Joseph Fan Club: Here's the plan

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 Dear Joseph Fan Club,


When Joseph was in the NICU after he was born, we'd get a morning update from his medical team. They'd give us the plan for the next few hours, days, and week. I love a good plan. I'd cling to that plan, tell my mom and Tom's mom about the plan. And then I would get very frustrated when the plan inevitably changed. It felt like everybody was being flakey and inconsistent. It took several weeks for me to finally figure out that it wasn't flakeyness, It was that the medical team was responding to what Joseph's little body was doing. As pressures and levels changed, so did the plan.

So, with that in mind, HERE'S THE PLAN.

On Monday, July 28th, the whole family (me, Tom, James, Joseph) will leave early in the morning to drive up to Philadelphia Children's Hospital for Joseph's pre-surgical appointment. Poor kid has to get a COVID test again (3rd time) and probably a blood draw and x-rays again (2nd time) because the ones we did last week will be too old at that point. Everybody has to mask up. See attachment for Joseph's mask compliance.

On a side note: Usually when little kids want to play doctor, they listen to your heart or give you a Band-aid. Joseph tries to stick his finger up your nose and then offer you a lollipop. #COVIDLIFE

His surgery is scheduled for the morning of July 29th.

We'll be staying at an Airbnb next to the hospital because, due to COVID restriction the Ronald McDonald House isn't allowing any siblings. We're told recovery time is a week to two weeks. For his previous surgery, he was in the hospital for six days. We're hopeful this one will go as smoothly. James will not be allowed into the hospital and only one parent can visit at a time. James is already dreaming of all the screen time he's going to get.

All that said, jot this down on your calendar in pencil, ya'll. Anything can happen.

Love,
Lisa

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