So, I am sitting here just about to get ready to go see the boys and I get a phone call from the hospital. The doctor sounds a little frantic and says she wants to give me an update. Oh God! My heart jumps!! She says, "Well, Sean extubated himself this morning. We didn't reintubate him. We decided to see how he does on SiPAP since the steroids seem to be helping him so much. I guess he didn't like the ventilator anymore."
LITTLE STINKER!!!!
:)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I am becoming white trash . . .
Well, it's offical . . . I will be white trash. Bubba's dad delivered his trailer to the hospital's trailer parking. Shortly, I will be moving into the trailer. I will try to stay there a few days, come home, do laundry, sleep in my own bed, etc. Anyone hear banjos playing in the background???
Sean (or as his primary nurse calls him: Seanie) has started a course of steroids to try to get him off the high frequency vent. He was doing really well on the vent and they were turning it down, but then in the last two days, they have had to increase his settings. He will take the steroids for about a week, including him being tapered off them. Sean is now eating a little over 2 teaspoons (11ml) every 3 hours and weighs 1lb 11oz!!
Colton is being an active little boy. He is a wiggle worm!! He is always moving when we visit. He is doing well on his CPAP. He weighs 2lb 8oz. which is 1130 grams. When he's 1200 grams we will get to hold him (http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/). I can't wait!!!!!! The neurosurgeon came and saw his little head. It doesn't appear his temporary shunt is working very well. But, when the shunt was put in, a little port was placed under his skin. So the neurosurgeon is able to access the port and draw some fluid out of the shunt. So, day before yesterday, the neurosurgeon had to draw some fluid. Little piggy is eating almost 5 teaspoons (24 ml) of milk every 3 hours. Because they want him to grow, the milk he is getting is fortified - making it more calories than regular breastmilk.
How is mommie doing? I am TIRED!! Yesterday I went to see them twice - once in the morning to deliver breastmilk and once to visit the boys after Bubba got off work. That's a short 6 hours in the car!! Today, I have been getting some stuff down around the house. Unfortunately, I think I over did it. I'm sore!! I need to take it easy . . . easier said than done . . .
Sean (or as his primary nurse calls him: Seanie) has started a course of steroids to try to get him off the high frequency vent. He was doing really well on the vent and they were turning it down, but then in the last two days, they have had to increase his settings. He will take the steroids for about a week, including him being tapered off them. Sean is now eating a little over 2 teaspoons (11ml) every 3 hours and weighs 1lb 11oz!!
Colton is being an active little boy. He is a wiggle worm!! He is always moving when we visit. He is doing well on his CPAP. He weighs 2lb 8oz. which is 1130 grams. When he's 1200 grams we will get to hold him (http://www.kangaroomothercare.com/). I can't wait!!!!!! The neurosurgeon came and saw his little head. It doesn't appear his temporary shunt is working very well. But, when the shunt was put in, a little port was placed under his skin. So the neurosurgeon is able to access the port and draw some fluid out of the shunt. So, day before yesterday, the neurosurgeon had to draw some fluid. Little piggy is eating almost 5 teaspoons (24 ml) of milk every 3 hours. Because they want him to grow, the milk he is getting is fortified - making it more calories than regular breastmilk.
How is mommie doing? I am TIRED!! Yesterday I went to see them twice - once in the morning to deliver breastmilk and once to visit the boys after Bubba got off work. That's a short 6 hours in the car!! Today, I have been getting some stuff down around the house. Unfortunately, I think I over did it. I'm sore!! I need to take it easy . . . easier said than done . . .
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday Surprise :)
Just received a call from the boys' neonatologist. Colton is off the ventilator! :) He is on CPAP and so far, holding his own. There is a concern that he will have to go back on the vent, but this is definatley a step in the right direction.
