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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - April 04 2003 : 07:36:26 AM
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Well, let's see ... a few more comments before we begin to allow little Sophia a bit of privacy ...
She is home, and seems to be adjusting well. She's got a pump to feed her slowly through the night, and during the day we hope to teach her to drink all her milk via a bottle - though the G-tube is there & ready. No monitor, after all ... they say there is no need.  No meds ... well one, as needed, for upset stomach.
We've got some adjusting to do, though, I'll tell you what!! Happy adjusting, though. This morning, in the pre-dawn darkness, one of my wishes came to fruition ... I sat here at the computer, browsing my morning web sites [ESPN, Fox News, Dallas Cowboys.com, here, of course ...] with Sophia on my lap!!! What a dear cutie! I had envisioned the scene many, many times!
The "You're Never Satisfied" Department!: Don't know why, maybe because of the seeming suddenness of it all, but yesterday was both joyful & melancholy simultaneously. The joy part is obvious, but the melancholia ... Sort of felt as if we were taking Sophia away from her adoptive parents. It was very sad. Bobby, and Heather, and Barbara, and Doy, and all the other RNs ... Sonya, of course! ... the volunteers, respiration therapists, PTs, all the doctors, including the 4 primaries, Litzenberger, Woods, Dalton & Yoder ... every soul there ... they nurtured & cared for ... brought her through this entire extended ordeal with professionalism & love. They rescued her from death on more than one occasion. And they never wavered in their support for us. Always there; always pleasant ... I honestly don't know what we'd have done without this fine bunch! In a strange sort of way, I'll miss going up there ... it's become a part of the routine. You could see the sadness ... mixed with joy ... in their eyes - those who were present at Sophia's discharge. These are Sophia's friends, the folks she hung out with every day ... aw, shoot!
Six months ...
Anyway, yes, pictures ... Chris ... soon! See PHOTO ALBUM!
And Colonial Woman! I had you buried in the Mohicanland Hall of Fame, and here you are!!! Thank you!
Thanks, all of you!
So, I get to sit with her now whenever either of us wants ... we recount our memories of the hospital days ... some very good chats!  I ask her why she looks so serious all the time; where's her smile? Right on cue ... she smiled at me! What a remarkable young lady my Sophia is.
Have I mentioned how much I love her?
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Cherie
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 02 2002
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Posted - April 04 2003 : 08:17:16 AM
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| We are so glad that she is home. She is one tough cookie!! Sit back now and enjoy, and no more trips to Asheville!! |
Support our Country, our President and our Troops |
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Chris
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 25 2002
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Posted - April 04 2003 : 10:07:41 AM
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What a fantastic mental picture you gave us, Rich.
I'm sure your PICU has reunions for all the little dischargees. You'll be getting an invitation, I expect, and then you can go back and show Sophia off to all the staff who are missing her too.
ENJOY!!!
With love to all 12 of you,
Chris |
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caitlin
Bumppos Tavern Patron
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - April 04 2003 : 10:35:47 AM
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CONGRATULATIONS!
I'm so very happy to hear that little Sophia  is finally home!
We have all been waiting for this day to arrive!
Big Hugs from us in Arizona!
Caitlin & family
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Jack McCall: "Should we shake hands or something, relieve the atmosphere. I mean how stupid do you think I am?"
Wild Bill Hickok: "I don't know, I just met you."
"A nation with no regard to it's past will have little future worth remembering."
A.Lincoln
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things"
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Scott Bubar
Colonial Militia
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - April 05 2003 : 08:26:35 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by richfed
... This morning, in the pre-dawn darkness, one of my wishes came to fruition ... I sat here at the computer, browsing my morning web sites [ESPN, Fox News, Dallas Cowboys.com, here, of course ...] with Sophia on my lap!!! What a dear cutie! I had envisioned the scene many, many times!
...
Hmm... weeks of family leave, Sophia on your lap...plenty of time for the two of you to play here on the board. How's your one-handed typing?
What could be better! |
~~Aim small, miss small. |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - April 05 2003 : 09:41:48 AM
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Sounds great, Rich! Clearly, this is where all that good energy of yours should be spent. Give her a hug and a kiss from us!  |
Theresa |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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May 13 2002
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
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Posted - April 07 2003 : 07:13:11 AM
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| Well, what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words is true. How beautiful. Thank you, Rich, for sharing this with us. Give 'em all a big ol' hug and kiss from us. |
Theresa |
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Chris
Colonial Settler
USA
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May 25 2002
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door
Canada
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 18 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - April 07 2003 : 10:09:14 AM
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| That is a nice way to start a grey Monday!!! |
Carpe Diem |
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securemann
Deerslayer
USA
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July 08 2002
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 09:54:43 AM
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OK, I'm sorry, but I cannot resist!
Sophia, intently watching her mobile. At home on 4/11/03
Sophia is, by far, the most serious & intense little person I have ever encountered. She stares at things, including the face of any person holding her, in a most awe-struck manner. But, when she smiles ... oh, what a smile! This little girl - so very strong-willed, so very eager to live - captivates & forces one to be enamored by her fierce little spirit. Everyone falls in love with her ... everyone. She handles everything in stride ... And, she received some very special arrangements of Welcome Home flowers!
I hold her in my arms & tears drip down my cheeks. I thank God every day for this most special little bundle. For allowing her to live after teetering with death. Every word spoken of her in this thread is so very, very true. She is a Godsend! She is special. I cannot put into words how I feel about her. It is a new feeling.
Isabella intently watching Sophia in her "new" digs! No wires, screens, lights, or other gadgets. Free at last!
