Developing, Swallowing, Refluxing and Coughing

Life in the Lloyd house has been busy this month.

We spent the 8th, 9th and 10th at Pop-Pop and Nanny's house in Savannah. We celebrated Uncle Matt's birthday, opened Christmas presents and saw Emma play a cow girl in her preschool Christmas play. It was good to see our Savannah friends and spend time with our family.

Daniel was seen by a Physical Therapist (PT), a Neonatal Nurse Practicioner (NNP) and a Neurologist at a Developmental Clinic on the 15th. This was Daniel's first visit to the clinic. They evaluate preemies based on their adjusted age (age they would be if they were full term) instead of their actual age. Daniel's ajusted age is 3 months and his actual age is 6 months. Daniel is right on track with his adjusted age, he on a 3 month level with everything and a 4 month level with some things. He will start TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention) after the holdays so that he will continue to stay on track.

Daniel had a follow-up Upper GI and Swallow Study done on the 20th. Daniel did not aspirate at all and is now getting all his feedings through a bottle with a medium-fast flow nipple. The Upper GI did show some slight reflux but that will be taken care of with medicine given at home a couple of times a day. We look forward to calling Apria (medical supply company) next week so they can come pick up the feeding machine. Our house will look a little less like a hospital and a little more like a home.

Daniel has had a busy first Christmas and it is only Christmas Eve. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy all your time with your families.

Cool Slideshows

Prayer Request

Please keep Jenny in your prayers has she under goes surgery on Monday, November 27 to repair a hernia.

Swallow Study Results

We want to start out by saying a big thank you for all your prayers, God is hearing them. We took Daniel for a follow-up Swallow Study today. Daniel aspirated once while feeding with a fast-flow nipple but he did not aspirate at all on a slow-flow nipple. The plan is now to give bottles when Daniel is alert and awake and watch for signs of aspiration (coughing, congestion, watery eyes). We will continue the continous feeds through the tube for 10 hours at night. Please continue to keep Daniel in your prayers.

Daddy's Gaming Partner

--Those of you that know Daddy (Richard) know his love of computers. One of Daddy's hobbies is online role-playing games (ex. Star Wars, World of War Craft). Daniel has become Daddy's gaming partner.

What Happens When You Become Grandparents

Before Grandkids

After Grandkids

We love you, Pop-Pop and Nanny!

First Professional Photos

Cool Slideshows

Happy Halloween

Daniel spent his first Halloween visiting doctors. His first appointment was at 9 a.m. with his Pulmonologist. Daniel got a really good report, his doctor feels like that he is ready to come off the O2 at night but wants to wait until the feeding problem is taken care of so Daniel is not going through too many changes at once. We met with the Nutritionist while we were there. We are to increase the number of ounces Daniel gets per day next week. Daniel will go back to the Pulmonologist on the 16th. Daniel’s second appointment was with his Pediatrician for his 4 month check up. The doctor is very happy with Daniel’s development. Daniel weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 and ¾ inches long. He got all his shots (2 in each leg) and got some blood work taken. Daniel was a real trooper through the shots and blood work.

Bye, Bye Hospital - Hello, Daddy

Daniel was discharged from the hospital around 3 p.m. today. We headed straight to the airport to pick up Richard (Daddy) who was suppose to arrive in at 4:17 p.m. Richard’s flight was delayed and he did not arrive until 6 p.m. It is so good do have him home. We are all hoping for an uneventful week.

Good News and Bad News

We did not get the news that we were hoping for. The Upper GI showed that Daniel is not refluxing which is good news. The bad news came with the results of the Swallow Study. Daniel is aspirating when he eats (drinks). Daniel will be fed through an NG tube (a feeding tube in his nose) for the next 4 to 6 weeks. I was trained on how to put the tube down Daniel’s nose and how to check for placement. The doctor also increased the amount of calories that Daniel receives per ounce to 24 calories (he was on 22 calories). Richard and I will feed Daniel every three hours during the day through the tube. Daniel will receive continuous feeds for 10 hours during the night.
Please keep us all in your prayers as we adjust to these changes, especially Daniel. Daniel will return for a repeat Swallow Study on November 24.

