Suddenly, without any of the fanfare or extensive paperwork of the NICU, the nurses came in, snipped off Charlie’s ankle bracelet, took out the PICC line they had put in for the surgery, and said we were free to go. Really? I almost felt like a kidnapper walking out of the building on our own back into the sunlight that Charlie had seen for only six days before landing back in the hospital.
Yesterday was Charlie’s five-month birthday so of course as we left the hospital complex our thoughts were on that scary day last April and our son, Oliver, who never got the chance to feel the warm sun on his skin. It was so great to be home again and though it was only 16 days since our last departure from Cedars, Charlie seemed like a different baby, so much more developed. Our dogs were excited to have us all back and apart from a few enthusiastic licks pretty respectful of the baby. We had a great night. I sang a little bit of the Kol Nidre prayer to Charlie since we were missing our synagogue’s services and also sang a bit of “Let Me Entertain You” in honor of our sacrilegious Yom Kippur Eve performance of “Gypsy” on Broadway last year.
I was on feeding duty last night and today feel an exhaustion I haven’t felt since Leah was a baby back in 1994. But even though I looked forward to complaining about typical new parent stuff like sleep deprivation, I don’t feel like complaining. I can barely keep my eyes open but it is such a happy, grateful exhaustion.
And now, I begin to contemplate my post-hospital life. I MUST get work right away and I have a few writing projects in mind based on our experience over the past five months. What will I write about on this blog now that I no longer (God willing) have complex medical procedures to deal with? I have fantasized about returning to “normal” life for so long and yet it’s a bit unnerving to find myself in the position of having to retool my identity that was so well defined for almost half a year. But I'm thrilled to find myself facing this unknown. Today is the Jewish Day of Atonement but to me it feels much more like Thanksgiving.
ahhhhhh....I feel atoned by reading this and no longer need to attend temple. Thank you.
Posted by: esther fox | September 28, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Fabulous news. Charlie looks great!
Posted by: Maria Sosa | September 28, 2009 at 01:59 PM
He's making me laugh--a good thing to do on Yom Kippur afternoon, yeah?
Posted by: Margie | September 28, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Yippeee indeed!
Posted by: Jan | September 28, 2009 at 02:07 PM
mazel tov danny! Charlie looks positively peachy! May it be a sweet, healthy new year for all of you!
Posted by: susie specter | September 28, 2009 at 02:15 PM
"...to prevent any sociopaths from waltzing..." brought to mind a choreographed number from a Mel Brooks movie.
Congrats on the homecoming. I loved the last line of your post. It felt to me very full circle.
Posted by: Erica M | September 28, 2009 at 02:24 PM
What a lovely speedy recovery. Glad that Charlie is home again, enjoying the sunshine and the canine companionship. He's looking lovely. Would love to hear about your writing projects. You have written about your family's experience with such eloquence.
Happy belated five month birthday to Charlie. Remembering Oliver.
Posted by: Catherine W | September 28, 2009 at 02:35 PM
... and you have much go be thankful for. Charlie looks GREAT ! Welcome home.
-Gordon
Posted by: Gordon | September 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Such wonderful news... a phenomenal start to the New Year. Mazel Tov and all the best of health and happiness to Charlie, Kendall, and you. Sending big hugs and hope to see you guys (and meet Charlie in the flesh) sometime soon.
xoxo darian and mike
Posted by: Darian | September 28, 2009 at 03:18 PM
I think he looks like your sister in that first shot.
Mazel Tov on the homecoming.
Posted by: Shari | September 28, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Hurray! What a triumph. Best wishes for you, Kendall, Charlie and Leah as you finally start your new home lives together!
Posted by: Kitty | September 28, 2009 at 04:46 PM
G-d Bless!
Posted by: Heather P. | September 28, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Mazel tov and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Cynthia Reich | September 28, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Congratulations. What a trevail. I've been following your heartbreak and progress from afar, and sending every good thought. Your son is adorable and I didn't think it were possible to have a 'wry' smile at his young age. Obviously an old soul. In addition to the warm sun and loving parents, you seem to have a great dog. (Looks like Petey from The Little Rascals!) Be sure to include 'Petey.' Nothing heals quite like dog-therapy. Best wishes from Montana.
Steve
Posted by: Steve Warren | September 28, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Mazel tov on Charlie's return home .... when the real Thanksgiving comes around very soon, I know it will be the best one yet for all the Millers. In the meantime, just keep kissing him and one big one from me.
Love,
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Molnar | September 28, 2009 at 05:22 PM
such great news! ox,m
Posted by: m.yahn | September 28, 2009 at 06:23 PM
So glad you're home again! Yay!!
Posted by: Karen | September 28, 2009 at 06:59 PM
The very best kind of news. Thank you.
Posted by: Leightongirl | September 28, 2009 at 07:03 PM
The pictures are amazing, what a sweet, cute baby! It is times like this that we remember that taking things triumph by triumph is the best way. Go Charlie go!!!
Posted by: mimi | September 28, 2009 at 07:41 PM
erg, please forgive the above grammar, I got carried away....
Posted by: mimi | September 28, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Great news! I knew your dogs would be great with Charlie. I'm so happy for you guys--again.
Love,
Julie
Posted by: Julie R. | September 28, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Yea! Welcome home for good to Charlie. So happy for all of you! And dogS? I wasn't aware (for some reason) that you had more than one.
Posted by: Emily Barton | September 28, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Keep up the good work, Charlie.
Posted by: Pearl | September 28, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Oh, I'm almost teary reading this. What a wonderful way to start off the New Year with Charlie home.
Please keep us all posted in the blogosphere on how he's adjusting to life back at home sweet home.
