Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Stopping In...
Just want to share some good news...Ryan has taken the bottle twice this week and they've had great success...
Update- theres been a lot of backforward with the VP shunt surgery but it's officially set for this coming Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers.
Also, as of Monday our chunky monkey reached 7 lbs and 19 1/2 inches. He is growing like a weed. Aunty Rally asked Momma Banda "what are they feeding him poi??" lol
I ran into one of his earlier nurses yesterday and she told me that Ryan was truely an inspiration to the babies that come into the NICU. She said he had such a rocky start with all the unknowns but he has overcome so many odds. I wanted to cry with joy. Hearing those words is so soothing. God has blessed me beyond this lifetime by giving Martin and I, Ryan. He truely is a gift from God and it's so amazing to witness a miracle each day. Thanks be to God and to my family/friends that have walked with me and continue to walk with me during a time of such unknown.
Update- theres been a lot of backforward with the VP shunt surgery but it's officially set for this coming Wednesday. Please keep him in your prayers.
Also, as of Monday our chunky monkey reached 7 lbs and 19 1/2 inches. He is growing like a weed. Aunty Rally asked Momma Banda "what are they feeding him poi??" lol
I ran into one of his earlier nurses yesterday and she told me that Ryan was truely an inspiration to the babies that come into the NICU. She said he had such a rocky start with all the unknowns but he has overcome so many odds. I wanted to cry with joy. Hearing those words is so soothing. God has blessed me beyond this lifetime by giving Martin and I, Ryan. He truely is a gift from God and it's so amazing to witness a miracle each day. Thanks be to God and to my family/friends that have walked with me and continue to walk with me during a time of such unknown.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Update 06/07 thru Father's Day
In the beginning he was back on the high flow cannula and this was due to his surgeries the week before. Ryan was trying to get back to eating at 1 cc every 3 hours, but with residuals every time , the following day he was taking nothing by mouth. He was getting lots of sleep during the day and the night.
Then as of 5 am on 06/09 Ryan was on room air breathing all by himself, and the the doctors jumped up to 5 cc. They wanted to get his belly stimulated. I was a little scared because he went from nothing by mouth to 5cc's, but he has been tolerating his feeds and doing well.
Ryan started occupational therapy for nippling on 06/15. It was just an evaluation to see where he is at and what we need to do. He got his first ever vaccines on 06/16, handling them like a champ. We gave him a bath by ourselves for the first time on 06/19. Martin and I were nervous but he just kept still while we washed him up. Eyes open he was the best ever for us.
The best day out of all of this was Father's Day. Martin celebrated his very first. It was so wonderful to witness this, to see my husband hold his son ever so tightly, close to his heart. I know in my bones that Martin will be a great daddy to Ryan, they will be close. Of course we took pictures and captured this moment, first of many. Also, they made Martin this cute little card that had a picture of Ryan with a sweet poem. It had Ryan's little footprint and handprint.
In the beginning he was back on the high flow cannula and this was due to his surgeries the week before. Ryan was trying to get back to eating at 1 cc every 3 hours, but with residuals every time , the following day he was taking nothing by mouth. He was getting lots of sleep during the day and the night.
Then as of 5 am on 06/09 Ryan was on room air breathing all by himself, and the the doctors jumped up to 5 cc. They wanted to get his belly stimulated. I was a little scared because he went from nothing by mouth to 5cc's, but he has been tolerating his feeds and doing well.
Ryan started occupational therapy for nippling on 06/15. It was just an evaluation to see where he is at and what we need to do. He got his first ever vaccines on 06/16, handling them like a champ. We gave him a bath by ourselves for the first time on 06/19. Martin and I were nervous but he just kept still while we washed him up. Eyes open he was the best ever for us.
The best day out of all of this was Father's Day. Martin celebrated his very first. It was so wonderful to witness this, to see my husband hold his son ever so tightly, close to his heart. I know in my bones that Martin will be a great daddy to Ryan, they will be close. Of course we took pictures and captured this moment, first of many. Also, they made Martin this cute little card that had a picture of Ryan with a sweet poem. It had Ryan's little footprint and handprint.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Cherish
Week of June 1st update:
Ryan had an eye exam on 06/01/2010 that showed early signs of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). ROP is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less that are born before 31 weeks of gestation. The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP. This disorder—which usually develops in both eyes—is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood and can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness. (National Institute of Health) It was later confirmed that he was at Stage I. Stage I — Mildly abnormal blood vessel growth. Many children who develop stage I improve with no treatment and eventually develop normal vision. The disease resolves on its own without further progression. (National Institute of Health) Following that visit a second opinion was requested just to confirm. The second opinion was scheduled on 06/03/2010. I talked to the second opinion doctor and he said it sounded like Ryan was at Stage I and that if this was correct on 06/03/2010 he wanted to proceed with laser surgery for early intervention. Both Martin and I understood the severity of letting this continue any longer or doing nothing. We agreed to laser surgery, if needed. On 06/02/2010 a day before the surgery we met with a neurosurgeon who was concerned over the recent dilatation of Ryan’s ventricles. He said they were swelling causing pressure. While Ryan was too small to get the shunt they felt it would be best for him to have a reservoir for now. He said this would help him for the 2-3 weeks until he got bigger. He explained that the reservoir will allow cerebrospinal fluid to be removed with a syringe to check the pressure. Fluid from the reservoir can also be examined for bacteria. The neurosurgeon also, wanted to act fast and said that he would add Ryan for surgery on 06/03/2010. This meant that Ryan would have two surgeries in one day, wow, did we have a big day ahead.