Do I look sick?

Day 1 At Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

The doctor decided that Daniel should be admitted for an Upper GI and Swallow Study to check for reflux and aspiration. The doctor really feels like the problem is reflux and wants to see how severe the reflux is and if Daniel is aspirating when he refluxes so that the proper treatment can be given. The news that we are hoping for is that meds need to be given and we can go home. The news that we don’t want to hear is that surgery has to be done to put a band where the esophagus meets the stomach. This procedure would prevent Daniel from “throwing up” and refluxing. My mom (Nanny) is staying with us at the hospital. THANKS MOM, I LOVE YOU!

We Miss Daddy!

Richard has been gone for a little over 24 hours and I am ready for him to come home. Daniel woke up around 3:30 a.m., I fed him, burped him and put him back to bed so that I could get a couple more hours of sleep. I had gotten all comfortable in bed and I hear Daniel “throw up” so I get out of my “comfortable spot”, clean him up and put him back to bed. I again get back in bed and get comfortable to be woken up by the gentleman that we care for and I decide at that moment that I will just stay awake and take a nap later. Daniel and I spent the day relaxing at home and I even got to take a nap. I decided that Daniel’s 4 a.m. “throw up” was just a “one time incident”. Now, fast forward 10 p.m., I bathed Daniel, read him a book, gave him a bottle, burped him and put him to bed for the night. I started putting some clean clothes and I heard Daniel gagging and his Apnea monitor alarmed. I ran to him and he had thrown up what appeared to be the whole 5 ounces that he had just eaten and he was a grayish color. Panic set in, I cleaned up Daniel and called 9-1-1. Daniel was taken via ambulance to Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital.

Planes and Reunions

Our day started early today. We left our house at 4 a.m. to take Richard to the Nashville International Airport for his 6 a.m. flight to California. Richard will be in California until Thursday visiting his son’s Everhett and Jarod and his mom and dad. Daniel and I returned home after a teary goodbye for a few hours sleep. Around 12 p.m., Daniel and I met my mom and dad (Nanny and Pop-Pop) and Pam (Granny 2) for lunch and then we all went to Centennial Medical Center for the annual NICU Reunion. The reunion was a little overwhelming but we enjoyed seeing nurses and doctors that cared for Daniel while he was in the hospital. We also enjoyed seeing some friends that we have made through our journey of having a preemie.


Create Your Own

Showing My Personality

I smile.

I laugh.

I pout.

Big Changes

Daniel had an appointment at the Pulmonologist today and we got GREAT news. Daniel no longer has to have O2 during the day. He is still on .1 liters at night because his oxygen stauration level drops to 90 or 92 while he is in a deep sleep. The doctor said that this is a normal process of weening babies off O2. Our other good news is Daniel has reached the 7 pound mark, he weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce and he is 18 and 3/4 inches long.

Making Daniel Happy

Daniel decided that he was bored with everything today...bored with his bed, bored with his swing, bored with his bouncy seat, bored with his gym and bored being held. We remembered that we had one of those jumping things that you hang for door ways, we knew he would be too small but we thought with lots of blankets we could get him to fit so we tried it and he loved it, except it wasn't a jumping thing for him, it was a swing.

Happy Fall

It's hard to believe it's fall. Daniel is is doing great. We have survived Daniel's "first sickness". Daniel and Daddy both got a stomach virus last week. Daniel did spend the night in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital so that he could get some fluids and not get too dehydrated. He is s-l-o-w-l-y gaining weight, his last weight was 6 pounds, .08 ounces. We are now in RSV season here in Tennessee so we are getting ready to "hibernate". We will keep the blog updated since we will not be able to see very many people face-to-face.


