Ithaca is Gorges

Ithaca is Gorges - especially on Father's Day with my ladies. Its been hot and trying back in Ithaca getting used to the rhythm of work, 2-children and the heat. Ruth and Eve grabbed me some special breakfast and the NY Times and rolled out for a bit of time at Robert Treman St. Park for the day (by far the region's most superior playground). Kellyn continues to gain weight (8#6oz at last appointment), but is still getting used to the day to day. I'm hopeful things fall together this week.

Its great to be back in familar territory. Being able to walk downtown and see old friends has been excellant. Much thanks to all the great food, calls of support, visits from Mom, etc. Its a great time to be a Dad, but man alive is it trying too

Reflections on a wild week

Had a decent cardiology appointment today which gave us the green light to plan our return to Ithaca prior to surgery. Kellyn still has a very classic case of Tetralogy of Fallot with a tight pulmonary system. The main problem with this is that it prevents her from distributing a normal amount of oxygen throughout her body. She continues to gain weight (11 oz. in 4 days and looks good. We'll be seing the cardiologists every two weeks in Rochester to track her progress and set a surgery date. The team will meet in the approaching weeks to discuss her case in greater detail and chart the specific course of action.



For now we are packing our bags and leaving the comfortable confines of our families in Rochester. Thanks to Rose, Dan and Diane and all the extended family in Rochester for their assistance and support this last month. We really look forward to returning to Ithaca and will not soon forget all the great help from everyone in Roc City!

Its been an intense week - Kellyn now over a week old. I feel like I've known her my entire life. At one moment I feel awestruck by her (and Evies) strength and beauty, and another I am frustrated beyond belief for what they must endure. Its been rough, but great at the same time.

One of the things that has struck me about difficult situations like the one we are dealing with is the distinct sincerity that people interact with us (when the choose to interact). Certainly there have been some inappropriate comments (I understand that people really don't know what to say to someone who has two children with major heart concerns - and I prefer this to not acknowledging the situation at all) but this really brings out the best in people. Most everyone has wrestled with a difficult situation that makes them feel helpless. I've been taken by the number of folks who have dealt with major medical issues and have shared those stories with me. I've appreciated those stories - thank you - and believe living through these things hurts but places a renewed focus on the present moment and items that we do have control over.

Reflections on spending time in the 60-baby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Strong...

Transcending the NICU

Babies of all sizes and colors,
ailments varied as much as approaches.
Glassy-eyed parents holding bedside vigils or in most cases sadly absent.
Stimulation overload of alarmed machinery attached to wrapped blankets inside isolets.
Nurse chatter and wild shrieks of children who should be cooing.

Reflections on having a baby in early summer (especially this summer)...

Weather is great and with World Cup running strong I can barely think of a better time to be hanging with a newborn.

Dicharged

My Girls Away From the Hospital

First big hurdle cleared - Kellyn was deemed healthy enough for discharge until a surgical date is set. And we returned to Grandma Rose's house on Thursday afternoon. Evie joined us later that night. Kellyn is really doing well and is getting into the rhythm of eating, sleeping and filling diapers. She is doing remarkably well. We'll remain in Rochester through at least next Tuesday for her follow up cardiology appointment. The initial thoughts are for an earlier surgerical date.



Big Sister and Little Sister

Today things are looking absolutely beautiful. Love seeing Evie interacting with Kellyn and really enjoy being able to hold and care for her without tubes or leads. She's strong and impressive. Still feels like walking on eggshells though. We are focusing in on getting her stronger and trying to figure out how to mesh the schedules of baby and Evie.



Host Grandma Rose and Sweet Kellyn Rose (almost exactly 3/4 a century divides them)



Grandma Doyle and Kellyn - Instant Friends



Grandpa Doyle Now a Veteran with 3 Grandaughters

More than Sisters

Evie got a chance to take a quick visit to the NICU yesterday to see her sweet sister Kellyn. Great meeting for the two of them. Evie could conduct a how to session for visiting the NICU as an older sister. Washed up, was nice and quite and sweet to her sister. She told Kellyn she was beautiful and bound for greatness in a way that only a sister whose walked in those same NICU shoes could do. Big sister exuded the confidence in showing her little sister that you can have a heart condition and open heart surgery as a newborn that actually makes you a stronger woman. They will share scars that mark this distinct rare strength - the strength of the mighty warrior woman.



Kellyn continues to improve and is off of her oxygen in the NICU. She's making strides in hopes to prove to the NICU team that she is independent enough to go home until surgery (eating, breathing, etc.). Hopefully that will be in the approaching days. Follow up with cardiologists will continue over the approaching weeks to determine a precise surgical date.

Ruthie continues to get healthier and will be discharged tonight. We'll be off to the Ronald McDonald house two blocks from the Hospital until Kellyn is dicharged. Things are looking good and we are all very thankful for a great day.

Thanks for the great well wishes you are all - beautiful and bound for greathness.

Welcome the Mighty Warrior Woman!!!

Here she is folks KELLYN ROSE DOYLE! Kellyn's literal Irish meaning is "Mighty Warrior Woman", a name well suited for both her personality and personal situation. Born June 7th at 5:52PM after a long process. Weighing in at 7lbs 13 ounces. Unbelievable gal. Coming to terms with the fact that I am now in love with three women!

She is recovering in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She is strong with a similar heart anatomy to her older sisters which will require surgery.

Ruthie is outstanding, but exhausted and already feeding Kellyn. How about these girls?

Once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Delivery Date Set?

After a number of tests and exams yesterday it was determined that Ruth will be induced this coming Monday (June 7) at 41 weeks if she doesn't deliver this weekend. Doc says he thinks there is a good chance for spontaneous delivery this weekend, but wanted to set a date too. We'll have another ultrasound and stress test tomorrow at Strong in preparation. Got to say the ultrasound was such an enjoyable thing to have done prior to this process - now it just fuels the anxiety. We will certainly know much more regarding the baby's heart health after delivery.

Evie has been eating up the final days as an only child...today we hit the "Bounce it Out" indoor bounce house extravaganza for a solid couple hour workout. Got to work in a nap after that one.