James spent the first week of his life in the Fairview Hospital NICU. Although it was so hard not to be able to hold him, have him in our hospital room with us or take him home right away, we took comfort in knowing what great hands he was in. We cannot say enough wonderful things about all of the doctors and nurses there. During this holiday week, our little man became the NICU's number one priority, and was sincerely cared for. He was in bed #1, in the front left corner of the NICU. To keep his area as quiet as possible, he had a "fort" of screens surrounding his incubator to help keep the noise out and remind those around him to be silent so that he could get as much rest as possible.
After Phil and I came home from the hospital on Christmas night, we continued to spend our days and nights in the NICU by James' bedside every day; holding his hand, telling him all about Christmas and the snow, and reading him stories. Each day James grew stronger and stronger; surpassing the doctors' expectations every time. It was truly amazing to see.
Here are some of the memories and milestones from his first week:
December 24: Monday, Christmas Eve
- Phil spreads the word about James' condition. If it weren't for Phil, I don't think anyone would have gotten any details, as I was not up for talking on the phone and could only handle minimal texting without crying. Phil was wonderful and took on the role of the communicator, updating family and friends each day of James' health and progress. We were overwhelmed with how many people sent along their thoughts and prayers to us in the hospital (Thank You!). Our days centered around visiting with James at his bedside, pumping breast milk for future feedings, taking naps in between, and usually ended with Phil and I alternating tears upon reading every one's well wishes. I think I even forgot that I was also at the hospital because I too was a patient. My recovery seemed trivial compared to what James was going through.
- When James was first placed in the NICU, his body was not circulating oxygen properly. Because his lungs could not expand, his body reverted back to circulating blood as it did when he was a fetus in the womb; bypassing the lungs and circulating carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, thinking it could rely on the placenta to circulate the oxygen for it. Only, once the cord is cut, there is no placenta anymore to do this function. Therefore, from the beginning he required a machine to give him 100% oxygen. Each day, as his lungs began to clear and his body became stronger, he was slowly weaned off the oxygen levels.
- James' blood/gas tests show improvement; his body begins to circulate it's own oxygen, instead of carbon dioxide.
Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Machine (Left) Dopamine, IV fluid and Morphine drips
High Frequency Oscillator Ventilator (Right) (administered through James' cord stump)
Sweet Baby James
- Nurses made a card from James, using his tiny footprints to create an adorable penguin Christmas card. They also made a separate footprint set for us to keep and bring to our hospital room with us.
With love, from James
10 Tiny Toes
- James' nurse said he looked around when she turned him (he is constantly laying on his back, and turned every 12 hours, with his head facing either North or South of his bed). She told us he had big beautiful eyes and was so handsome. We hoped to see them open for us soon!
- Being Christmas Eve, Phil and I read James the story of "The Night Before Christmas." The book was given to him as a gift from one of the nurses.
- James receives his first Christmas ornament! Handmade by one of the NICU nurses. So sweet.
- Our parents get a peak at their grandson for the first time!
December 25: Tuesday, Christmas Day
- Our Christmas present was James finally opening his eyes for us when I changed his hat. We could finally get a glimpse of those big beautiful eyes and see him peacefully awake. It was such a nice surprise to see, as James is normally sedated and sleeping when we see him. I was discharged from the hospital this day, and was struggling with the idea of having to leave the hospital without James. This small miracle allowed us to be to be discharged with a sense of peace despite all of the madness of the situation. We see this as a great sign, given all of the medication he was on to sedate him.
- Nitrous oxide support is cut in half, Morphine cut by 50%, Dopamine by 40%.
- Oxygen levels on the oscillator are now around 30% (we breathe 26% in room air).
- We hang his reindeer angel ornament from Grandma Wisch over his bed to watch over him while we are away.
Christmas card to James from a little boy named Brendan. So sweet!
James' footprints and Christmas hat from the hospital.
Poinsettia from Grandpa and GrandMama Yale
Daddy and his strong little man
December 26: Wednesday
- Our first big winter snow storm hits. Daddy has to snow blow the driveway and walkways before we can head out to the NICU to visit James for the day. Look at all that snow. We began associating snowfall as a "good luck" sign that James was improving each day. And, he really was!
- James gets a new chest X-ray; Doctor deems his lungs look "good," and are clearing the fluid and meconium nicely. Great news!
December 27: Thursday
- James graduated to new vent! Although still requiring a tube down his throat, instead of the high frequency oscillator ventilator, he is now on a conventional respirator, allowing him to breathe on his own, while still receiving additional support.
- Off Dopamine drips. Blood pressure is now stable!
- We officially find out the results of James's head ultrasound, revealing no brain impairment!
- James is off the normal respirator at 6 am! This means no more tube down his throat! We could tell he was so much happier and more comfortable. He could finally give us that loud cry we had been waiting all week to hear!
- Mama is able to hold and cuddle with James for the first time. Best day ever! He was not a fan of the oxygen tube on his face. He kept pulling it out from his nose as if to say, "Hey, I don't need this anymore, get it off me!" Sure enough, this was the first and only day he needed the extra support. The next day the oxygen tube was gone and he was breathing on his own.
- James gets a new incubator! Since he no longer requires the vent and as many meds, he has now graduated to an Isolette incubator, instead of the open bed incubator. This will block out more noise for him (since he is no longer on sedation medication), and allow him to rest more peacefully without all of the monitor beeping and other baby cries startling him every few minutes. A nurse also gave him a very boyish sports quilt (in Browns' colors!) to help keep him cozy as well.
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