Hannah Comes Home

“Hann Nah Nah”
11/18
When the stomach and digestive issue finally resolved itself,
Hannah’s strength & health rebounded quickly and assertively.
Within a couple of days she was off the T-P-N (Intro feeding), and on the d-a-d (feeding her many kisses)

I’ve got Two Banana’s
11/19
Hannah is still on Intro feeding several times a day, but I just fed my little banana a bottle for the first time, with milk from the Big Banana.
When patting her back, I was very proud of the loud, male-like burp I got. Go dad

“Dah…she’s a Hennessy”
11/20
On Friday night nurse Kaye said, “this baby wants to suck,” and Kaye was right on! She removed the feeding tube from Hannah’s nose/stomach, permanently. All food by mouth now.
I was filming a gig at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club (Hey L.T.), when Betsy texted me the news. I’m not a teary-eyed guy, but that was one of several teary eyed moments I’ve had this year.
From there everything happened so fast. We were still hoping and praying for an early December release, but all-of-a-sudden they were talking thanksgiving week. Holy Cow! My little girl is no longer a preemie!
My niece Michelle said it best, “dahh, she’s a Hennessy!”

“God Bless you Mr. Hennessy”
11/23- The only security guard to call me by name (even though I was there like 90ish days/nights) called me Mr. Hennessy, and I liked it…
I usually could care less, maybe I felt I deserved it after everything I’ve gone through this year. Maybe it was his smile that said he understood what we were enduring. It just felt right
Tonight I told him we were leaving for good, and he exclaimed, “God bless you Mr. Hennessy.” I don’t know why it meant so much, it just did & I’ll never forget it.

Hannah comes home
11/24-
After so much pain-stress-tension-anxiety-worry-agony, now we’re ecstatic. Hannah is coming home today. No heart, lung, brain or any other issues. Thousands of prayers answered. God, we believe, we believe, we believe in the power of prayer! Oh my god almighty you are, we are such happy believers. Thank you.

When we arrived at the NICU for the last time, the nurse immediately removed all Banana’s wires, monitors, etc, and she was forever disconnected from Good Sam’s Great NICU.
We signed/wasted a bunch of useless papers, than marched through the NICU unit and said our goodbyes. It was like departing from battle. Two or more babies didn’t make it. Many more are left behind. Parents we know and care about still have to pass the chilly security guards every visit. Maybe the one friendly guard will give them some comfort and respect they deserve for being at war. God help them all.

It was like a movie, as we passed through one nurse commented, “you’re a very caring father,” another said, “wish we had more like you,“ one more mentioned, “you always had a positive view and so much love for your baby girl!, “ and lastly one said, “thanks for making us all laugh in the toughest moments.”
Actually I was just being myself, and doing it for Hannah. Their words still made me proud. For me it was actually the 2nd miracle of the year. I’m on a roll. Bet on me, I promise it’s a smart bet.

You might ask why all this happened? We’re not shoulda-woulda-coulda folks. Stuff happened, we rose to the occasion, dealt with it, suffered, prospered, got the crap beaten out of us and somehow got through it. We’re stronger, more confident, but scarred soldiers, the three of us. We now march onward.

We held her tightly the first 48 hours home, rarely putting her down. All those nights we had to leave her alone, and here she is, home, and we never want to let go of her.

Her 2nd day home Hannah puked, farted, peed, burped, cried & slept on me. It was wonderful, and like I said, we’ll never let go of her ☺.

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