Catching Up & A Treat!

Good morning, friends! Little man is sitting here fiddling with a cool fix-it tool truck he won in a contest he entered here at the hospital last night. In true Kai style, when he was presented with the truck, he yelled out a huge "W-O-W"!!

As I mentioned, they did not want to put him on anything when he finally fell asleep, almost at midnight, because they wanted to see how the apnea was developing. Within minutes of falling asleep his oxygen saturation levels were creeping down and he began struggling to breathe. It didn't take much longer for them to scurry and put him back on the Heliox (helium/oxygen mixture) mask and sedate him. After that, he was able to sleep all night, while still struggling and Mama watching his bony little chest (he is soooo thin now) rise and cave in deep into his rib cage.

Going back to yesterday and the journey to Miami. You guys are in for a treat! I know there are many "Scott" fans out there, so after absolutely no some nudging I will give my side of the story and Scott has graciously agreed to journal his adventures with Mr. Kai on the helicopter.

As you know, the "plan" was that once we heard that Scott could go on the helicopter with him, I would leave Fort Myers and head to Miami Children's Hospital (MCH) about an hour before the helicopter left Miami. We were assured by all involved that we'd have plenty of time to put that plan in action.

Shortly after the Still Waiting post the nurse came back in and said they just called from MCH. "The helicopter will be here in 15 minutes", she said. I immediately smiled and said, "Nice one." She looked at me dead in the eyes and said, "I'm serious. I'm sorry." This meant that I would definitely NOT be there when Kai arrived at the other hospital. She then turned to Scott and said, "They've approved your going on the flight with him". I praised God, turned to Scott, slapped a quick kiss goodbye, then turned to Kai grabbed his little face and said, "How cool! You're going on a helicopter ride with Daddy." I gave him a quick kiss and bolted down the halls and out the hospital door to hop in my car and head south.

As I began driving, I was calculating times and speed so I could figure out how fast I needed to go in order to arrive maybe just a half hour after the helicopter did. My magical number was 95 mph! OK. The Speed Racer in me (I know...I know. Totally irresponsible, but this Mama Bear was praying God would protect her as she debuted in her first race.) decided the starting line would be as soon as I paid the toll to hop onto Alligator Alley. For those not familiar, Alligator Alley is an 80 mile stretch of highway that cuts through the Florida Everglades. It is usually pretty open with light traffic and with the exception of a couple of rest stops, there is literally nothing there but alligator filled canals.

I called Scott about 20 minutes into my drive (before arriving at the starting line) and he said the helicopter had arrived and they were working on charts, records, equipment and so forth before they took off. I could hear the nurses in the background chit-chatting with Kai about the now very popular ride.

Finally, I arrived at the starting gate (Or is that for horse racing only?). I paid the toll, put the pedal to the metal and whoooooosh......out of nowhere.......appeared a Florida Highway Patrol, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT RIGHT NEXT TO ME! UGH!!!!!

I knew right there and then that God had intervened in my crazy thoughts. And could you believe that Mr. Patrolman, whom I am sure was placed there to probably save my life and other innocent people's lives, remained on his course of 70 mph for 65 miles of the 80 mile stretch. He finally pulled into a rest stop. No doubt, that was God.

It turned out that Scott had been delayed (he'll give you the details) and after I sped up to a bit of a more reasonable speed (I compromised with God...heh!) I made it to the hospital just 15 minutes after Scott and Kai had arrived.

I am definitely feeling God's hand in all of this, and again, I know it's because our little guy is being lifted up by so many from all over the world. I received an email from Italy yesterday where this person was just letting me know that her parish is praying for our sweet boy. I am humbled, blessed and in awe.

So, that's it from me. In a bit when Mr. Bombardier, a/k/a Jack Bauer (my new name for him since his excitement to ride the helicopter was almost the same excitement I have for Jack when it's Monday night) comes back from grabbing a bite to eat, he will post his side of the journey.

Much love, many blessings and as always.....THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I love you guys!

SCOTT'S SIDE OF THE STORY: (Coming REALLY, REALLY soon (and pictures even maybe a video of a helicopter ride, too!)