Update on Holden

Holden is still at Children's at Egleston recovering from his Catheterization that was done on Friday. He is doing okay, but is still requiring more oxygen than he typically needs, so they are keeping him in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for constant monitoring while they attempt to wean him back down to the level he was on at home.

And although he made it through the Catheterization and is recovering, the procedure did not provide us or doctors with much information. It confirmed that Holden is complicated as he has multiple issues going on that all need to be considered as we move forward with treatment. They did attempt to close his PDA (small hole between his heart and lungs), however, due to his size, they were not successful and will have to reattempt when he is older. The plan is still to do the stomach (reflux) and hernia surgery in August. By reducing/eliminating the reflux, Holden will be able to safely eat and grow without posing any additional risk to his lungs.

While the little monkey is holding his own in the CICU, he has been fussy on and off and showing the nurses that he's not happy to be there. We are visiting him as much as we are allowed and he seems more content when Mommy and Daddy are with him! We hope to get moved to a private room soon. We are not sure how much longer Holden will be here, but we know he's a fighter and will get through this. We will post another update as we know more. Thank you for the support and prayers!

We're Back!

It has been a couple of months since we've brought Holden home from the hospital and we wanted to give everyone an update on how the little monkey is doing and share some recent photos.

Since we've last posted, Holden has had some great successes - along with some pretty big set backs, but he continues to fight his way through each obstacle.

First and foremost, we are so blessed to have Holden in our family and Reece and I are enjoying parenthood. Even Alex looks forward to his daily kisses (or as we call it, "sugar") from our little guy. The monkey now weighs over 11 lbs and is nearly 23" long. Holden has been enjoying finally meeting his family - including Grandmas, Grandpa, his Aunts, Uncles and most recently, his cousins!!



The month of June brought some set backs for Holden with 2 hospital visits totaling nearly 3 weeks in the hospital. The 1st was due to severe reflux, the 2nd was pneumonia that resulted from Holden aspirating from his reflux. It has taken several weeks for Holden to get back to where he was before the pneumonia. Although he is feeling better, he is still requiring slightly more oxygen than he needed before his hospital stay. Doctors have made several adjustments to his care and we are hopeful that we are now going in the right direction.

Holden does have a challenging summer ahead of him with 2 surgeries/procedures planned. He is scheduled for a cathizeration on July 25 (to check his lungs and heart) and then surgery for his reflux and hernia in August. Although all of these procedures are considered relatively safe, Holden is still medically fragile, so he is at slightly greater risk. As nervous as we are about what the next several weeks hold, we are hopeful that these procedures will help our little guy on his road to being healed.

Those of you who really know me, know I am the eternal optimist. But even I occasionally have a day where I wonder how we are going to make it through all this. But it is those days that I dig deeper, fight harder and pray more. And while I admit, I never thought Holden would have to endure so much, I still believe he is going to be okay. And it is my faith that gets me through and enables me to be strong for my son. And every night, before we go to bed, Holden and I say our prayers and thank God for the good health that he will be blessed with!

We will continue posting updates each week or as we have more information - or more cute pictures!! We thank you for all of your support and love during this challenging time and we ask that you continue to keep Holden in your prayers, especially the next several weeks.

Love,

Mommy

Holden Comes Home!

To say we've been looking forward to this day for 10 weeks would be an understatement! Yesterday, Holden finally came home! It was a day full of emotion, joy, hope and "firsts". As we exited the hospital that we've grown to know oh so well, Holden began to experience the beginning of many "firsts" in his life. It was the first time he felt a breeze on his adorable little cheek. The first time he truly saw sunshine. The first time he got to ride in his car seat in the car (which he cried half way home). The first time he saw his house and nursery and the first time he met his puppy dog, Alex. Not bad for one day.

It did not take long for Mommy and Daddy to get comfortable with the home monitor, oxygen and feeding tube. The biggest challenge is being mobile while carrying Holden and walking throughout the house, but thanks to a carrying bag for the oxygen and home monitor it can be done!

