My best friend Katie (other titles include "college roommate" and "maid of honor") and her husband, Tim, welcomed their son Owen Allen into the world on Monday, May 21 at 3:14pm. Weighing in at 8 lbs, 3 oz and 20 1/2 inches, he is one of the cutest babies I have seen. Owen has dark curly hair and very chubby cheeks. He is quite the champion feeder and make the funniest facial expressions. I was so blessed to be able to share in this part of Katie and Tim's journey. Katie had a rough time the day after Owen was born with a hematoma and even had to have a Morphine drip overnight. The hematoma is shrinking and she is doing better with pain management at home now. I hated to leave her, but Tim is taking excellent care of her and her Mom is right down the road. I am "on call" 24/7, though, and Tim knows to not hesitate to call me anytime, day or night.
While with Katie in the hospital, it struck me how scary it is to be a patient. Everyone tends to talk over you, especially when they think something is wrong, making it difficult to get a straight answer. It sounds terrible, but I think we healthcare professionals do fly straighter when someone of our "kind" is there, like I was very Katie. She told anyone who came into the room that I was a nurse and to talk to me so I could translate for her and Tim. It's scary to be in pain and not know why AND to not know the drugs they are suggesting for you. Overall, the staff at Presbyterian Huntersville were excellent and took very good care of Katie and Owen.
So, here are a couple of links to pictures of our time there...Mom and Ash were champs for taking care of Elias so that I could be with Katie. The first link is to Tim's Shutterfly slideshow of their pictures. The second link is to my Kodak Gallery slideshow with some pictures of Elias, too.I am happy they are home now and am praying for some restful few weeks as they navigate through being a new family!
