Last night, I got to hold Jordan for the first time! This is definitely one where other people can relate. Remember the first time you held your first born child. My turn was yesterday. It is so nice when we get to do things that normal parents do. He was comfortable and didn’t fuss or anything. He was about the length from my palm to by elbow. He fit in my forearm just like a football, but I shudder to think what would have happened if I fumbled. I was wearing a mask because I'm still recovering from my cold. Better safe than sorry. The worst part was when I had to hand him back to the nurse and go home. It is getting less emotional when we leave the hospital and we know that everyday is a day closer to coming home.
He has been gaining weight at a pretty decent clip this week. As mentioned below, he had lung problems over the weekend, and they responded by giving him medicine to make him urinate. He lost weight on Sunday, but since then, he has gained over 3 ounces! Right now, he is up to 1 pound 13 ounces. His lungs are doing fine for the moment and have seemed to resolve themselves. Not a miracle or anything, just caffeine. It is a stimulant that helps the heart and lungs. Obviously not something to give him long term, but it can do wonders when he’s having a bad day.
Today’s vocabulary term is ‘Retinopathy of Prematurity’ or ROP for short. When babies are born early, the eyes haven’t finished developing properly. For reasons still unknown to science, when preemies are born early, the blood vessels grow irregularly and this can cause vision problems. In the mildest cases (Level 1), it can resolve itself without any intervention by the doctors. In the most severe (Level 5), it means blindness. In between, there are many treatments including lasik surgery while still in the NICU. He will have his first test for ROP today. The question is not whether he will have it, over 90% of kinds born that early do. The question is how severe. Most likely is that they will observe for a few weeks or months before they do anything. Just one more hurdle to clear before he can come home.
He has been gaining weight at a pretty decent clip this week. As mentioned below, he had lung problems over the weekend, and they responded by giving him medicine to make him urinate. He lost weight on Sunday, but since then, he has gained over 3 ounces! Right now, he is up to 1 pound 13 ounces. His lungs are doing fine for the moment and have seemed to resolve themselves. Not a miracle or anything, just caffeine. It is a stimulant that helps the heart and lungs. Obviously not something to give him long term, but it can do wonders when he’s having a bad day.
Today’s vocabulary term is ‘Retinopathy of Prematurity’ or ROP for short. When babies are born early, the eyes haven’t finished developing properly. For reasons still unknown to science, when preemies are born early, the blood vessels grow irregularly and this can cause vision problems. In the mildest cases (Level 1), it can resolve itself without any intervention by the doctors. In the most severe (Level 5), it means blindness. In between, there are many treatments including lasik surgery while still in the NICU. He will have his first test for ROP today. The question is not whether he will have it, over 90% of kinds born that early do. The question is how severe. Most likely is that they will observe for a few weeks or months before they do anything. Just one more hurdle to clear before he can come home.
3 comments:
FABULOUS PHOTO!
Love, Gail
So cute! But could somebody powder the daddy, his forhead's a little shiny. :)
You know Shelly, this is all your fault. My son would never be in the hospital if you never introduced me to his mother. You need to come down here and personally apologize.
Post a Comment