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I'm 3 Months Old

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It's hard to believe Daniel is 3 months old (his adjusted age is 2 weeks and 4 days). We have had him home for 3 weeks and we have loved every minute of it (even at 2 a.m.). He had his 2 month well check up on the 11th and got his shots. He goes back on the 25th for a weight check (his latest weight is 6 pounds) and his 2nd Hep. B shot. Daniel had his second appointment with the Pulmonary doctor on the 15th, his 02 was turned down to .1 and he has done WONDERFUL on .1, sating at 97-100. The doctor also said that his lungs sounded GREAT. We are hoping that this will continue and when he goes back on Oct. 2 he can be "weaned" some more. In "non-medical news"...Daniel has enjoyed spending time with his Pop-Pop, Nanny and Granny 2. He has enjoyed meeting his cousins Mary and Emma and his "Uncle Jim and Aunt Lisa". He still hates bath time, some people have asked us if he crys loud, come visit during bath time and you will see how loud he can cry. He sleeps really well, we are able to get 4 to 6 hours of sleep at a time during the night. He is eating a little over 3 ounces every 4 hours and he has gained 11 ounces and grown about 2 inches since he has been at home. We want to thank you again for all the calls, cards, gifts and especially the prayers. We are now "adjusted" to our new sleep schedule and we hope to start sending notes and returning calls soon.

48 Hours

It's hard to believe that Daniel has been home with us for 48 hours. We are all adjusting well to the "change". Daniel seems to be really laid back. He cries when he is hungry. He hates to be put on his left side and he hates to have his diaper changed and he hates to have no clothes on. He loves sound, he sleeps a lot better if there is music playing. He loves his bouncy seat but is not quite sure how he feels about his swing.
We gave Daniel his first bath at home last night and he seemed to enjoy it once he was in the water. He didn't like the getting undressed part and the drying off part but once he was dressed again he was happy. We took a few pictures of him after his bath before putting his new nasal canula in.

Going Home

--We woke up this morning in a hospital room at Southern Hills Medical Center and Daniel was in our room. It felt like a dream.
--We were taking home our boy today!
--We said goodbye to the night shift nurses and gave them our gifts.
--Carol (Daniel's first nurse) went over some final discharge instructions.
--Daddy loaded the car and Mommy got Daniel dressed in his "going home clothes".
--We had a "surprise" visitor. The CEO of Southern Hills Medical Center, Victor Giovanetti stopped by to say goodbye. His daughter was born while Daniel was in the NICU. He "met" Daniel and would visit Daniel at least once a week. He had heard that Daniel was being discharged and wanted to meet us and say goodbye to Daniel. We told him how much we loved and appreciated all the nurses and staff on the 3rd floor and in the NICU.
--We made one last round and said our final goodbye.
--We left Southern Hills Medical Center around 3 p.m.

Rooming In

--We arrived at the hospital around 3:00 p.m. We walked into the NICU with overwhelming, mixed emotions - excitement, nervousness. We were greeted and congratulated by all the nurses and staff.
--We met with the representative of Apria Healthcare (home health that will be providing the monitors and oxygen). We were trained on how to operate the monitors, etc.
--We (with the nurses help) took Daniel off the hospital's monitors and 02 and "hooked" him up to ours. We were then taken to our room (for the night). We got settled in and Daddy headed out to get supper and to pick up a few needed supplies.
--The nurses said that Daniel was "all ours". (They were avaliable at a push of a button.)
--We took over Daniel's care and it was amazing.
--We met with Dr. Campbell to go over all the discharge information and follow up appointments (slightly overwhelming).
--All the nurses came to say bye to us before they got off duty. (We have grown so close to both the NICU nurses and the OB nurses.) We handed out gifts and hugged and said our goodbyes.
--The night was spent waking up every few hours to check on Daniel and to feed him.
--Robin (Daniel's night nurse) had told us to call him around his 2 a.m. feeding and she would come get him, feed him and give him a bath. We called Robin. We hated to see him leave but we knew we would get him back and it gave us a couple hours sleep. (We think Robin wanted one last night with him.)

2 Months

I am 2 months old today!

Betty and Daniel

the sign

--Daniel is 2 months old today! It's hard to believe. He is already 2 months old but his "due date" is not for another 11 days. It's amazing when you really stop and think about it.

