Friday 10/31/08

Friday, October 31, 2008 4:13 PM, CDT

John is back on the open crib as of 9 this morning. He did pretty well keeping his temp above 97.7. There were a few scary moments for Mommy where his heart rate and O2 levels dropped very low because of his reflux. As soon as his head was elevated his levels evened out. And his intake has been increased to 37 cc.

John has been moved to a different room in the NICU because they are so full. He will be rooming with a 28-week baby. It will be a little more quiet in the new room. Hopefully, he will like it since he does not like it when the other babies cry.

Friday, October 31, 2008 10:37 PM, CDT

Well, this is one of those steps back.

John is back in the isolette on skin temperature (the isolette warms according to his skin temperature needs). At the 6pm feeding, his temperature had dropped to 96.1! By the 9 pm feeding, his temperature had only risen to 96.8, still not good.

Another concern was that he looked unwell. In fact, both times he has been in the open crib he has been less active. Today, he didn't even really wake up much at all even after diaper changes. (Previously he had been more active and interacting more.)

We have asked to speak with both the RN practitioner (at 4am) and the neonatologist later in the morning. We hope that this is only a sign that he has been pushed too much too fast rather than a sign of something else wrong. For now, we are going to push to keep him in the isolette for a couple more days and possibly running some tests to eliminate any possible infections.

Please continue to keep John in your prayers. The poor little baby had a bad day... he is trying so hard.

10/30/08

Thursday, October 30, 2008 8:57 AM, CDT
Ruth had a small scare last night when the on call doctor told her to come in to be checked out for a potential blood clot. After spending hours in the ER we were glad to hear that she had no clot and would be fine.

When leaving we dropped by the NICU and found them moving John to an open crib because his weight exceeds 1800 grams (3 pounds 15 ounces) and he is controlling his own temperature. He looks very cute in the preemie Halloween outfits he has gotten, which the nurses seem to like.

Thursday, October 30, 2008 8:29 PM, CDT

John is back in the isolette as of this evening. He was having a bit of trouble keeping his temperature up. And he had a little more reflux and residual that were causing drops in O2 levels and heart rate.

However, John did great during kangaroo care with Daddy tonight. And his levels are back up now that he is in the isolette. The nurses had warned that this was a trial run to see how he tolerated it.

For now he is going to continue to relax and strengthen in the isolette and try the open crib at a later time. It's all part of the NICU roller coaster.We are blessed that overall John is doing well. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. =)

Monday 10/27/08

Monday, October 27, 2008 3:00 AM, CDT

John had some issues with decelerations and low O2 levels during Kangaroo care last night. He was able to resolve them on his own which was a good sign. However, Mommy stressed out just watching it happen.

On the bright side, he is showing signs of rooting. And he is starting to suck on his pacifier while also remembering to breathe!

Oh, and he is now on room air temperature! He is maintaining his temperature up on his own!!!

We are so proud of our little boy!

Monday, October 27, 2008 1:32 PM, CDT

Well, John continues to amaze. At the noon kangaroo care session John started rooting as soon as he was placed on Mommy's chest. So at the nurse's suggestion, we placed him at Mommy's breast... and he took to it!!! He only suckled a few times, but he would NOT let go until he fell asleep almost 45 minutes later. And, little super start that he is, his stats were amazing. No deceleratio

ns. No drops in O2 levels. He is not supposed to be doing this for another 2-4 weeks!!! Way to go John!

As to Mommy, she is doing well. So well, in fact, that the doctor did not recognize her from when she last saw her at the hospital. (Scary to think how bad Mommy must have looked.) Mommy's iron is at a level not expected for a few more weeks (anemia almost gone) and her incision is looking great.

Sunday 10/26/08

Sunday, October 26, 2008 1:14 PM, CDT

Daddy had kangaroo care this morning. John is up to 3 pounds 12 ounces - almost back to birth weight. He is still breathing without a C-Pap or assistance and is correcting his own apnea moments. He is about 2 weeks from trying nipple feeding. No evident intestinal issues.

Saturday 10/25/08

Saturday, October 25, 2008 10:55 PM, CDT
Today was another good quiet day. John gained 0.3 oz from yesterday. And the loops (air pockets) in his intestines have all cleared! He did have a few decelerations and lower temperature readings earlier in the day, but after some rest and quiet time he appeared to be doing better. Mommy and John enjoyed two Kangaroo Care sessions today.

