Holden Update

Friends and Family,

I want to start this off by thanking ALL of you for your support. The cards, the phone calls, the texts, and pictures of you in sporting your Team Tin Man shirts. Everything. It has  all been so amazing, and I can't wait for the day that Holden can come around and individually thank each and every one of you. 

We got a big medical update this past Monday. Lets start by putting the good news out there. Holden's first operation was successful. He recovered very quickly, and is back to being everything he was before going under the knife. Giggling. Talking. Farting. Kicking the wind without a care. He's just really good at being a great all around kid. That being said, there are some issues. You see, it didn't completely address the problem at hand. Holden's lungs are still taking on more fluids than they should.

The first procedure placed a small band (think $1000 zip-cord) around the pulmonary artery by his heart. The artery controls the blood flow to the lungs, and the band by restricting that blood flow decreases the fluids to a level that you or I might have. As the doctors told us before surgery, it's an inexact science. The band was adjusted while Holden was sedated to the dickens, and your body tends to react differently when you're active, so it's a tough call. We were told that in about 20% of cases, they have to go back in to adjust the band.

It was apparent a few days after surgery that it wasn't working as well as the doctors wanted. The original belief was that he'd grow into his band, but that's not looking likely at this point. As his heart works hard to offset the excess fluid, he has plateaued, and his weight gain has struggled the last few days.

Unfortunately, we're in that 20%. There is only one option from here. Go back in and readjust the band. Yes, that means he's going to need the first operation again, it is necessary to get it right so can move on to the next stage of getting his ticker fixed. 

We're scheduled for Monday. Holden was admitted to the hospital yesterday to monitor his feedings, and to make sure he doesn't lose any more of those precious ounces before the operation. Fear not, he's under the care of some of the world's best doctors, nurses, and support staff. He's currently housed in a corner suite with the attention of a small army of nurses. This isn't what anyone wanted, but it is what is needed to fix the Tin Man, and that is what matters.

 Holden is a warrior. We witnessed a few weeks ago as he recovered from his last operation so quickly that he was out of the hospital two days earlier than expected.

Okay, maybe not THAT type of warrior, us Flynns tend to run a little bit smaller. How about this?

One final note:

It also happens to be National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (through Valentine's Day). Join us by helping to spread the word! Wear red. Facebook, Twitter, or Google + if you're Dave Christino (just messing buddy, you tried to get people to join) about Congenital Heart Defect awareness. Anything you can think of!

We'll provide updates on the little man throughout the weekend, and all next week.

Thank you all again.

TEAM TIN MAN UNITE!!!!

Trey, Nicole, and Holden.

Holden Is Home: How Did I Explain Everything?

As many of you know Holden came home on Wednesday, bringing with him a few scrapes and bruises that easily could tell his story without words. He’s endeared, conquered, and moved on to the next phase of this process.

The kid is a champ, needing only a few microliters of Tylenol (WHAT THE HECK IS A LITER!?! I need it all in archaic medieval terms please! THAT’s WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL) to combat the pain, he loves being home. (And at least for mom and dad, away from the hospital) Truth be told, the kid doesn’t remember what happened. It has nothing to do with the fact that he’s 3 months old.  You see, the doctors gave him a mysterious amnesia drug.

Amnesia drug you say? Yeah, it’s a drug that not only knocks you out, but helps you forget everything that happened. It’s not quite as cool as the pen light Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones toted around in Men in Black, but close.

To Holden, his timeline looks like this.

Awake --------------------(48 hours)-------------------à Ow! What the heck happened?

That means I get to fill in those 48 hours any way I want. You ask, how does one explain the cuts on his chest? Easily. What follows is my account of the 48 hours he was knocked out. He bought every minute, promise.

(Begin story)

Wanting a new life, one with a little less action, a little less stress, Holden moved to a small town in Missouri. It was one of those places where a stranger just doesn’t fit in right away, but far from the busy life that he had been wrapped up in for weeks. It was going to be easier on him, or so it seemed that way. In a town of a couple hundred people it’s hard to cause trouble, unless trouble comes looking for you. He was confident that it wouldn’t.