--When we arrived at the hospital today we were surprised by a big birthday sign and balloons that the nurses had created. Daniel's nurses are wonderful. Southern Hills Medical Center is small and the NICU is small, so small that a lot of times Daniel has been the only baby in there. We have enjoyed this setting because it has given us a chance to really get to know all the people involved in Daniel's care and it's nice knowing that Daniel is getting a lot of one-on-one time with the nurses.

--Daniel is a "big" 2 month old. He weighs 4 pounds, 13 ounces and he is 16 3/4 inches long. Daniel has gained 2 pounds, 13 ounces and has grown 3 3/4 inches in the past 2 months.

--Daniel recieved a blood transfusion for his 2 month birthday. The transfusion was completed this morning. We are hoping that this will be the last transfusion that he has to have.

--Thank you for all your prayers during the last 2 months, please continue to keep us all in your prayers, especially Daniel. We hope to be posting a homecoming announcement soon.

Daniel had his second month birthday today. The nurses made a sign and decorated his crib. He is getting to be a big boy, he weighs 4 pounds and 13 ounces and 16 and 3/4 inches long. He received a second blood transfusion this morning. We are hoping that he will not have to have another one but there is always a possibility that he will. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he will continue to do well and that we will be bringing him home at the beginning of next week.

Counting Down the Days

The doctor gave us a "target date" for "Daniel's homecoming". The "target date" is next Tuesday, the 29th. We are prepared for this next week to go by very slow. The anticipation is "killing us". We will have to keep ourselves busy so that we won't go insane so our house will probably be spotless by next Tuesday. Daniel is getting a blood transfusion today and might get one tomorrow. He is not making new red blood cells like he should for his size so they are hoping that the transfusion will help with that and with his O2. Everyone's goal is to have him weened off oxygen by the time he goes home but if Daniel decides not to cooperate he will be sent home on oxygen. He is continuing to gain weight and will probably be 5 pounds or very close to 5 pounds by the time he comes home. He is 4 pounds, 11 ounces now. We are excited and anxious. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers. Also please say a special prayer for Daniel's "Granny 2" who is in the hospital.

Mommy and Daddy's Care

--We really enjoyed our visit with Daniel today. We enjoy all our visits but today was special. Daniel was alert and now that he is not critical we are able to do more for him without having to call a nurse over. We have also gotten very comfortable with the NICU and that helps make our visits go better. We have made the NICU our "home away from home".
--Mommy changed Daniel's diapers and spent some time cuddling with him before it was time for him to eat. Daddy fed Daniel for the first time today. (Mommy has been sort of a "baby hog".) Daddy burped Daniel and spent some time cuddling with him before Mommy asked (demanded) to hold Daniel again. Daddy changed Daniel's diaper and clothes, wrapped him up and tucked him in. We felt like "real" parents.
--Dr. Plamer (Neonatalogist) talked to us about what we might expect when Daniel is discharged. There is a great chance (99.9%) that Daniel will come home on oxygen. The doctors prefer not to send a baby home on 02 but if that is the only thing that is keeping them in the hospital they will weigh out the good and the bad. Dr. Plamer explained it this way - Daniel seems "well" medically and he needs to be at home with us so he can get "well" developmentally. The thought of Daniel coming home on 02 scares us. IF Daniel comes home on 02 he will also come home on a Pulse-Ox monitor and an Apnea monitor which is a kind of a relief. We are excited and nervous about Daniel's homecoming and we know it's getting close. We want him at home with us but we want him to be well too.

Saturday's Visit

Daniel was more interested in sleeping then eating today. He only took half his bottle at 6 p.m. when Mommy fed him, he got the other half through his feeding tube. The formula Daniel “eats” is a high calorie formula (24 calories per ounce), the formula is designed for preemies. When he comes home he will be on a formula that has 22 calories per ounce. Daniel did not gain last night, he actually lost 5 grams which is nothing to be alarmed about.

