Friday- Settling In

Carrie reports enjoying the luxury of settling into a routine with Baby Heath and Ella Brooks. With two pre-schoolers at home, there is never a dull moment! Ella Brooks had finished feeding her brother some baby food and being a great big sister. I could hear Heath over the phone just babbling away- he certainly had lots to say!

Heath continues to progress well. The physical therapist is making home visits twice a week but continues to be amazed at how well Heath is doing. He is crawling well and pulling up but the physical therapist wants to help him with the movement in his right foot- perhaps turned a little by the way he was laying for such a long time. Heath continues to have a good appetite, gain weight and just enjoy "hanging out" with his family. His easy-going personality has continued throughout this ordeal.

The Tuttles are looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. I hope to update more early next week!

Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah

Heath is Back Home!

I had the pleasure of spending the morning with Ella Brooks while Chris and Carrie dealt with the hospital care and release details for Heath. Ella Brooks and I had a wonderful visit and she always makes our time together fun and interesting! What a bright spot in our lives she is!

When Carrie and Heath returned home from the hospital, the first thing Heath did was reach for his big sister! He was thrilled to be home and immediately showed off his crawling skills for us. He was as full of smiles as always. The only indication he had been in the hospital were a few bandages! Amazing....another bright spot to be thankful for!

Carrie and Chris continue to manage the new normal but enjoy as much family time as possible. I passed along lots of hugs to Heath, Ella Brooks and Carrie from each of you! Continue to keep them in your prayers as the healing continues.

Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah

Picture of Heath- Post Catheterization

Chris sent me this picture of Heath post-catheterization and called with the good news that the procedure went very well! All the results are exactly on target as to where they should be at this point in the post-transplant stage- not where they should ultimately be but just right for this point in time.

Heath's port is OUT! While under sedation for the heart cath. he did have an IV placed in his arm in order to finish the current course of antibiotics before he goes home. However, Chris said the "race is on" with how long Heath will "decide" to keep it in! As he gets busier and busier (yeah!) it gets harder and harder to keep the IV in. However, they are hopeful that he can keep it in until Wednesday and then go home IV/Port free!! Who knows however since he thinks pulling up on the hospital bed rails are really fun!

Just wanted to share the good news...

Blessings, "Gran" Sarah

A Great Family Day

Carrie reported a wonderful family day Saturday for the Tuttles. Sharing a breakfast of homemade waffles, a fundraiser for Westminster youth, some house cleaning, a little trip in the car and a beautiful walk in Duke gardens as a family....ahhh....almost normal! Then they rushed home to give Heath his infusions...but for a moment a little bit of normal before this difficult journey began. The Tuttles were most grateful.

Heath has his heart cath. tomorrow. Considering all goes as planned, it looks like "Gran" Sarah will have the luxury of a morning with Ella Brooks on Wednesday while Carrie tends to the release details before bringing Heath home. So, a nice "normal" weekend before a few days back in the hospital- what a treat!

More details tomorrow after Heath's scheduled cath.

Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah

Friday Afternoon Update from Carrie

I called Carrie this afternoon and had a great conversation with her on how the Tuttles are doing- in a word GREAT! She has had the luxury of some time to unpack some boxes in the garage while Heath takes his morning nap. Ella Brooks is enjoying some time with "Ama" at school but especially enjoys having her baby brother home. At one point, Ella Brooks asked her "Ama", "Just what have Mommy and Daddy done with Baby Heath?"! Now she doesn't have to wonder any more-he is home and happy!

Heath continues to feel good and progress quite well. Currently his counts are a wonderful "zero" for the CMV infection. He is only receiving infusions for the port-related infection. Heath's counts for all his immuno-suppression meds are right on target. He goes back on Monday for his scheduled heart cath. They will stay in the hospital through Wednesday to complete the current course of antibiotics and check all his levels prior to going home.

Carrie and Chris continue to be so grateful to their parents for their tremendous help and support. Chris's parents have faithfully traveled back and forth from Black Mountain to help with the house, the children, hospital stays, etc. Carrie's parents have likewise been so supportive and feel fortunate to live nearby to help in so many ways. Their families have been remarkable in their willingness to do "whatever it takes" in the midst of jobs, school and their own responsibilities to help Chris and Carrie find their way in their new routines.

For now, the Tuttles are enjoying some time to settle in and just "be" as Carrie says! I expect more updates at the beginning of the week once Heath has his cath.

With continued gratefulness,
"Gran" Sarah

Fun on a Snowy Day

Carrie sent me these great pictures from their day together on Tuesday. Ella Brooks enjoyed the snow and Baby Heath enjoyed hanging out at home!

Blessings,

"Gran" Sarah

More Photos