Poor Bubba is currenly fighting with the hot water heater. Once he's done, we will be bale to go see the boys. After the visit, we will then climb into Tahoe traffic. It's going to stink coming home. But, seeing the boys will be worth it! :)
Poor Bubba is currenly fighting with the hot water heater. Once he's done, we will be bale to go see the boys. After the visit, we will then climb into Tahoe traffic. It's going to stink coming home. But, seeing the boys will be worth it! :)
Weekend Update
Of course, Bubba and I went and saw the boys on Christmas and yesterday afternoon. Both days the boys had visitors. Their Grandpa Ray visited them on Christmas Day. Yesterday, their Aunt Merrilyn and Great Grandma Mary visited them.
Both boys are doing well. No issues to really talk about. The neonatologist does want to get them off the ventilators since they are almost 4 weeks old. If babies aren't off by 4 weeks of age, they are given a course of steroids to help their lungs. So, the boys need to make some great strides this week to avoid the steroids.
The boys did mess with Mommy and the nurses yesterday. I was sitting next to Colton pumping when Sean's monitors went off. Of course, his nurse responded. The Colton's monitors went off. His nurse responded. Guess who's monitors went off again??? Yes, Sean's!!! Then Colton's AGAIN!!!
On the way home from visiting the boys, Bubba and I stopped at Lowe's. We bought a new hot water heater. Ours isn't completely out, but it's heading there. I think we can take about a 6 minute shower before the hot water runs out. Lucky Bubba gets to find the time to put it in!! LOL!
Both boys are doing well. No issues to really talk about. The neonatologist does want to get them off the ventilators since they are almost 4 weeks old. If babies aren't off by 4 weeks of age, they are given a course of steroids to help their lungs. So, the boys need to make some great strides this week to avoid the steroids.
The boys did mess with Mommy and the nurses yesterday. I was sitting next to Colton pumping when Sean's monitors went off. Of course, his nurse responded. The Colton's monitors went off. His nurse responded. Guess who's monitors went off again??? Yes, Sean's!!! Then Colton's AGAIN!!!
On the way home from visiting the boys, Bubba and I stopped at Lowe's. We bought a new hot water heater. Ours isn't completely out, but it's heading there. I think we can take about a 6 minute shower before the hot water runs out. Lucky Bubba gets to find the time to put it in!! LOL!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Colton's Surgery
Colton had his surgery yesterday morning. We arrived at the hospital at about 9 am. Neonatologist, neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist came in to see him shortly after we arrived. We talked about the procedure and what concerns each one of them had about doing it. Part of the concern was that he had to be transported from the Women and Children's Center to the Main Hospital since that's where the OR is. The nurse was telling me that someone measured it and it's a quarter of a mile walk!
Colton was taken to the OR at about 1030 am and was back in his NICU bed right afternoon. The procedure only took about 30 minutes of that time. The neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist both said he did well during the procedure and to expect him to be sedated for a few days. They explained that it takes awhile for their little systems to clear all the anesthesia out. When we walked in, little Colton had his eyes open and he was looking around! Of course, you could tell he was tired, but he kept opening his eyes and looking around, then he's close them for a few seconds and then he'd open them up and look around again!
Bubba and I left the NICU to get some lunch and make a few phone calls and send a few texts. When we got back to the NICU, little Colton was again looking around!!! I told the nurse he might need some sedation so he can get some rest!!
Bubba says he's happy now because if the boys are identical (no, we don't know if they are or aren't - we might have to do DNA testing) he can now tell them apart! Colton will have a C-shaped scar on his head! Such the joker!! I just think Colton won't want to shave his head when he's older. Although, he could come up with a really good story about how he got the scar . . . maybe a skateboarding accident . . .
Bubba and I spent time with the boys today. Colton is doing well. He is alert and awake quite a bit. He needs to be resting though. Little preemie brains grow while they are sleeping. Sean is hanging out on his hig frequency vent. Gosh, I wish he'd do well enough to get off of it. Because of the vent, he can only lay in certain positions. Those positions are giving him a "toaster head."
Hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas!! The boys will be 29 weeks tomorrow. Yes, they are 3 weeks old, but in NICU-land they are considered 29 weekers. Sometimes it seems like the events of the night they were born seem like they were so long ago . . . other times, it seems like it was just yesterday. One day, I will tell you all the story of their birth.