An Afternoon with Mommy

Daniel got to spend the afternoon with Mommy. We go to the hospital everyday and because of our work schedules and other commitments we are only there for 2 hours. Mommy worked her schedule out so that she cound spend the whole afternoon with Daniel. It's really hard to tell who enjoyed the "visit" the most Mommy or Daniel. Daniel also got to see Pop-Pop (Jenny's dad) today. Pop-Pop has not seen Daniel in 3 weeks, he said Daniel had changed but he was still little. Mommy fed Daniel at 3 p.m. and Daniel took all his bottle, he seemed to enjoy "showing off" for Pop-Pop. Dr. Campbell, one of Daniel's doctors said that Daniel will probably be able to come home within the next 2 weeks. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for "Daniel's homecoming".

A New Bed

Cool Slideshows!

--Daniel was moved to an open crib today. He is happy to be "out of the box" and "in the open". This is a step towards going home.
--Daniel is now considered a "feeder/grower". He is no longer critical and all he has to do between now and the time he goes home is show the doctors that he can eat and grow.
--We fed him at noon and he drank all 35 ccs from the bottle. Way to go Daniel!
--Daniel is now a 4 pounder! He has doubled his birth weight (plus some). Daniel's current weight is 4 pounds, 4 ounces.

Chubby Baby Cheeks

looking at mommy

funny little grin

mr. serious

having a little talk with mommy

what's going on over there?

--Daniel is growing and you can really tell it by looking at his cheeks. He is starting to develop chubby baby cheeks.

--Daniel's current weight is 3 pounds, 13 ounces.....4 more ounces and we will have a 4 pound heavy weight. :)

--A minor complication.....Daniel is having to be "reminded" to breathe when he eats. The doctor is going to check Daniel's blood count tomorrow to see if he is anemic. If he is he will receive another transfusion which will "perk him up" and hopefully help with his breathing.

Filling My Tummy

Daniel is eating and growing. His feedings are up to 32 ccs every 3 hours (30 ccs equals an ounce). He is still working on the eating and breathing and making progress, he is getting 2 bottles a day now and the rest of his feedings are through his feeding tube that he has learned that he can pull on. His personality is starting to "shine" he gets pretty upset if he doesn't get his "food" when he thinks he should. He seems to think that he deserves all the attention, he will "do something" to make his alarms go off every time his nurses touch another baby. We know we have said this many times before but we can't say enough how thankful we are for all the prayers that have been and continue to be made. We could not have made it this far if it wasn't for all the prayers and the support that we have gotten. Oh, we almost forgot, Daniel is now 3 and a half pounds.

7 Days

--A lot can happen in 7 days.
--God created the earth in 7 days (6 actually, he rested on the 7th).
--Daniel has performed some "miracles" himself in the past 7 days.
--Daniel reached the 3 pound mark. He is no longer a 2 pound baby! His offical weight is 3 pounds, 4 ounces. He is averaging an ounce a day in weight gain which is exactly what he should be gaining.
--A full term baby is born with the ability to suck, swallow and breathe. A premature baby has to learn how to suck, swallow and breathe. Daniel has begun the learning process. He gets one bottle a day for "practice". Daniel burns calories when he drinks from a bottle, it's an "aerobic excercise". Daniel does not have any spare calories to burn which is why he is only getting one bottle a day. Daniel's "practice time" will increase as he learns to suck, swallow and breathe.
--Daniel is not only learning how to drink from a bottle, he is also learning how to control his body temperature. Daniel has started wearign clothes to help with this.
--A lot of babies born premature have anemia and receive one if not more blood transfusions during the NICU stay. Daniel received an ounce of blood this week that "perked him up".
--Daniel had an eye test on Thursday. The test was done to check for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, the tissue that lines the back of the eye. Daniel's test results were negative, meaning he does not have ROP. He will have a repeat eye test in 3 months.

