One week 2 days old - Morning

Written September 10, 2013 10:08am

I got here just in time for rounds today. I'm starting to actually understand them! (I'm slowly easing back into driving.)

First, the swelling on his foot may have been related to the sensor
being wrapped too tightly on his foot. Dr H will be back after rounds to double check it.

I can just make out his eyelashes this morning. I think they're longer and redder! Where's this ginger-ness coming from?! :)

His blood gasses remain flat. His nurse today (the same one that helped admit him on his first day) said that means he's nice and stable.

They'll do another echo tomorrow morning to see if the Indicin worked.
Based on results today (lower urine output for example) Dr H thinks it's
working. Only the echo will show for sure though.

Evan's light level is also down, but he'll continue to stay under the
lights.

He's very wiggly this morning. I'm starting I realize this typically means he's either working on making a messy diaper or he's sitting in one.

Evan's also been sucking on his respirator tube. I took a two minute video trying to catch him sticking his tongue out. Naturally he only did it before I had the camera out and after I turned it off. He also has a case of the hiccups. He's probably too small to teach him how to get rid of them though. Guess I'll just have to wait to teach him the family secret. 

One week 1 day old - Evening

Written September 9, 2013 9:27pm 

We arrived at the NICU this evening and finally heard what we were waiting on all day - Evan's brain scan came back all clear! Andrew and I both had huge sighs of relief. The cysts also remained unchanged. Such great news.

Evan's bilirubin lights were upped to level 2. I think this was done as a precaution as well as they started him on Indocin (to hopefully fix the PDA). His feet are a little swollen but the doctors said they would just monitor them overnight. The swollen feet may be a side effect from the medication though.

We're still elated from the clear brain scan. I know it has been hanging over our heads. The next one will be in a week unless something happens that would make them need to do it earlier.

Evan should sleep well tonight. He has a teddy from Great Gramma Wheeler in his bed now. My Red Teddy went everywhere with me even to college. He now resides next to my shoes. :) I know Evan will look forward to snuggling his very own teddy. 

One week 1 day old - Morning

Written September 9, 2013 10:44am

Evan had a new IV put in overnight, unfortunately it's in his head. It's very alarming to see it at first but the nurse assured us it's no different than one in another limb. He only receives medication through the IV. It's so nice to see his arms free. He still has the PICC line in his left arm, but at least he doesn't have the popsicle stick brace on his arm. Now he's free to do the wave!!

Andrew dropped me off at the hospital this morning. I was able to watch him get the brain scan done. We're still waiting on the results.

After rounds I learned that his PDA needs to be treated. He had a little blood in the respiratory tube last night. Instead of continuing to wait out the hole in his heart, Evan will start on a new medication that will hopefully close the hole. Unfortunately, this medication is hard on the liver and kidneys. He'll also have to go off feeds while he's on the medication (3 doses 12 hours apart). He'll have another echo tomorrow to see if the medication is helping. If it's not, they'll discontinue it.

Evan is also back under the bilirubin lights. His light level is between 5 and 6 and he's at 6.5. They'll check his blood gas level in 12 hours to reevaluate. We know that he'll be on and off the lights for a while. Now that he has two free arms, he really looks like he's on the lazy river.

Evan is slowly introducing me to a messy diaper. I think he knows I'm not cut out for a full blown blow out just yet. He got a little mad at me this morning when I changed him. Thankfully he was flipped on his tummy and was content again. 

One week old - Good Night

Written September 8, 2013 9:16pm

Evan was born 7 days ago and I got to pick him up for the first time today! It was time for his nightly weigh in and I was asked if I wanted to help. Did I?! My job was to scoop him under his head and buns so the nurse could calibrate the scale. I then had to quickly set him down for the weigh in. Just like with the first diaper, I was a little fumbly. Poor Evan had to be weighed three times because the first two times I did it were way off. I was being too delicate with him. After watching the nurse scoop him I now know I can be a little firmer. He was very soft but still floppy with his extra skin. Evan was weighed naked so as his nurse said "now's the time for him to pee on you!" (He was a good boy and didn't.) After the weigh in, I changed his diaper. I definitely am getting better with that! Now Andrew's got to get in there! The nurses said that they always let mom do all the firsts and then Dad can help. Yay me! :)

Evan picked up another primary nurse tonight. He's becoming quite popular. His nurse said that he reminded her of a little boy she took care of a few years ago. He was born just before 24 weeks and is now going into first grade. I love hearing success stories!

One week old!

Written September 8, 2013 6:28pm

Happy One Week birthday to our amazing little wiggly worm! Andrew and I arrived at the hospital to find that one of Evan's nurses had added an adorable frog blanket and froggy hat to his incubator. He has a little growing ahead of him before he can fit in the hat.

Evan's feedings were increased again today. His lung X-ray was "hazy" so they'll continue to monitor that.

Evan also experienced his first Bills loss. He is officially a Buffalo Bills fan. He was unfazed by the game that was going on in the background of his room. Only a week old and he has the "eh whatever happens" attitude down!

Andrew, Evan and I are so appreciative for everything that people have done. From prayers to mowing the lawn to dinners, thank you. Just knowing that we have you supporting us makes this whole situation that much easier.

Tomorrow Evan has a brain scan. We're going to hope for a nice clear scan.