Holden took up shop as a bouncer at a seedy bar on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t a friendly neighborhood bar and grill as often pimped out in the Applebees commercials. There were no riblets. No under 500 calorie meals. No 2 for $20. No, this joint was visited by some of the roughest characters known to man. It was out of control. It was the type place that was perfect for him.

He knew a thing or two about bouncing. Most of his experience came as the doorman for a popular club in New York City. A trained fighter, Holden was once considered one of the best bouncers in the business. That didn’t matter in his new life. People didn’t know who he was, and he didn’t want to know who they were. At least that’s what he told himself. The owners only saw him as a hired gun anyway.

He befriended the only other guy who saw things his way, a man who looked an awful lot like Sam Elliot. You know the actor?! Anyways, this guy gave Holden the low down. He didn’t want to see this mysterious city boy get into more trouble than he could handle. He knew Holden wasn't used to this type of life.

It became apparent rather quickly that the area’s richest being, Brad Wesley, had a stranglehold on the day to day life of the town. By means of his massive wealth (estimated in the teens per year), he had the distinct ability to manipulate the residents via his extraordinary amount of henchmen, who followed his every step. For whatever reason they all felt threatened by Holden’s presence. He was a wild card. Someone they couldn’t control.  Things turned ugly fast, and while bouncing on evening Holden was forced to run out a couple of Wesley’s boys after they turned violent. Drunk and disorderly, they didn’t take too kind to his advice to leave and ended up in an old timey bar brawl. Able to hold his own, the men were ran off, but Holden was cut in the battle royal.  

Pain Don't Hurt

He looked defeated, this was unlike anything he knew in his previous life. Although he was one to usually avoid doctors and the sort, Holden needed medical attention. While awaiting in the small concrete room at the hospital, a stunning blond female walked in. It was the doctor. She was gorgeous. It’s tough being the town’s only doctor, especially when you once left it to pursue your medical degree. She knew of the outside world, but for whatever reason she couldn’t bring herself to return.

They hit it off, and while she was concerned for his well being in the light of the recent events with Wesley, he assured her everything would be okay. It couldn't have been further from the truth. Holden was invited to join Wesley’s gang to help further their exploits this small town. Wesley knew Holden would be just the type guy to help him achieve his ultimate goal. (To this day the goal can only be described as wanting the bar, which he could have easily purchased and avoided thousands of dollars in insurance claims and injuries, but why take the easy way out of this.)

Excuse me. You guys gotta leave.

Holden rejected these offers. You see underneath this rough and tough bar bouncer there was a heart of gold. That heart told him he couldn’t allow Wesley to exploit the people of the town he had resided in for a matter of hours. He knew he had to put an end to this abuse. Fighting back, Holden raided Wesley’s heavily guarded estate. Using nothing but his bare knuckles and his pacifier he found his way through it.

It seemed impossible, the numbers were out of control. But impossible was the way he liked it. Impossible was what led him to this town. The simple bouncer trained in martial arts overcame all odds and toppled the powerful villain.  He was bruised and beaten, but he was the hero. He won.

(The End)

His mom and dad by his bed, and a handful of pains littering his body, the couldn’t remember anything. His parents could though, and while it was some of the hardest days of our lives we had a supporting cast that was just unreal. Thank you to everyone for the thoughts, prayers, support, and even food you offered. It really means a lot to Nicole and I, and I’m sure Holden too.

We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we’re ready.

Pain don’t hurt. - Dalton   

Holden's Journey Continues Tomorrow

Family and Friends,

Late yesterday Nicole and I received a phone call from Holden's cardiologist regarding his future. By all accounts the little man is doing very well. However, they want to move forward with the next step in this process. As a result, Holden will be having his first surgical procedure tomorrow morning.