1 Month - Awake and Alert

--Happy 1 month birthday Daniel!
--Newborns sleep a lot, preemies sleep a lot more. Daniel stayed a wake during our visit today. He was very alert (for a preemie) and checking out his surroundings. After he "ate", Mommy rocked him to sleep. What a precious moment!
--We got the results back from the repeat ultrasound. The bleed has not dissolved but it has not increased either. It's not that news that we really were hoping for but it is still good news. Thank you for your prayers.

Almost

--Daniel is almost 3 pounds. His current weight is 2 pounds, 11 ounces only 6 more ounces to go. Grow Daniel grow!
--Daniel is almost "eating" one ounce of milk every 3 hours. He is currently "eating" 22 ccs every 3 hours, only 8 more ccs and he will be "eating" a whole ounce. Eat Daniel eat!
--Daniel was not very happy when we arrived at the hospital today. It was time for him to eat and he knew it and he was making sure that everyone else knew it too. We "fed" him. Mommy held the feeding tube abd Daddy helped Daniel hold the pacifier in his mouth. (Daniel gets a pacifier during "feedings" so he will associate sucking with eating.) After Daniel was through eating we burped him, spent some time snuggling, changed his diaper before putting him in his isolette. We love getting to do the "little things" for Daniel, it makes us feel like "real parents".
--We want to end this post with a prayer request. Daniel will have a repeat head ultrasound sometime tomorrow. Please pray that the bleed has not gotten worse, infact the ultimate prayer would be that the bleed has totally dissolved.

Father's Day in July

--Daddy got to hold Daniel for the first time yesterday. Daddy and Daniel really enjoyed their time together.

--Daniel is steadily gaining weight. His current weight is 2 pounds, 10 ounces. The goal is that Daniel gains an ounce a day.

--Daniel's feeds have been increased, he is now getting 16 ccs of milk every 3 hours. As of Friday he is no longer getting nutrients and lipids through the IV, he is getting all his nutrients and fats through milk. He will stay off the IV as long as his blood sugar stays under control.

Time Out for Thanks

--We wanted to take some time to thank everyone for your thoughts, calls, visits, food, gifts and especially the prayers that have been received since Jenny was hospitalized and Daniel arrived. These past few weeks have not been easy, it's so hard to see Daniel lying in the hospital with tubes, etc. and know there is nothing that you can do to make him better. Your prayers and support have helped keep us going and even though we have not really taken the time out to thank you please know how much you are appreciated.

Tough Little Guy

--It is so hard to believe that Daniel is 3 weeks old. He has been through so much in the past 3 weeks, he is such a tough little man.

--Daniel was moved into an isolette on Friday. He has been in a warming bed since he arrived. This bed provided heat and easy access so the nurses and doctors could provide care and start IVs, etc. Daniel's move is a step up for a few reasons. 1.) Daniel is not as critical and the doctors and nurses do not need "easy access" to start IVs, etc. 2.) Daniel is ready to learn how to control his own boddy temperature and the isolette will help him learn how to do this.

--Daniel is being fed 8 ccs of fortified breast milk every 3 hours. (5 ccs equals a teaspoon) The breast milk is fortified to provide extra calories. We wish we could say that Daniel was handling all his feedings well but he has really been struggling to digest the milk. The doctor decided to keep trying because some babies seem to require a little more food to help push things through.

--Daniel is still having a few Apnea spells and is still receiving medication. The doctor said that a lot of preemies "outgrow" Apnea spells around 34 weeks gestation, Daniel is 32 weeks gestation.

--Daniel is being weighed more frequently now that he is not as critcal. He was weighed last night and we are happy to report the he has gained. His current weight is 2 pounds, 9 ounces.

Mommy Holds Daniel

--Daniel is doing great for a 2 pound baby, born 11 weeks early.
--He has been off CPAP and on nasal cannula since Tuesday. He has been having Apnea spells which is very common in preemies. An Apnea spell is when a baby stops breathing for 20 seconds or more and is accompanied with a slow heart. He is being treated with medication and will probably be on the medication for a week.
--Daniel turned 2 weeks old yesterday and recieved a wonderful birthday present...Mommy held Daniel for the first time.