I prayed that night and also, in the morning asking God to be with him during this time, to heal him and work through the hands of these doctors. I was scared and frustrated that my son had to endure another thing. I couldn’t help him, save him or protect him. I must say that I’ve never in my life felt so helpless or weak. That Thursday I spent the day at the hospital first telling Ryan I would be there waiting for him once he was done with his eye surgery and then second kissing him before he went into neurosurgery.
After, each surgery I met with the doctor and was told he tolerated the surgery well and was recovering. It was quite a week, but as usual our lil’ fighter pushed through it. He continues to amaze us and continues to reflect the miracle that God offers us. We are so blessed!
Ryan had an eye exam on 06/01/2010 that showed early signs of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). ROP is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less that are born before 31 weeks of gestation. The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP. This disorder—which usually develops in both eyes—is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood and can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness. (National Institute of Health) It was later confirmed that he was at Stage I. Stage I — Mildly abnormal blood vessel growth. Many children who develop stage I improve with no treatment and eventually develop normal vision. The disease resolves on its own without further progression. (National Institute of Health) Following that visit a second opinion was requested just to confirm. The second opinion was scheduled on 06/03/2010. I talked to the second opinion doctor and he said it sounded like Ryan was at Stage I and that if this was correct on 06/03/2010 he wanted to proceed with laser surgery for early intervention. Both Martin and I understood the severity of letting this continue any longer or doing nothing. We agreed to laser surgery, if needed. On 06/02/2010 a day before the surgery we met with a neurosurgeon who was concerned over the recent dilatation of Ryan’s ventricles. He said they were swelling causing pressure. While Ryan was too small to get the shunt they felt it would be best for him to have a reservoir for now. He said this would help him for the 2-3 weeks until he got bigger. He explained that the reservoir will allow cerebrospinal fluid to be removed with a syringe to check the pressure. Fluid from the reservoir can also be examined for bacteria. The neurosurgeon also, wanted to act fast and said that he would add Ryan for surgery on 06/03/2010. This meant that Ryan would have two surgeries in one day, wow, did we have a big day ahead.
I prayed that night and also, in the morning asking God to be with him during this time, to heal him and work through the hands of these doctors. I was scared and frustrated that my son had to endure another thing. I couldn’t help him, save him or protect him. I must say that I’ve never in my life felt so helpless or weak. That Thursday I spent the day at the hospital first telling Ryan I would be there waiting for him once he was done with his eye surgery and then second kissing him before he went into neurosurgery.
After, each surgery I met with the doctor and was told he tolerated the surgery well and was recovering. It was quite a week, but as usual our lil’ fighter pushed through it. He continues to amaze us and continues to reflect the miracle that God offers us. We are so blessed!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Melt With You
So an update on his previous week...
Ryan was off the vent on 05/24/2010 and back on the SiPap. He celebrated his two month birthday (Yippee!!) with toleration of 2 cc every 3 hours on his feeds and few tremors. From his latest head ultrasound we were advised that there was slight growth of fluid in the brain. This could mean a shunt in the future, but at this time it is unknown,his neurologist and neonatologists arefollowing him closely. He moved up to 3 cc every 3 hours and finished his antibiotics on 05/28/2010.
On Sunday he had quite an apnea spell which is when these preemies stop breathing. It's very common and most of the time through stimulation they come out of it pretty quick. Of course, I was scared crazy trying to stimulate him. It was so hard to watch him decrease in heart rate and turn pale blue, but with some O2 assistance he came out of it. I must say he's been doing great when it comes to his respiratory and the whole incident was unlike him, but this just tells me we still have a ways to go. After, his brief spell he's been doing great. I think every once in a while he likes to age me.
My gracious God I love the child you've sent down from heaven for me. You've given me a perfect reflection of your love and image. The gift you offer from your kingdom is amazing. No words could express my gratitude, but for all my days I will love your child, who is now my child. In your name and all my knees I pray in your name, Amen!
Ryan was off the vent on 05/24/2010 and back on the SiPap. He celebrated his two month birthday (Yippee!!) with toleration of 2 cc every 3 hours on his feeds and few tremors. From his latest head ultrasound we were advised that there was slight growth of fluid in the brain. This could mean a shunt in the future, but at this time it is unknown,his neurologist and neonatologists arefollowing him closely. He moved up to 3 cc every 3 hours and finished his antibiotics on 05/28/2010.
On Sunday he had quite an apnea spell which is when these preemies stop breathing. It's very common and most of the time through stimulation they come out of it pretty quick. Of course, I was scared crazy trying to stimulate him. It was so hard to watch him decrease in heart rate and turn pale blue, but with some O2 assistance he came out of it. I must say he's been doing great when it comes to his respiratory and the whole incident was unlike him, but this just tells me we still have a ways to go. After, his brief spell he's been doing great. I think every once in a while he likes to age me.
My gracious God I love the child you've sent down from heaven for me. You've given me a perfect reflection of your love and image. The gift you offer from your kingdom is amazing. No words could express my gratitude, but for all my days I will love your child, who is now my child. In your name and all my knees I pray in your name, Amen!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
Happy 2 month Birthday Ryan!!
2 months old- May 26, 2010
Weighs 3lbs and 0.3 ounces
Ryan is back on the SiPap machine due to a small infection, but he is doing very well and healing. He will remain on antibiotics for the full term of 10 days and he is almost done with treatment. He looks so handsome and a nice color. He had to start over with his feedings so right now he is eating 3 cc's along with powder that adds calories to the breast milk. This will help him gain weight. Ryan is also, having range of motion therapy. This helps get his muscles and joints working. I must say Ryan is quite strong and is always trying to move. When he lays on my chest during kangaroo care he lifts his head up trying to look at me. When something is being done to him that he doesn't like oh he will let you know with swinging fists. He might look like his Daddy, but he sure has his Mommy's fighting spirit.
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