Alex greeted Holden at the door and has done extremely well around the little munchkin.

Now that Holden is home, we are looking forward to some "normalcy" in our lives. A couple of days with the typical newborn stuff (sleepless nights, spit ups, poopy diapers - the works) sounds great right about now. And home is where Holden belongs.

It also feels like an appropriate time to bring some closure to Holden's first Blog. We want to thank each and every one of you for caring about our sweet baby boy. It is overwhelming to know how many people pray for Holden and some of you we've never even met. Thank you for all of your kind words, gifts, home made meals, positive thoughts and most of all - prayers. God has blessed us beyond belief. And through this journey, we've not only learned to love with all our heart, we've learned the power of being loved by others. I now believe that you do not truly know love, until you love with all your heart. It means risking getting hurt and feeling vulnerable, but it is so worth the risk! I think it goes without saying that "faith" is what helped us through this big bump in the road of life. And we have faith that the journey will continue to get better and better through the years now that Holden is part of our family.

The plan for Holden now is to stay healthy, grow big and strong and enjoy life as a newborn. He now weighs 7 lbs. 1.5 oz. Initially, we'll have several doctors appointments, but then we'll likely just have monthly visits and check ups. Once he is big enough, he'll have a procedure to close his PDA and ASD. We will keep in touch with family and friends via e-mail, Christmas cards, phone calls, etc. We also plan to have a get together sometime this summer, so everyone can meet Holden in person. If you'd like for us to keep in touch, please e-mail us your contact information (E-mail, home address and phone numbers) at reeceandchristine@yahoo.com. Thank you again and God Bless.

Love,

Reece, Christine, Holden and Alex

Baby Holden Update

GREAT NEWS! The doctors have determined that Holden does not need surgery. They feel they can control the pulmonary hypertension with medication and then when he is big enough, there is a non invasive procedure they can do to close the PDA and ASD. Thank God!! He will still have a pretty long road ahead of him, but with time and growth, our little guy is going to get better!

And more good news, Holden will likely come home next Wednesday! Initially, he will be on oxygen and a home monitor, but he'll be at home where he belongs with Mommy, Daddy and Alex.

Mommy and Daddy are "nesting" in with the munchkin on Saturday night, which means staying in a room here in the hospital, so we can try out our home monitoring equipment and make sure we are comfortable with everything!

Once life at home calms down and cold/flu season is over, we'll be able to begin introducing Holden to everyone! We can not thank you enough for all of the prayers and support. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.

Baby Holden Update

Holden continues to grow daily and now weighs 6lbs. 11.1oz. He has been doing very well with his bottle feedings and still enjoys his daily massages with Miss Meg.

His little personality is really showing now. He is proving to be a "a lover and a fighter." He loves to cuddle and has learned if he fusses just enough one of the nurses, volunteers or Mommy will hold him. He likes to look in your eyes and reach for your lips when you give kisses! Then at other times, he is very fiesty and lets us know he's not happy with whatever we may be doing (giving medicine, changing diaper, bathing, etc.).

A team of doctors will meet this week to discuss the best course of treatmet for Holden. Unfortunately, one option may involve surgery. We pray to God that he will guide us down the best path for our little munchkin. We'll let you know once a decision is made. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Baby Holden Update

We are learning the true meaning to "3 steps forward and 2 steps" back as Holden's latest echocardiogram showed the pressure (pulmonary hypertension) has increased in his heart again.


Doctors have increased the dosage of his medication. The cardiologist and pulmonologist will meet next week to discuss any other options. We are not sure how this will (or if it will) affect when he can come home.


The little munchkin is doing much better with his bottle feedings and took almost all of the 2 bottles Mommy gave him yesterday. He continues to grow, now weighing 6lb. 8oz.

This road we are travelling has had more detours than any of us hoped, but we have faith that the road will lead us home with Holden - where he will continue to grow and heal. We thank you for the continued thoughts and prayers.