Sweet Pictures

Fireworks

--When we arrived at the hospital today we were surprised to see Daniel off the CPAP and on the nasal cannula. An even bigger surprise was Daniel was breathing room air thru the cannula.

--When we called to check on Daniel tonight he had been given his first bath. He was doing well on the nasal cannula although the 02 had to be turned up.

--Daniel will start his feeds again tomorrow after a few days of rest. He will recieve 1 teaspoon of breast milk every 6 hours.

--Daniel has gained 5 ounces. His current weight is 2 pounds, 8 ounces.

Hanging In There

--Once again we apologize for the delay in posting.

--Daniel is doing pretty well.

--A head ultrasound showed that Daniel has a grade 1 intraventricular hemorrage (IVF). IVF is bleeding in the brain and will hopefully resolve itself. The doctor said that a grade 1 bleed is very mild. He explained it to us in this way, if you put several children in one room, half born with a grade 1 bleed and the other half born with no bleed you would never know which children were the ones with the bleeds. Our prayer is that the bleed will resolve itself and not increase. Another ultrasound will be done in a few days/weeks to see if the bleed has increased/decreased/stayed the same.

--A chest x-ray was done on Saturday that showed that Daniel has very hazy lungs. This could be a sign of Chronis Lung Disease which is very similar to Asthma. The doctor said that it is too soon to make a diagnosis, several more x-rays will be completed before Daniel is released.

--Daniel's feeds were stopped for a day due to residual (undigested food) in his stomach. The doctor feels like he just needs a break from eating. Daniel's digestive system is immature and may not be ready to handle food. This is a common problem in preemies.

--Despite oll the complications the past few days, Daniel is hanging in there.

Chillin' on CPAP

--We apologize for the "pause" in posting. We got some much needed rest.
--Daniel is doing well. He was taken off the nasal cannula and put on CPAP on Tuesday because he was struggling with breathing. It is very rare for a preemie to go from being on a vent to being on a nasal cannula. Daniel gave it his best shot.
--CPAP (continuous postive airway pressure) delievers pressurized air to the baby's lungs and assists the baby with breathing but does not breathe for the baby. Daniel is breathing on his own.
--Daniel has started "eating". Daniel is being fed one teaspoon every 3 hours through a feeding tube that has been placed down his throat. This is not his only source of his nutrients, he is receiving nutrients and lipids (fats) through his IV as well.
--Daniel gained 3 ounces. His current weight is 2 pounds, 3 ounces.

A Mommy's Feelings

--There is no greater feeling in the world then the feeling that you have when your child is born.

--My pregnancy was not an easy one. The problems started early, sround 3 moths I had a threatened miscarriage and spent several days on bed rest. I had 2 kidney infections, the first one at 5 months and the second one at 6 months which I sepnt 3 days in the hospital for. I have been monitored very closely throughout my entire pregnancy due to developing pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy and delievering at 32 weeks. My OB/GYN (Dr. Ross) is wonderful. He really "stayed on top of things".

--There are so many emotions going through me right now. I knew there was a chance that I could develop pre-eclampsia again. I checked my blood pressure 4 times a day (doctor's order).

I did everything the doctor said. I was willing to make any scarifice that I had to so that my baby would arrive healthy.

--On Monday, June 12, I went to my regular appointment with Dr. Ross. (I had been seeing him

once a week since May.) My blood pressure was elevated and we discussed the steriod shot that are used to speed up the maturation of a baby's lungs. We all felt that it would be good to start them "just in case". Dr. Ross left it up to Richard and I on whether or not I start the shots that day or wait until my next appointment that was schedule for Wednesday, June 21. I am so glad that we made the decision to start them that day. Dr. Ross also decided to start me on medicine to keep my blood pressure low.

--On Saturday, June 17, my blood pressure was high every time I checked it. I also had a severe headache that would not go away. I called the on-call OB/GYN and she suggested that I go to the hospital. Once I got to the hospital a nurse immediately started checking my blood pressure and Daniel's heart rate was monitored. The doctor really wanted me to relax so that my blood pressure would come down. Richard went home and I was not allowed to watch TV or talk on the phone. I really tried to relax but it is hard to relax when you are fearing for you baby's life.

