Dearest Friends!

Praise be to our Heavenly Father!  Alison is home!  Yes, we made it home a day earlier than expected—Tuesday.  Alison was discharged from the hospital at approximately 1:30 PM because she was doing so well!  Praise be to God!  On the way from the NICU to our car, Alison experienced her first parade and her first breath of fresh air.  Praise be to God!  Alison, two of her primary nurses, a medical equipment technician, a home healthcare respiratory therapist, Stephanie, and I made an exit to sweet words, some tears, and big hugs.  One of Alison’s primary nurses made a special trip Tuesday morning just to say “goodbye.”  Two other primary nurses said goodbye earlier in the week.  These dedicated ladies, who stood by Alison’s side throughout her 15 weeks and one day in the NICU at Woman’s Hospital, were a tremendous blessing from our Heavenly Father!  They truly lend their craft and hearts to their patients and families.  Please pray that the Lord would bless these wonderful ladies for their gift of love and care to our Alison.

The drive home was emotional for Stephanie and me.  How we had prayed and dreamed of such a day; and thanks be to the Great Physician, it happened!  The home healthcare respiratory therapist and the medical equipment technician followed us home to set up Alison with a heart and apnea monitor and an oxygen support machine.  A home healthcare nurse then came by and checked Alison in for the first time (a nurse will come to our house two-three times each week). 

Stephanie signed several documents setting up Alison’s home nursing care and the rental agreements for the necessary medical equipment.  Please pray that the Lord would grant a special love for Alison to her new nurses.  Please pray that the Lord would grant His wisdom and insight of Alison’s body to her new nurses.  Please pray that the Lord would insure that the monitor and oxygen support machine work properly.

Approximately three hours later, Stephanie and I were finally able to catch our breath, eat a late lunch, watch our beautiful daughter at home, and pray to the One who made it all possible!  Praise be to God alone!  Tuesday evening, Stephanie’s parents graciously brought us dinner and spent some time with their granddaughter—which in turn allowed Stephanie and me to unpack, wash and fold clothes, make Alison’s Portegen milk, study her medicines, and try to gain some semblance of organization.  Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for all He has made possible.  How great is our God!

Alison’s first night at home was uneventful. Thank you, Lord!  She cried when she was hungry or had dirtied a diaper, but slept otherwise.  Bayley, our Miniature Schnauzer, was curious—but sweet—the entire time.

Thank you, Lord!  He had free roam of the house, but we kept a watchful eye on him.  Bayley did not do anything wrong or out of the ordinary.  He must be happy that we are home—Alison’s crying and all!  J  Please pray that the Lord would instill in Bayley a sweet and obedient personality toward his new best friend.

We spent Monday collecting all of Alison’s prescriptions—which are many.  The pharmacist kept saying “poor baby” while filling the orders.  One is Portegen milk, two are inhaled breathing treatments for her lungs, one is to treat high-blood pressure (systemic hypertension), two are to treat stomach inflammation and to help limit spit-ups, one is to help regulate her thyroid, two are diuretics, and one is an iron supplement.  Our hope is that all the medicines will be discontinued before Alison's first birthday.  Please pray that the Lord would strengthen Alison so she can be removed from all the medicines before her first birthday.  Please pray that the Lord would grant us His protection as we learn Alison’s medicine regimen.  Please pray that the Lord would bind the evil one.

Next Monday will bring our first appointment with Alison’s pediatrician.  Alison will continue to see her pulmonologist, pediatric surgeon, neurologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, audiologist, and ophthalmologist as needed to follow her progression.  She will also see an occupational/ physical therapist as needed.  Please pray that the Lord would continue to grant His wisdom and insight of Alison’s body to her healthcare professionals.  Please pray that they would look to Him as they work to remove Alison’s care and support.

Friends, we have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  We are grateful to the Lord for His gift of our Alison.  We are grateful to the Lord for tending to Alison during Stephanie’s pregnancy and the early weeks of her life, and then restoring her to health—when she was clearly in danger of death.  We are grateful to the Lord for His blessing of protection and provision during our storm.  We are grateful to the Lord for your sacrifice of prayer before His holy throne on Alison’s behalf (and how He mercifully answered the collective prayers).  We are grateful to the Lord for your friendship, encouraging words, gifts of love, and continued interest in our family.  Your prayers have been a tremendous blessing to our family as our Lord has granted His healing to Alison!  Praise be to God!

We now continue our trip at home as the Lord completes His promise of Alison being made whole!   We will never be able to comprehend why the Lord has chosen to be so merciful and gracious to our family.  His mercy and love continue to overwhelm us.  Do not ever believe that the Lord is not in the miracle business!  Our Lord is alive and moving—we only have to pray incessantly, believe in His promises, trust Him implicitly, and wait patiently upon Him!  The Lord is faithful to hear our cries to Him!  Praise be to our God!

Please continue to stand in the gap for Alison—our journey is not yet through.  We will continue to update the website with written updates, prayer requests, and pictures.  How much joy it will bring us to share pictures of our Alison at home (especially during Christmas—our favorite time of the year)!  Our prayer is that the Lord would reveal His presence to your family during this holiday season!  As we celebrate our first Thanksgiving with our precious daughter, we wish you and your family a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!  To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Blessings to you,

Langston, Stephanie and Alison

<< Back to Home Page