She purrs like a kitten ... the cutest sounds. Her vocal chords are rebounding, but still she's soft "spoken." I wish you could hear her! She gave us a scare last night - she had an immunization yesterday - for some respiratory disease going around; I forget the name - and last night, in reaction, her temp dropped to 95. something; she was lethargic. No chances taken. Off to the hospital. By the time we got there, she was improving, but they took tests & x-rays - all's well. I was scared shit-less! But, she's fine ... got home about 1AM & a good night was spent. One of her primary nurses from Memorial Mission met us there ... another Angel ... Barbara. Actually, I think she's smitten. Been to the house about 3 times already to check in on Sophia!  She had her first physical by her local pediatrician last week - who was amazed at how well she is - and repeats that next week. Also upcoming ... trips to the surgeon [to check on her most recent procedure], eye doctor, ear/nose/throat doctor, and physical therapist. Sophia has quite the social schedule!
And that's the latest update on Sophia - sorry! I couldn't resist! |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 10:22:28 AM
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| Don't you dare apologize for this update! We all love hearing about Sophia and her siblings (that Isabella's a beauty, too). I wish I could hear her, too....perhaps sometime over the summer? Take care and, again, give her a big ol' hug and kiss from us. |
Theresa |
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Jayne
Overseer of Ariel's Auction
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May 23 2002
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 10:37:34 AM
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Rich,
What beauties in those pictures! Thanks for sharing. I can certainly believe that you would be tearful over such a wondrous little creature! Especially when I recall the talk you gave us at Linville Falls (2 years ago, 3?) about Ariel. You couldn't even talk about her without choking up! You old softie - we know how you are!! Sophia sure looks content and cozy. What a lucky girl to have such a warm and loving family! You all take care.
Jayne |
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Chris
Colonial Settler
USA
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May 25 2002
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 11:29:02 AM
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We've watched and prayed for this little one for more than six months. What on earth makes you think we want to stop now? Keep those updates and pictures coming. No apologies, Man!
Chris |
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door
Canada
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 18 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 12:21:44 PM
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| I love to hear about Sophia and of course see pics of her. I think I would be sad if I wouldn't hear about her progress, so you know what to do!! :) |
Carpe Diem |
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess
USA
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June 23 2002
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Posted - April 12 2003 : 12:25:58 PM
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OH wow Rich, I was considering begging for pictures so no need to apologize at all. These pictures truly took my breath away. Wow! What beauties! Thanks for sharing,
Steph |
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Brenda
Pioneer
Canada
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June 17 2002
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Posted - April 14 2003 : 12:06:33 AM
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| Beautiful, beautiful children! Thanks for sharing! |
“They say that you're never as wise as when you're a child. We'll never think that clearly again.”
From Arlington Road (1999)
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securemann
Deerslayer
USA
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July 08 2002
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Posted - April 14 2003 : 4:38:49 PM
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| Keep 'em coming.Love to look at all the little Federici's. The Miracle of Marion! |
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Pen
Colonial Settler
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February 03 2003
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Posted - April 14 2003 : 5:42:10 PM
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Hi, Rich,
No way should you be sorry for updating/venting where Sophia is concerned. You need to do this, brcause it is scary, and I need to hear what's going on because it helps me keep my mind off my own problems (lots of those going around!). Thanks for the great pics!
Pen |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
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Posted - April 20 2003 : 07:32:53 AM
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Her first holiday at home ... Easter!!! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day ... all came & went with Sophia at the hospital.
Frail & Fragile ... that is her story. Every whimper, every wheeze ... cause for concern. Running a fever right now, a bit under the weather, but, doing fairly well ...
Past 24 hours has drank all her milk via a bottle! Nearly 11 lb. now!!!
Very enchanting lassie, she is! Will try posting an Easter pic soon ...
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Scott Bubar
Colonial Militia
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - April 20 2003 : 08:58:35 AM
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Happy Easter to you and yours, Rich. It must have special meaning for you this year.
And to all here who celebrate it. |
~~Aim small, miss small. |
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securemann
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 08 2002
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Posted - April 20 2003 : 2:24:00 PM
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| Ah yes,a very special Easter for the Federici crew.Enjoy guys.I'm gonna bite the ears right off of a chocolate bunny shortly. |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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November 27 2002
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Posted - April 20 2003 : 5:57:13 PM
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I ditto that! A Happy Easter... and a Blessed Passover! Rich, give your special little 11-pound "bunny" an extra kiss from me, please!
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richfed
Sachem
USA
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May 13 2002
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 Posted - April 20 2003 : 9:43:38 PM
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Bad news ...
Our Easter holiday lasted till about 10AM ... from that point on, Elaine was at the hospital here in Marion. Well, that is until 3PM when Sophia was transported by ambulance back to Asheville.
This sucks.
Some sort of virus, maybe RSV - which she was inoculated for about 9 days ago, and it's been downhill ever since. I don't know, it may not be that. We'll find out within a couple of hours.
She's in the pediatric unit now, not the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - very weird there; they sort of expect that a parent will be there 24/7, or close to it.
So, we just got in, Elaine's going back in a few minutes to spend the night. I'll relieve her tomorrow. Very disconcerting - and that barely tells the story - to leave her all alone - I mean ALL ALONE [in NICU, there was always a bevy of RNs right in the room, not to mention all kinds of monitors]. Now this little baby who's life, to date, has been pure hell, is left to her own devices, to an extent, if Mom or Dad isn't there. We pay thousands of dollars ... aw, shoot. Complaining won't help ...
I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore [for example, 11 lb.??? Where did that come from? More like 10] - I am losing it rather rapidly.
Pray for her, please. She is a heartbreaker ...
Depending on how long this latest nightmare continues, expect me to be a bit incommunicado for a spell. Will try to answer E-mail in the AM. |
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Yes ... One More! ... The Sophia Story!
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