This Time It's Cole...Home again

After fifteen days spent in three hospitals in three different countries; including six trips to the operating room, and lots of IV's with antibiotics, Cole is finally home.  We left Kenya on Saturday March 31st on a commercial Delta flight.  Because Cole still needed IV antibiotics and was unable to put his leg down, our travel insurance hooked us up with a travel nurse and an upgrade to business class.  Prior to this trip, I had never traveled anything other than coach and I had NO IDEA what I had been missing.  Economy class should be eliminated from existence and deemed a crime against humanity.  Now that I've reclined in the front, and eaten the choice meats from the table of the privileged, I never want to return to the back of the plane.  Unfortunately I won't be able to afford business class for our family of seven, and Erin wouldn't be a fan of me flying solo in the front.  So, from now on we will always look longingly into the business class cabin...and probably have PTSD.

Erin and the kids in a van following the ambulance to the airport in Nairobi.  

Once you go business class you never go back!!

On Easter Sunday, we arrived on US soil and were met by an ambulance to take us to the children's hospital in Grand Rapids. We drove straight to the ER, and for the first time in my life I was happy to be in an Emergency Room.   Cole was admitted to the hospital under the care of the pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, and ID specialist.  The next day he went to the operating room for the sixth time, and since the surgeon was happy with the cleanliness of Cole's wounds, he closed them.

Our "chauffeur" from the airport to Helen Devos Children's Hospital.

One huge step in the right direction, and an answer to all of your prayers, was that Cole stopped having fevers the day we left to come back to the US.  Slow progress.  However, we took two steps backwards when an ultrasound of his leg done in Grand Rapids showed that he had developed a blood clot in the leg that had the infection.  It was most likely caused by the surrounding inflammation and immobility.  I'm pretty sure he didn't get it from the plane trip, as he was in the same reclined position on that trip that he had been in the previous 10 days.  Although the clot should resolve on its own, Cole will have to be on blood thinners for the next three months.

Thanks for all those who sent Cole cards and packages.  They boost his spirits!

Chic Fil-a.  That will help gain the weight back.

So, now we are all home under one roof, trying to have patience and be optimistic about the next few months.  Even though this has been a rough journey, we are thankful that everything thus far is temporary and should resolve.  Our prayer is that by mid June, Cole will be back to normal activities with only a physical scar on his leg and a few stories to tell.  Our hearts break for the families out there going through similar trials, yet have the uncertainty if their child will be cured.  Our hearts also hurt for those who do not have a large network of friends and family to surround them during a time of crisis.  We are very thankful for the many people who came to our aid over the past few week.  Our family has been reminded of the importance of helping others in a time of need, exercising the body of Christ.  Keep up the good work brothers and sisters, we will be there right next to you.  Please continue to pray for Cole, that he wouldn't have any more complications, and that he can have a good attitude despite being immobile.  Please also pray that our family would be free from anxiety and worry as our ship remains at sea.  The storm isn't as fierce as it once was, but the waves still rock our little vessel.  Pray that we can learn to "kiss the waves" that rock our boat...  embracing the trials and tribulations that come our way knowing that they refine our faith and bring maturity.  

God Bless,
The Mitchells.