After two brain surgeries, 4 ultrasounds, 3 CT scans, a series of x-rays, and endless IVs and needle sticks over the past 15 days at the Cedars-Sinai Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Charlie is finally HOME. Whatever your belief system or thoughts about a Higher Power, you have to concede that the human body is an amazing, awe-inspiring regenerative miracle. When I think of where Charlie was at just 48 hours ago, tethered to a bank of medical equipment and monitors, so weak and in pain after major surgery on his little brain and body, it’s almost hard to reconcile that picture with the one of the little boy who waltzed out of Cedars-Sinai early this afternoon and was plopped back into the car seat he last saw on February 12. He took his first steps in two weeks this morning at the hospital and we’ll need to continue with some extra physical therapy until he’s back up to where he was in terms of strength and balance, but overall he’s in incredible shape considering everything he just went through. I know I’ve said this many times, but I’m beyond grateful for the brilliant minds that created and administer the medical science that has enabled Charlie to live a normal life despite the catastrophic circumstances of his birth. As happy as I am to leave Cedars, and as much as I hope to never spend any extended time there again, I feel such love and gratitude for all the people there who cared for Charlie with such expertise and kindness during these past few weeks.
I can already see Charlie becoming stronger by the second even though it will probably take a few weeks to fully get back up to speed. Will we ever have to deal with his new shunt malfunctioning? There’s no way to know that, of course, there are so many factors at play, but just as we have since he was born, we’ll deal with it if we have to.
And now we all begin to resume our regular lives. I look forward to getting back to work—and also taking care of myself again. Is it possible to gain 30 lbs. in two weeks? Sigh. I realized several days in that the tendency in times of extreme stress to shovel comfort foods in your mouth couldn’t go on much longer, but I was never quite able to focus as I should have on what was best for me. Don’t they tell you to put on your own oxygen mask first for a reason? Oh well, here’s to a spring dedicated to health all around.
This resurrected blog was a lifeline for my own sanity and I so appreciated every expression of concern that people stated here, on Facebook, and elsewhere. The world may be going to hell, but as far as I'm concerned, people are really great. As he grows up, I will always share with Charlie how people all over the planet were rooting for him in so many ways since the day he was born. It takes a village, right? You are all hereby invited to stop by and play garbage trucks with Charlie any time you’re in the neighborhood!
Doing "The Happy Dance",My Dears.....Hooray, HOORAY, HOORAY!!!! May your darling Charlie continue to get better and better...And may you and Kendall and ALL of your loved ones begin to heal, too! MAZEL!!!!!! As Dorothy said..."Home. There's no place like home!" Double and Triple MAZEL!!!!
Posted by: OldOldLady of The Hills | February 27, 2013 at 04:10 PM
So very, very, VERY happy to read this!
Posted by: Sarah | February 27, 2013 at 04:26 PM
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! I was worried all day as you hadn't posted, who knew you were coming home!?!? That is soooo wonderful!! It is the best place for him and you are correct sir, it takes a village!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!
Posted by: MIchelle | February 27, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Welcome home Charlie! I am so happy for your family Danny! God is good, I pray he continues to watch over your little miracle. I look forward to seeing this little cutie in all his favorite fun places!
Posted by: Robin | February 27, 2013 at 04:55 PM
Woo hoo!!! Ain't that grand...
Posted by: Robin najar | February 27, 2013 at 04:59 PM
YAY! I am so, so happy to read that you are all home. Charlie is just so amazing, truly. I am in awe.
Posted by: Heather | February 27, 2013 at 05:13 PM
oh, thank G-d. I was worried because the last thing you said was that you were transferred out of PICU to regular
peds, and than radio silence. I'm so thrilled that you have been discharged and sent home. How wonderful is that?
Posted by: margalit | February 27, 2013 at 05:33 PM
YAY!! We are so happy!!
Posted by: Peggy Shecket | February 27, 2013 at 05:49 PM
So happy for all of you! He must be so incredibly happy to be out of that bed and back in his own home! Happy joy! xo Susie
Posted by: susie specter | February 27, 2013 at 05:58 PM
So very, very glad to read this post! I hope you will all be able to get some good healing REST now. Welcome home.
Posted by: Shari | February 27, 2013 at 06:10 PM
Hope it was wonderful to walk in your front door.So glad that ordeal of keeping him horizontal is finally over. Amazing you are home so soon after brain surgery. I feel your gratitude for what is wonderful in people and this world.
Posted by: Marjorie | February 27, 2013 at 08:02 PM
How wonderful---and Charlie looks radiant!
Posted by: A | February 27, 2013 at 08:24 PM
I am so grateful. Welcome home.
Posted by: Laurie J | February 27, 2013 at 09:00 PM
SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED!!!!! MUCH LOVE!!!
Posted by: Jill Soloway | February 27, 2013 at 09:08 PM
You and Kendall certainly deserve some relaxing down time. If I lived closer, I'd love to come babysit as you two took off for a weekend, but then Charlie would probably be "Who is this strange woman who doesn't know all my show tunes?"
Love to you all, and continued prayers for Charlie's good health.
Posted by: Jane | February 27, 2013 at 09:30 PM
I am so relieved to read this great news! I thought Charlie had to stay in the hospital at least another week. So amazing! I wish you all lots of sleep and recovery. And I hope to see you at the YMCA working off those extra pounds. I've got 12 to lose myself.
So happy for all of you!!!
Posted by: Liz | February 27, 2013 at 11:01 PM
Danny,
I have been following Charlie's ordeal and am so glad that he is home and bouncing back. Our thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with you and your family.
Posted by: June | February 27, 2013 at 11:04 PM
Lots and lots of kisses and Mazeltows from Holland!!
Posted by: Lenie & Felix | February 28, 2013 at 08:11 AM
Been following Charlie's ordeal, but not been commenting (basically out of fear of saying the wrong thing.) Now I will comment. Very happy he's home and doing OK.
Posted by: Kirk | February 28, 2013 at 08:11 AM
Hooray!!!!! xoxox from upstate NY
Posted by: elizabeth conant | February 28, 2013 at 09:47 AM
Thank God! And Cedars. And medical science. And show business for the rich donors that make Cedars possible. For what he's been through you should buy him a garbage truck -- no, not a toy, a real one.
Posted by: deborahlott | February 28, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Hurrah for going home! I am so happy for Charlie and for you all to be back in your casa. Charlie is one tough cookie.
All our best wishes for the speediest of recoveries!
Andrew, Rosalinda, and family
Posted by: Andrew Forsythe | February 28, 2013 at 11:26 AM
So happy to hear he's regaining his strength so quickly. I've been following along and wish you all the best.
Posted by: KWild | February 28, 2013 at 08:54 PM
God is Good and shining his love down on you and your family. I'm so happy to hear your precious boy is back at home. He looks phenomenal, absolutely precious.
Posted by: Karen | March 02, 2013 at 09:35 AM