Saturday, May 23, 2009

Updates- 5/23



We have made a lot of progress in the last few days! First, Dawson was moved BACK to the Cpap on Wednesday, after 3 days of being re-intubated. He basically took Sunday to rest and then was rarin to go and get back on his own. We have had a few Apnea/Desat episodes, but nothing they are to worried about, since he seems to be able to recover on his own.

We were also able to try Kangaroo Care on Thursday, but Dawson didn't really like it to much. He definitely does NOT like being out of his swaddle, and we couldn't get the Cpap in the right position so it wouldn't try to rip of his teeny nostrils. But we were able to hold him in the swaddle which he LOVED. We have each been able to hold him every day since, and even though it is a fiasco getting everything situated, Dawson just sleeps the entire time away. He loves being held, which we are happy to oblige to. I was also able to give him another bath today, and he screamed his face off the whole time LOL. I love the sound of his cry, and all the expressions he makes. My little drama king already!

Dawson is still on full feedings, 4.7ml/hour, and is now IV/PICC line free. They removed that on Thursday since they weren't using it and in order to prevent infection from it just "being there" they took it out. They have also added fortifier to his milk as well as an calorie/oil supplement in order to help him put on the weight. 2 days after he hit 2 lbs they gave him 2 rounds of Lasix (diuretic) so he lost a little bit. As of today he was still at 1lb 15 oz, so we are hoping with all the extra calories he is getting he will cross on over here shortly.




The most peaceful face, I just love watching him sleep. My precious baby boy.




(Also- there is a plastic piece that fits over his nose to allow the prongs to go in...making it look...how to say it...HUGE! LOL)



Monday, May 18, 2009

Back to the vent!

Well Sunday we had a tiny setback, Dawson was placed back on the ventilator from the Cpap. He was struggling so hard, and was getting so tired! As soon as they moved him over though his stats came right back up and he fell right to sleep. He was whooped!

I was able to give Dawson his bath today, all by myself. Dawson did so good for mom, made the mad face a bit but really kept his stats stable, and hung in there for me. He was wide awake the whole time, munching away on his tube and "smiling" for Sarah and I.

Dawson is also tolerating his feedings very well, he is now up to full feedings at 4.5ml/hour which is about 3oz a day. He no longer needs the IV nutrition or fats (TPN or Lipids) He is tolerating them so well...that he actually tipped the scale OVER 2lbs TODAY!! My little boy is the newest member of the 2lb club, and it feels sooo good!! Such a great day seeing that come up. He is doing so well!

I met with Dr. Omar and Dawson is doing so well back on the vent that at this point if he extubates himself, they will just move right to Cpap again. If he doesn't, then they are planning to trial Cpap again within the next few days.

A few pics from today.



He ALWAYS has to have his hands by his face or behind his head.


Giving mom the "peeper" eye


Strawberry blonde boy...He always looks darker at the hospital and then I get the pics home and his hair looks a whole new color.


Conked out, but getting some mama/daddy lovin!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

And on the 35th day

Mama held you! Today was absolutely amazing, and that is not even the best means to describe the way I am feeling now. Dawson had been doing so well on the conventional vent, breathing over and oxygen levels at room air, that I asked about holding Dawson on Sat. They wanted me to hold off until Sunday, to ensure that his stats would stay as good as they had been. Then on Sunday when I called, they said that Dawson had been doing too good, they wanted to try out the Cpap starting Monday.

Well Monday came around, and they switched Dawson on over. He had a rough start, but then picked right up where he should have and put those lungs to work!!


Dawson says what the heck is this thing!! Doesn't it look like scuba gear!! This is his new fancy Cpap.


Yawning now that his mouth is sans breathing tube. We even got to hear him sneeze and squeak a little. No cries yet though...


We even got to check out Mr. Dawson without any equipment on. Because he is doing so well with his breathing...they were able to take off his tubes during his assessment.


Picking him up for pictures...Dawson is NOT enthused! So much personality already. We need to get some meat on those bones!! Which by the way, they have bumped him up to 2ml/hour, and he is tolerating it very well. No residuals!!

So Dr. Omar decided that if Dawson could keep his stats stable for 24 hours on the cpap, we could get him out to hold him. So today was day, on Dawson's 35th day of life, Ryan and I held him for the first time. It is so surreal, amazing, exciting, nerve wracking...all in one. I cannot wait to do it tomorrow!!

Mama holding you for the FIRST time!!






Dawson with Daddy




So as long as Dawson's stat stay stable, and he is tolerating the handling each day, this is something we can continue to do. As of now, I am going to get to try Kangaroo care (skin to skin contact) tomorrow afternoon, and holding him again tomorrow night.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Dawson's first "birthday" and My first Mother's day

Well, Mr. Dawson turned 1 month old on Thursday, however mommy is slightly in denial. Where did that time go? How could it be a month already?