It's tough. It was sprung on us very quickly, an answer needed in about an hour's time. Being understanding to our needs, the doctors did gave us an option of doing it at a later date to allow us to mentally prepare. The problem was, if we pushed it off, and Holden came down anything like a simple cold, it would all be delayed several weeks. By then his health could change. It's not a risk worth taking.

To lay out the procedure, it's the banding of an artery located by his heart. It will help slow the blood flow to his lungs and delay the second operation (known as the Glen) until we can get some more meat on his bones. (The poor kid is really trying to gain weight, I promise. He's got the metabolism of an Olympic sprinter!)

Of course we're scared beyond all meaning of the word, but we know it is something that has to be done. There is no alternative.

As parents, we've asked ourselves numerous times, "Will Holden ever be able to live a normal life?" The answer is yes. We're blessed with Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital  and one of the nation's top Pediatric Cardiology departments. The doctors have been fantastic to date and will do everything over the next few years to make sure we get his ticker on the right track. After spending the day there, and speaking with the surgeon we have no concerns about the care. Holden is in the right hands.

I was scouring the internet Tuesday and ran across a YouTube video. As I watched it, I broke down for the first time since learning of Holden's heart defect back in June. It wasn't grief, or pity, it was joy. The video is the story of a very strong girl named Anna went through the same procedures that await Holden. I came away from the video beaming with the same confidence she expressed. It is simply amazing!



As always, we thank you for your support. I don't think Nicole, I or Holden (who right now is nowhere near as scared as his parents) could get through this without any of you.

TEAM TIN MAN UNITE!

Trey, Nicole, and Holden Flynn

Wrapping up 2011

-So my hand, it fits into my mouth!

Holden has discovered that he has hands and fingers, and that they fit quite nicely into his mouth and eyes. He's very good at faking us out...nope not tired just trying to move my eye over to make room for my hand! He will spit or pull his pacifier/soother/binky or whatever you call it, out to immediately shove his thumb and a few fingers in.

-Shots! Shots! Sh Sh Shots! (now has a completely new meaning around here)
Being 2 months old means shots time!! Holden had his buffet of vaccines and took them like a champ. Which for a 7 lbs, chicken leg baby is awesome.

-Animal Planet

Lately the animals on his play mat have become enemy #1. Lay him under that orange monkey or blue elephant and it's on! Those animals never stood a chance, getting smacked and batted around by an infant learning to gain hand eye coordination. On a side note whenever Holden is playing on his jungle mat, Maggie will bring one of her toys over to Holden. Sometimes its to share other times it just to chew next to him.

Happy Holidays!!
He might have only been a very mature 10 weeks old, but the Holidays were quite the hustle and bustle in the Flynn household. Being a religion mutt, Holden gets to celebrate all holidays.

It all started when he helped Nicole light the Hanukkah Candles. Very uncooperative. We tried to explain how awesome and cute it would be if he held on of the candles out as if he was lighting the Menorah. No go, so this forced shot was all we could come up with.


An attempted visit to Santa at the Millennia Mall left Mom and Dad finding alternative avenues to sneak a pic with Ol' Saint Nick as the end of the line was clearly marked with a 120 minute wait. Dad's yule flask wasn't full enough to put up with screaming, bored children for two hours. We caught word of Santa making a quick pitstop at the Bass Pro Shops. Ten minutes in line, a photo with Santa was taken, and despite the stench of cheap bourbon and vomit baby's first Santa photo was a success.

For some reason we wrapped his gifts. Why waste the paper? Do we hate Earth that much? Who knows, but the kid probably would have been content with a tree side chair as it glistened with all sorts of bright colors. That thing is like crack for him, but he imbibed in the unwrapping festivities, or was forced to do so at least.

What about the Christmas feast? Sensory overload. He lasted about 5 minutes, and subsequently voiced his displeasure. My family spoke all night about he looks a lot like my grandfather...he always hated crows himself.

Happy Holidays

- Flynnseseses

And because you read through all this and really just wanted to see some pics
 

Thanksgiving Dinner



New "tv" chair

See ya in 2012!!