Love the pics... he's getting to be such a big boy... and SOOO cute! =)
Posted by: Beth | September 28, 2009 at 08:40 PM
what a great way on a special day. look charlie even has his yamukah on. may the new year bring you all the very best ...health and happiness and very special moments for your family
Happy New Year!
Posted by: debbie rose galo | September 28, 2009 at 09:22 PM
In every picture Charlie is speaking with his eyes - they are so lively and alert. He looks like a wise little man!
Posted by: Judy Brodhead | September 28, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Wow, this is amazing! I am smiling from ear to ear. Bless all three of you!
I would be surprised if you couldn't get at least a series of articles, if not a whole book from this experience. It would be a wonderful resource for others whose little ones came early.
Posted by: Edelweiss Transplanted | September 28, 2009 at 10:38 PM
He's all smiles . . . I can't get over it!
Bodes well . . . bodes well.
Mazel tov!!!!
Posted by: amba | September 28, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I'm SOOOOOO happy for you guys! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Posted by: Danusia | September 29, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Happy New Year, Danny - to *all* of you. I wish you many many days of regular and typical exhaustion from feeding Charlie into the night! :-)
And love to everyone. May this year be sweet, sweet and sweet.
Posted by: tamarika | September 29, 2009 at 02:31 AM
Wonderful that Charlie is home and things went so smoothly. May this continue to be the case and may your return to "real life" be everything you're hoping for.
Posted by: Pam G | September 29, 2009 at 04:21 AM
Ahh, exhaustion! Blessed exhaustion. Giggling. Now you'll look more like a proper new parent. Not with tear-streaked cheeks but with hollowed-out eyes that look like two pissholes in the snow. A slim distinction but an important one. Joy! xo
Posted by: sweetsalty kate | September 29, 2009 at 04:26 AM
beautiful. just beautiful.
Posted by: layla | September 29, 2009 at 06:36 AM
Yippee! I'm glad you're back home. Charlie looks great!
Posted by: jason | September 29, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Congratulations!!!!! so happy for you and the cordless Charlie!
Posted by: Helena Seli | September 29, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Oh, hurray! I'm sure you will have a million things to write about with such wonderful children and a beautiful wife. Life is good and just beginning anew. How exciting.
Posted by: churlita | September 29, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Wonderful news! Congratulations, Charlie looks terrific!
Posted by: Sally | September 29, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Welcome back home, Charlie and family!
Posted by: Candi | September 29, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Got my Danny and Charlie fix. Can now move on to other things. Thanks for the happy update.
xoxo
Fake Grandma
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | September 29, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Charlie is beautiful. You must be thrilled. Time for regular life to begin and dream of what dear Charlie will do as his first act of "normal kid at home". The possibilities are endless...
I love telling everyone your story and now I can say "Charlie is great and at home" bring on the old Hollywood with lots of updates on the entire family!
Posted by: suzanne | September 29, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Yay! Charlie's back home where he belongs! :)
Posted by: Elise | September 29, 2009 at 05:33 PM
I'm thrilled for you guys, just thrilled. And wow, look at that adorable smile! Charlie is so cute. Happy New Year, my friend.
Posted by: adriana bliss | September 29, 2009 at 05:48 PM
"Cordless Charlie," LOL!! Charlie Unplugged!
Posted by: amba | September 29, 2009 at 06:21 PM
YES!
Posted by: Ana | September 29, 2009 at 07:21 PM
What happy news! He's adorable!
Posted by: Mindy | September 29, 2009 at 08:57 PM
i do believe you have a life-time of non-atonement. I'm so glad he's home!
Posted by: gorillabuns | September 29, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Great news! We're so happy for you all!
Posted by: Andrew Forsythe | September 29, 2009 at 09:04 PM
I was at Shul when this was posted, but I added Chaim Yehuda to the Prayer list ...didn't know Kendall's hebrew name so they used Sarah. good to see his smiling face. May this next year be sweet with Good health and peace for all.
Posted by: Judy | September 30, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Great news, adorable pix.
Posted by: liza | September 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM
It is strange to re-enter "normal" life when you've been through so much. Hoping you find a new normal soon, find work, and feel grounded soon.
Happy to see photos of your round-cheeked boy. Today is my daughter's 12th birthday. Good memories, happy days.
Posted by: V-Grrrl at Compost Studios | September 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Congratulations to you on having Charlie home. I have not kept up regularly on your blog, but am updated almost daily from Laurie and Sarah who are devoit followers of your blog. Best wishes for the new year!
Michael
Posted by: Michael Jacobvitz | September 30, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Danny, ShanaTova for sure......What a great way to start the New Year...Love to all of you Marsha
Posted by: marsha | September 30, 2009 at 06:07 PM
He looks like he knows he's home! Smart boy.
Posted by: Edelweiss Transplanted | September 30, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Been following Charlie's every little step, forward and back, but never comment. This post made me want to jump up and click my heels and sing as badly as I do. I don't need to know you all in person to know how happy you must be. I love you all (even though we don't know each other)
Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!
Posted by: Florencia | September 30, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Posted by: Susan Buckley | October 01, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Charlie is really blossoming and it shows in your most recent photos. High five that!
Amitiés,
Posted by: La Framéricaine | October 01, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Yay! Hubby walked in as I was looking at your post and said, "look at those cheeks!!" I'll say it again: the yummiest baby ever!
I think you need to compile all of your baby/Charlie/NICU/homecoming postings into a book - it would be amazing. It's so 'bashert' that Charlie came home on Yom Kippur - this is going to be one fantastic year for all of you.
Posted by: Barbara | October 01, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Charlie looks great. I am happy to knew that Charlie is fine after his surgery. I wish for him, god bless him. My best wishes always with him. Thanks for this great post here.
Posted by: herbal remedies | October 02, 2009 at 02:48 AM