Friday 10/24/08

Friday, October 24, 2008 11:13 AM, CDT

Daddy visited John this morning. He weighed 3 pounds 9 ounces or 1622 grams. The NICU had taken his ultrasound of his head to check for bleeding (normal, as this happens in preemies) but no results are available yet. He looked good. Mom is having her kangaroo care moment tooday at noon. Dad will take Aunt Pauline to visit at 9pm.

Friday, October 24, 2008 1:39 PM, CDT

Intercranial ultrasound came back fine - no bleeding in John's brain!

Friday, October 24, 2008 9:28 PM, CDT

Happy Birthday John! He is one week old already! And he is doing great! Mommy and Grandma spent a half hour admiring him while he slept this afternoon. He looked like a little porcelain angel.

While Mommy changed his diaper, John attempted a sneak pee. But Mommy was too quick this time and got it in the diaper. Mommy - 1, John - 3

The neonatologist has written orders for Kangaroo Care twice a day and also increased his food intake to 33 cc every 3 hours. YIKES! John will be a chunk in no time! (Any tips for increasing supply are welcomed.)

Daddy took Uncle Jeff and Aunt Pau to visit with John tonight. Daddy wisely has limited the amount of visits Mommy can make to the NICU forcing Mommy to rest.

Friday, October 24, 2008 10:24 PM, CDT

Daddy changed his first diaper! And it was a poopy diaper! Daddy and John did an excellent job.

A bundled-up John enjoyed cuddle time with his Uncle Jeff and Aunt Pau.

Thursday 10/23/08

Thursday, October 23, 2008 7:01 AM, CDT

Daddy checked in on John this morning. He was a little cool at 11pm, but they warmed him up. He had a restful night.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 4:37 PM, CDT

Mommy and John enjoyed an hour of Kangaroo Care this morning. He is still off the c-pap. He does occasionally forget to breath and his heart rate drops every once in a while, but overall he is doing a great job on his own. He is still receiving his daily dose of caffeine to help with this. The air in his tummy is still not concerning because he is having regular bowel movements, passing gas and his tummy is not hard.

Mommy and the neonatologist had a long conversation today. On the down side, the neonatologist strongly recommends "house arrest" for John for the first three months after he is released limiting as much as possible his contact with visitors and the outside world. This will hopefully help him pass through the winter season without illnesses or infections. We will have to wait until he is a little older to show off our bundle of joy.

On the bright side, Mommy and Daddy do not have to be quarantined in order to protect him. Those that know Mommy, understand how OCD she can be about germs. But the neonatologist said we just need to continue practicing good hand hygiene. So Mommy is looking forward to seeing some old friends on Saturday for a little while with some peace of mind.

As for tonight, Daddy is excited about spending quality time with his boy trying Kangaroo Care for the first time.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 9:00 PM, CDT

Daddy and John enjoyed an hour of Kangaroo Care this evening. Daddy also learned that little hands can grab hold of chest hair...and pull hard. They took this time to discuss the dismal state of the Cowboys. Mommy loved seeing her two boys together!

In between visits, John is enjoying his quiet time in the isolette, which is meant to mimick as close as possible the womb. For the next few weeks, his main goal will be weight gain (1600 grams or 3 lbs 8.43oz and gaining). Mommy's breastmilk is being fortified with 4 more calories to help him. The nurses warned it may seem like not much is going on, but that John just needs some time. As of tonight, John's weight went up to 3 pounds 7.64 ounces.

We want to thank you for all your comments. It has been hard to catch up individually, but please know we read and appreciate every comment. We are also grateful to all of you for sharing your own NICU adventures.

Wednesday 10/22/08

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 11:43 AM, CDT
John gave us a wonderful surprise this morning at 9am. He was off the c-pap and had been since 4 am! He was able to maintain his O2 sats up in the 90%. John was even maintaining his temperature up without the heat lamps. We were able to enjoy looking at his beautiful face and he even opened his eyes for us. His bilirubin was down to 5.5 no longer requiring any treatment for now. He is also digesting his food much better with little to no residual. The doctor switched him to clear IV fluids with the plan of taking him completely off the IV by the end of the day today! That would mean a "free" John and more holding time for us. He still has some air in his intestines, but the tummy is still soft.

We are just thrilled and so proud of our little boy!

Daddy is off to work today, but Mommy is looking forward to helping out with John. Never did changing a poopy diaper bring such joy!

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. We are indeed blessed!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 7:11 PM, CDT

John is continuing to amaze us. He is still off the c-pap! He also got his IV line taken out. Grandma watched...Mommy had to sit during the procedure. Mommy was thrilled to change his diaper again. And John was more than thrilled to show just how different boys are by peeing on Mommy. He still has some air in his tummy, but this should ease off since he is not on the c-pap. He is also processing his food better and continues to have less residual.