  



Mom. Dad. I'm Know. I'm Like 1 Month Old Today. Gosh.

Most of use remember our month old birthday. The relentless gas. Sitting in your own filth. Hunger pains at all hours. The only thing you got going for you? It is one of the few times in life that you can actually boss your parents around. It's like...

"Mom, Dad, I'm hungry. I don't care if you just fell back asleep, I want a bottle. Like now. And to prove my point I'm going to hit 123 decibels."

But all that hype about a kid changing your life? Overrated. Lots of things have come about in my life that have required the following.

- 24 hour attention, devoiding one's self of any and all personal time
- The joyful handling of another's feces
- A combination of Earplugs, Tylenol 3, and an IV drip of crude grain alcohol to get through it

We wouldn't trade our first month with Holden for anything though. The highs have been great. He's somehow achieved head control during tummy time, the ability to Mutumbo smack the hell out of his orange dangling thing what hangs over his floor pad, and most of all the recognition of one's hands, a discovery that rivals fire, electricity, and Burrito Bros. Taco Company.

His Halloween was filled with sleep. He literally slept through the peak hours of Trick Or Treating. That was through a number of door knocks and screams, supplemented by the victorious bark of Maggie, who somehow found a 4 year old Spiderman to be the equivalent of Jack the Ripper. He still dressed for a part, twice.




I am not mid-fart in this picture


We had our first appointment with the cardiologist on Monday. While there were no answers about what is to come, we do know Holden has gained a pound since birth, and he's doing about as well as he can. You can't complain with that, now can you!

For now,

Trey

Scouting the Newly Acquired Holden Joseph Flynn

Heyyyyyy World



As with anything the statistical breakdown tells the story.

Name: Holden Joseph Flynn

Nickname: The Tin-Man

Birth Date: 10/11/11

Time: 7:46AM

Length (at birth): 18 inches

Weight (at birth): 4 lbs 13 oz

Hair: Strawberry blond (Has more than his dad)

Eyes: Blue/green

Average feeding: 2oz delivered from Le Boob de Nicole

Diaper size: Newborn. (we ran out of Premmies)

Average dooks per day: 4.2

Average weight per dook: N/A (mom wouldn't allow me to do it)

Split second uncovered wang during diaper change firehose pees per day: 1.3

Head control: Swivelly

Hands: Edward Sissorhands-ish

Foot control: Kicky

Sleep: Holden's sleeping pattern can best be described as deep. He probably wouldn't notice an A-Bomb if it detonated 3 inches from his ear. He generally sleeps anywhere from 2-4 hours at a time. If he wakes up it is usually because he's hungry or he has farted loud enough to shake himself awake.  

General likes/dislikes: Holden likes to feel confined. I'm guessing elevators shouldn't be an issue in the future. He also likes attacking his own face, and if swaddled will find a way to get his hands free to continue his own special grooming. His only real dislike is in the form of socks despite the fact that his feet are ice cold without them. It helps that he has such long and narrow feet, likely inherited from his mom, because the majority of dad's family has every wide, somewhat hobbitish feet.   

Overall Roundup: This kid is a stud, like his father. 

Flattering, very flattering



Born'd



Trey's Diaper Party

So Paige came up with the idea to have a "diaper party". She told Trey no its great all you do is have your guy frineds over and tell them to bring diapers. Trey poo-pooed the idea, then it dawned on him how many diapers we could get. So he made some BBQ, dropped a keg and put on football...1583. That's right we got 1583 diapers and close to 4000 wipes. Thank you! Yah we kind of feel bad, all these clueless guys thought they were getting a steal of a deal, just bring diapers and get free beer and food? HA! Sticker shock I'm sure. AND all the diapers we got were for babies-boy babies, not pull ups, and NOT adult diapers. Very classy gentlemen- again Thank you!

PS- This is only part of the supply! Couldn't fit them all in one picture!