Today, when Bubba and I got home, we found there were gifts for the boys. They each got a Tickle Me Elmo (from their Grandma), some handmade Christmas ornaments, and some Christmas cards. :)
Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and has a great time with friends and family. Bubba and I will be visiting the boys and having dinner at Chevy's (yes, they are open on Christmas Day!).
Colton was taken to the OR at about 1030 am and was back in his NICU bed right afternoon. The procedure only took about 30 minutes of that time. The neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist both said he did well during the procedure and to expect him to be sedated for a few days. They explained that it takes awhile for their little systems to clear all the anesthesia out. When we walked in, little Colton had his eyes open and he was looking around! Of course, you could tell he was tired, but he kept opening his eyes and looking around, then he's close them for a few seconds and then he'd open them up and look around again!
Bubba and I left the NICU to get some lunch and make a few phone calls and send a few texts. When we got back to the NICU, little Colton was again looking around!!! I told the nurse he might need some sedation so he can get some rest!!
Bubba says he's happy now because if the boys are identical (no, we don't know if they are or aren't - we might have to do DNA testing) he can now tell them apart! Colton will have a C-shaped scar on his head! Such the joker!! I just think Colton won't want to shave his head when he's older. Although, he could come up with a really good story about how he got the scar . . . maybe a skateboarding accident . . .
Bubba and I spent time with the boys today. Colton is doing well. He is alert and awake quite a bit. He needs to be resting though. Little preemie brains grow while they are sleeping. Sean is hanging out on his hig frequency vent. Gosh, I wish he'd do well enough to get off of it. Because of the vent, he can only lay in certain positions. Those positions are giving him a "toaster head."
Hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas!! The boys will be 29 weeks tomorrow. Yes, they are 3 weeks old, but in NICU-land they are considered 29 weekers. Sometimes it seems like the events of the night they were born seem like they were so long ago . . . other times, it seems like it was just yesterday. One day, I will tell you all the story of their birth.
Today, when Bubba and I got home, we found there were gifts for the boys. They each got a Tickle Me Elmo (from their Grandma), some handmade Christmas ornaments, and some Christmas cards. :)
Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and has a great time with friends and family. Bubba and I will be visiting the boys and having dinner at Chevy's (yes, they are open on Christmas Day!).
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Poor Little Colton . . .
This poor little guy is having a rough time. He now has pneumonia. And, tomorrow morning he is having surgery. He will be having a shunt placed. :(
I really am at a loss for words . . .
:(
I really am at a loss for words . . .
:(
Monday, December 21, 2009
A little update . . .
Sean seems to be stable on his new hig frequency vent. They are weaning his oxygen down. :)
Colton is a different story. :( His heart murmur is back. If it's a PDA, he's already had two rounds of medicine to try to fix it. They usually won't do three doses so he would most likely need surgery. But, this isn't the worst of it. His brain still isn't draining fluid like it should - he has hydrocephalus. :( The neurosurgeon says he will most likely have to place a shunt in his brain before Christmas. Also, there is some discussion as to if he has an infection or not. The reason for this is that there was blood in the lumbar puncture sample (because of the brain bleed) so it throws all the numbers out of whack. In any case, he is on two antibiotics. I cry all the time about Colton. I can tell he doesn't feel good but I can't do anything to fix it.
:(
Colton is a different story. :( His heart murmur is back. If it's a PDA, he's already had two rounds of medicine to try to fix it. They usually won't do three doses so he would most likely need surgery. But, this isn't the worst of it. His brain still isn't draining fluid like it should - he has hydrocephalus. :( The neurosurgeon says he will most likely have to place a shunt in his brain before Christmas. Also, there is some discussion as to if he has an infection or not. The reason for this is that there was blood in the lumbar puncture sample (because of the brain bleed) so it throws all the numbers out of whack. In any case, he is on two antibiotics. I cry all the time about Colton. I can tell he doesn't feel good but I can't do anything to fix it.
:(
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