Later tonight, Mommy gets to help give John his first bath. And Mommy and John get to do Kangaroo Care (skin-to-skin) for the first time! Afterwards, John will move to an isolette (traditional-looking incubator) for the rest of the night.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. John's amazing progress is a true testament of the power of prayer and God's precious work in our lives.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:45 PM, CDT

John had his first bath. He was particularly vocal about his complaints. He did enjoy it when Mommy massaged his back with warm water and soap and when Tammy cleaned his hair. He once again peed on Mommy, but at least it was before he was bathed.

Mommy and John spent 45 glorious minutes in Kangaroo Care. It's hard to say who enjoyed it more. John is now sleeping peacefully in his isolette with only his feeding tube.

Tuesday 10/21/09

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:00 AM, CDT
Overnight John is showing some intestinal warning signs, with some soft loops developing in his gut, some blood from the food suctioned from his esophagus and some darker stool. Left untreated he could develop necrosis of the intestines. They are going to monitor it for now and we will discuss with the doctor in the morning.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 10:05 AM, CDT

They are continuing to monitor John's intestines, but for now he is continuing to pass stools (we saw) and his "air loops" from the C-Pap are soft, which is good. He is now under the lights for jaundice (he hates the blinders) and his respiration is normal.

Ruth says I am remiss in not mentioning that the nurses in the NICU are in love with him and he seems to have a crush on nurse Tammie because he opens his eyes and looks for her when she laughs.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:21 PM, CDT

Ruth is going home this afternoon, and is having trouble leaving her baby. John has a rubellin level of 9.2, so he is under the lamps until it drops to 8. Ruth says he is chillin' in his tanning bed.

His intestinal loops are still soft, and they are doing an X-Ray to make sure his feeding tube is properly placed since he is having moderate feeding issues.

Daddy has to leave his boy for Board meetings W/TH and will miss him very much

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 9:33 PM, CDT

Mom and Dad revisited John at 9. His X-Rays (on feeding tube) came back fine, and his blood tests were negative for infection. They are using a more powerful lamp on his jaundice tonight.

His flirts with the NICU nurses, particularly Tammie, and responds when they laugh.

We have pics of Mom and Dad holding John but are too tired to post them. Mom will do so tomorrow now that she is home.

Sunday 10-19-08

Sunday, October 19, 2008 1:28 AM, CDT

On Saturday, October 18th John developed some respiratory issues and was given antibiotics to guard against infection and caffeine to stimulate breathing.

Overnight October 18-19th John had respiratory distress. The NICU suctioned 5 mg of fluid from his nose, throat, etc. He has reflux.

Overnight October 18th-19th Ruth had her IV removed - no more blood transfusions or catheter! Her bandages have been removed - only staples remaining.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 8:30 AM, CDT

Ruth feels a little better this morning and her blood work is improving. No more transfusions planned for today, we hope. John got some rest last night, his heart rate was a little low but he is breathing well as long as they suction him out every hour or so.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 2:23 PM, CDT

Ruth is doing quite a bit better, she is eating soft foods and we cleaned her up a bit. Her bloodwork shows she needs no additional transfusions at this time.

John is having problems with reflux and apnea, so he is getting caffeine to stimulate breathing and frequent suction, since he refluxes up a lot of his food.

One piece of great news - John has gained 7 ounces since birth and now weighs more than 4 pounds!

Sunday, October 19, 2008 5:48 PM, CDT

Ruth is breast pumping with some effectiveness now. What she doesn't pump they give John in donor breast milk (carefully screened) to lessen the chance of necrosis of the intestines.

We posted three pics. We'll get the hang of this eventually

Big Dramatic Entrance

Late Thursday night/Friday morning October 17th, Ruth awoke scared her water had broken. It was much worse. Matt dialed 911, Mom fainted. The paramedics found over 2000 cc's of blood trailing from the bed to the bathrooom. An ambulance took Ruth to the nearest hospital.

Mom (Ruth) suffered a placental abruption, and 2/3 of her placenta tore from the womb. She lost 35-50% of her blood at home and on the ambulance ride to the hospital. Dr. S removed our child through emergency c-section and then removed the placenta which showed signs of placenta acretta. Ruth was in surgery/recovery for over 4 hours.

Ruth had 4 units of blood and IV antibiotics through October 18th.

John is ahead of the curve for a 30-week old preemie. He now breathes without assistance of any kind and is in an open crib regulating his own temperature.