Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Parole Hearing

I know why all of you are reading this and yes, I’m happy to report my toothache is gone. Also Jordan’s diuretics failed. The medicine was supposed to get rid of some excess fluid in his lungs and let him breathe a little easier. It did get rid of a little fluid, but he isn’t breathing any better. He still needs oxygen in order to breathe. It’s become clear that his problems are beyond their control. He will just have to outgrow it. That will take much longer than anyone is willing to pay for, so he is about to be sprung from the big house. Dr. Warden has agreed to parole the prisoner, but he must meet several conditions:
1. They will start feeding him all bottles today. He needs to do well for at least a week.
2. He has been put on a lower oxygen flow which he must continue to tolerate.
3. His parents must complete a CPR course and learn how to operate the machinery he will go home with (Friday).
4. He will stop his diuretics this week and needs to tolerate that.
5. He must not shank any of the other prisoners.
We don’t have an exact date yet, and it will be determined largely by him, but we hope he can be home by his due date 11/3/07. I have been waiting to do this blog entry for months and you know what? We are very happy - happier than we’ve been since we purchased our house. We are not ecstatic. I thought when we went home I’d start crying or jumping up and down. When the social worker said we need to take our classes the first thing I thought was, “I wonder if my boss wants me to take off Friday or Monday?” The mama Ali and I spent half the evening talking about all of the preparation we need to finish this month. That brings up a good question that I need comments on, particularly from other preemie parents. We have two small lap dogs that weigh about 20 pounds combined. One of them is a short haired dog that sheds a lot. Obviously we keep them out of the nursery and away from the baby. However, they live in the house. Would that harm him if he isn’t allergic?

I am going to try something out over the next few blog entries. I have a lot of people to thank over several entries. It’s in no particular order of importance, but it needs to be done. Most of you don’t care and shouldn’t. It’s like watching the Emmys and giving a crap who the person wants to thank. As a result when I say ‘I want to thank’ someone, you may continue reading if you wish, but after that point the rest of the blog entry won’t have any news about Jordan. That way, if you think you’re on the list you can choose to keep reading. If you only care about reading about Jordan, you won’t miss anything. So first, I want to thank our employers. This whole thing started out of no where. The mama Ali left her job at 8 am and was in the hospital by 11 am. I have missed more work days this summer than I have missed in any other job. We have both had to change our work schedules, and with the dozens of doctors appointments left in 2007, it will be a while before we can get back to our old hours. We can’t fully explain how much we appreciate your flexibility and your help. Jordan thanks you as well.

6 comments:

Sarah Furlough said...

We have 2 dogs, a lab and a miniature schnauzer. Cooper is not allergic, so it hasn't been a problem.

We do, however, vaccuum and sweep like crazy. Our lab especially, sheds A LOT! That won't really be an issue until Jordan starts crawling, and when he starts to put things in his mouth that he picks up off of the floor.

So excited to hear that his parole is just a few weeks away. What an exciting day that will be!

Nathali said...

Isn't that weird? You waited for these words (going home) for so long and when it's there you start feeling all these other emotions. I would suggest that you and mama Ali enjoy the time you have together and go out for dinner a few times before he comes home (I wish we had taken more advantage of the time Michael was in the NICU and had someone to take care of him, ha ha!)

We have a dog (German Sheppard/Chow mix). She is staying with my in-laws. She sheds a lot and we bought an air purifier. She loves the baby, but it's hard to walk her and the baby (who is still on oxygen)

It seems like Jordan might be going home on oxygen too. I wonder why they are stopping the diuretics...

abby said...

An air purifier, keeping the dogs out of Jordan's room, and bringing blankets and stuff with J's smell on it for the dogs is a good idea. So is a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Have a plan b, though, just in case Jordan does turn out to be allergic. See if you cannot round up good friends who might take the pooches if that happens.

Good luck on the next few weeks. And please know that home oxygen isn't as scary as it sounds. Just don't let insurance trick you into one big tank if you have more than one floor. Insist on two separate units.

23wktwinsmommy said...

I had a cat but decided to find him another home as soon as the babies where born at only 23 weeks. (I had thought about finding him another home as soon as I found out I was pregnant anyway though.) But after being born so early, I didn't want to find out the hard way if the twins were allergic since I knew they would have lingering lung disease for a long time. I just figured the cat wouldn't be good for them...the hair and dander obviously, the scratching, possibly jumping on the babies, or trying to lick milk from their faces while feeding...yuk, having to clean a litter box when I had 100000 things to do etc. etc. etc. We were so fortunate to find a coworker of my mother's who absolutely loves MyLo.
However, I was not extremely attached to him. I loved him and had had him for less than a year so he still had that cute kitten quality, but as soon as the twins were born, no cute cat could compare. So for me it was a very easy decision, although for many who are very attached to their pets it wouldn't be that simple.
So to make a long comment longer, I guess you should weigh how much these doggies mean to you and like Abby said if you do decide to see how Jordan does, have a plan B. Maybe find someone who might take them if it doesn't work out. Then you could still go visit them if you wanted to.
Your getting to the final stretch...congratulations!

Cora said...

I have 2 boxers and a former 23 weeker who is now 16 months old. She handled the transition to home with all of the dog hair just fine.

Preemies actually don't have a developed enough immune system to have an allergy to dogs/cats/dust etc until they are a bit older (6-12 months corrected age). So even if he's fine now, an allergy can still develop later. That being said, it is now that my daughter is crawling that I'm hating the dog hair. We just hope that the hair she eats counts as fiber in her diet!

So glad your little one is doing well, and going to be coming home soon. Get ready for those sleepless nights! Congrats.

Traci said...

I would be the only non-parent to have to add my 2 cents, but I've accepted a long time ago, that I can be a know-it-all at times, so I know you must have accepted it long before I did :) Seriously, I don't know from parenting experience so I may not be relating on the same level, but from the perspective of getting L & LD accustomed, starting to the new routine (ie, no jumping on the sofa, not allowed in the nursery, etc.)before Jordan gets there- might help ease any jealousy issues (they will recognize him as the reason why they can no longer curl up in your lap to go to sleep, that kinda thing)...and I second Abby on the blanket idea- I think I read that somewhere....oh, and buy a Dyson! Expensive for a vacuum, but you know my bunch: 4 animals, and a husband but it still takes everything I throw at it- love, love, LOVE IT.