--After spending Saturday night and Sunday night in the hospital I was expecting and preparing to be sent home on Monday on bed rest. I got other news. I was on the edge of developing pre-eclampsia. The doctor had decided that it would be better if I stayed in the hospital until delievery which could be in a few hours, a few days or a few weeks. As borign as the hospital was I was hoping for a few weeks. My daily routine was as follows...I was not allowed to eat after midnight, my protein level was checked every morning and I had an ultrasound every morning to "check on Daniel". Once all the results came back and everything was ok, I was allowed to eat. (Richard tried to arrive around lunch time so he could bring me good food.)

--On Wednesday, June 21 that m protein level was down which was great news. However the ultrasound showed that Daniel was not getting any blood flow do our only choice was a c-section. When I heard the doctor say that the time had come I was so scared. My first son (Noah) was born at 32 weeks. I had some kind of idea what we were going to be facing. I called my mom (Richard was already there) she was going to leave right away (she lives 3 hours from the hospital). The nurses started getting me ready for the c-section, everything was crazy.

--I don't remember much from the time in the operating room. I think I was so scared that I tried to block everything out. I do remember hearing Daniel cry, he sounded like a kitten. The nurses took me back to my room to recover. I wanted to see Daniel but I was so sick. The nurses took several pictures of him and sent them to me via Richard. When mom arrived she took several pictures. (We didn't have our camera at the hospital.) I spent the night looking through all the pictures.

--I got to "meet Daniel" on Thursday, June 22. He was so tiny, nothing could have prepared me for the feelings that I felt when I saw him lying there with all the tubes and wires coming from his body.

--I am home now. Daniel is still in the NICU and will be for several more weeks. I am trying to take everything that has been "thrown" at us moment by moment. I didn't get to take my baby home with me. I haven't had to get up at all hours of the night with a newborn but I wish I could. I haven't even got to hold my baby yet. Being a new mom is hard, being a mom to a preemie is even harder.

and the nurses started getting me ready for the c-section...it was crazy. I am home now and I am slowly recovering but I know that "the journey" is not over, the "journey" will not be over until Daniel is at home with me. It is so hard being away from him...I know he is being well taken care of but nobody ever takes care of a "your child" as well as you do. I have had such a wonderful "support group" through all this and I couldn't have made it without everyone who has been there, I am so grateful to each and every one of you, I would name people but I am afraid that I would leave someone out. I consider myself to be the luckiest woman alive...I have a wonderful husband who cares for me and a beautiful son. Richard has been so great through everything, very supportive and he always made sure I was well taken care of. I learned from Noah what it was like to be a mother and what it is like for a mother to love a child but I never thought I could love someone as much as I love Noah until Daniel arrived.

Off the Vent

--Daniel has had another big day today.

--Daniel's PDA closed with the medication so he will not have to have surgery. (Thanks for the prayers.)

--Daniel's plalette count was low (64,000). 50, 000 is critical. The doctor decided that it would be better to give Daniel a trasnfusion now. Daniel received the transfusion early this morning.

--The doctor tried to start a new centeral line in his arm so the one in his belly button could be removed but she was unsuccessful. Daniel's viens are so tiny and she did not want to stress him out by continuing to stick him. It is very common for preemies to have centeral lines in their belly buttons but doctors try not to leave them in there for to long because there is a higr risk for infections and blod clots.

--The doctor told us this morning that Daniel was ready to be taken off the vent but she was going to wait and do it tomorrow so he would not get stressed out any more today. We got a phone call around 2:30 p.m. from Daniel's nurse (Carol) telling us that Daniel was off the vent. The doctor had decided to come back to the hospital and try the centeral line again and was successful. She then decided to give Daniel a run without the vent.

--We got to see Daniel's precious face when we visited tonight. Daniel looks a lot like Daddy.

--Daniel's was weighed while we were visiting. He is back up to his birth weight...2 pounds.