On September 17, after a solid month in Norton Children’s Hospital, Isaac got to go home. Two days later, at our Heart Clinic visit, Isaac was officially placed on the Heart Transplant list at status 1B. Thanks to his IV drug, milrinone, and a whole pill case of oral medications, along with an awesome Cardiology team that is available night and day, Isaac gets to LIVE his life outside the walls of the hospital! 

There is truly no place like home to heal. Isaac is so thankful he gets to sleep in his own bed, spend time with the family pets, go outside whenever he wants, go shopping, to church and out to eat. His home hospital teacher comes to the house twice a week and his home nurse comes once a week. 

Isaac is enjoying other freedoms as well. Heart clinic visits have been stretched out from once a week to once a month. In October, our family was able to take a trip across the country to visit family and see the Grand Canyon. We have also taken a couple of fun day trips to Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati and Kentucky Down Under in Horse Cave, KY and have a couple of fun things planned for the holidays.

We do not take living for granted, because we know the alternative. We are deeply grateful that Isaac is feeling as good as he does. Still, he is limited in what he can do. Having a pump and IV attached to you at all times is annoying. Showering is a little more complicated and doing anything that involves dynamic movement is a no-go. He looks longingly at activities like gaga ball, kickball and ultimate frisbee. These things will have to wait until he has a new heart. In the meantime, we are grateful for all he CAN do, and we look forward to seeing him thrive in the new year!