Thursday was a big day for us, I changed my first (but soooo far from my last) diaper...although finding his butt is a whole new task entirely! DH and I were also able to assist in his bath, and changing his linens. Dawson also got his first Tshirt! A little white top, but the nurse drew "MSU" on the front in green marker LOL. She was so nice. The Dr. also decided to start feedings again, however they are taking a new approach since we have been struggling with this. Instead of a few mls every so many hours, they are now doing .5mls consistently every hour. Dawson has been tolerating this much better. He is also having multiple BM's each day...I never thought I would be soo happy about poop haha.

They also moved Dawson back to the conventional ventilator! YES! The dr. was starting to worry that the oscillator was putting to much pressure on the kidneys. Dawson did very well with the move and has been slowly weaning down on his settings. As of this morning...17 bpm (breaths per minute, 15 is the lowest you can go I believe) and Dawson is breathing over the ventilator, all on his own. Such a positive step in the right direction!!

I also had my first baby shower! My Aunt, cousin, and one of my best friend's were kind enough to throw us such an awesome get-together. Food was excellent and the cake was even better ;-) We got tons of goodies, and had a good time just spending some girl time and enjoying the thought of being a mom instead of worrying so much. Thanks so much girls!!!

For my first mother's day, Dawson and Daddy got me a pedicure, which was fantastic, and just in time. Mommy needed that time to relax!


Mommy with Dawson's first birthday cake...funfetti! YUM!


My little peeper boy


MOM! No more pictures!!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The last 6 days

Wednesday 4/29- I know I already discussed this in the past post...but I wanted to include this...Dawson's travel accommodations.


And...These are the meds! Each blue and gray box is a different medication my peanut was on starting Wednesday.


umm...Drugs are nice...LOL My poor knocked out guy...


And the Ronald McDonald house where Ryan and I stayed...


Thursday 4/30-I woke up around 9 and called the nurse to check in. She gave me the update and then wanted to update me on how the day would go being that Dawson was the 3rd case that day. I had the nurse clarify what that meant 3 TIMES, because I wanted to be sure I had heard her correctly. Dawson was being operated on today, and he would be the third PDA Ligation in the NICU. So Ryan and I busted around and headed into Holden. This was a surprise because they told us it was not likely they would operate until Sat. at LEAST. But we met with his surgeon (who was so nice) and she explained the procedure. They would be inserting a small titanium clip in to close the duct. It would scar and grow with Dawson as he gets big and strong. Surgery would last about an hour, and then an hour to get his linens and lines re-adjusted properly, and they would operate at the bedside by entering in between 2 of Dawson's ribs on the left side. No moving for Dawson. Ryan and I went into the waiting room and 45 mins later...ALL done! A little stitch and a little gauze and Dawson was sporting his fancy new chest tube (to allow for drainage for the first 48 hours)




Friday 5/1- Dawson was recovering well, low vent settings and excellent stats. He was on some Hydrocortizone (steroids) and some Blood pressure meds and insulin to adjust some of his levels, but nothing major. All was set to remove the chest tube on Sat. Morning for transport Sat. night.



Sat 5/2- I checked in with Kristine in the morning and confirm all was set to go for transport home! YAY! Sparrow was scheduled to come for the pick up (he was coming home via ambulance) around 7. Ryan and I went up to the hospital and just kindof hung around. Dawson was doing so good, really over achieving all the stats. Well 7pm goes by, then 7:30, then 8pm with still no word from Sparrow confirming they had left. And then just as Grandpa got in to visit, in rolls Sparrow. It took them about an hour and a half to get Dawson stable and in the transport gurney. Already not a fan of travel...

We got back to Sparrow around 11:30m and into the isolation room so they could confirm Dawson didn't catch any bugs or MRSA while in U of M.

(Whoa that is a lot of stuff for such a little guy! See the yellow blanket? There he is!)

Sunday 5/3-
Well Dawson decided that he was mad at nurse Sarah for sending him away, and he was paying her back alright. In the matter of hours, we blew a art line (IV in the artery) had another one placed and blew that one too. (We are up to 5 failed lines now...yay). He tanked his stats and wouldn't digest his food. Awesome kid, if there is one thing you have mastered, it is the temper tantrum! The other thing Dawson picked up on...is a major staple in our house!



Ugh...Dad?! Was that you? Because it stinks! LOL

Monday 5/4- Well Mr. Dawson, what can we say. Your temper tantrum raged into the evening hours and they decided to give you back your "washing machine" Dawson was placed back on the oscillator (which sounds like a washing machine...that runs constantly) which is not technically a step backwards, but the vent gives us less freedom...and prevents kangaroo care. Mommy has a sad =(

Each of these red numbers refers to how Dawson is reacting to the oxygen. and wouldn't you know, not even a half an hour after being placed back, Dawson's stats skyrocket back up to 100%. YAY! Mommy has a happy! I am still bummed about not being able to hold him any time soon...but whatever makes him happy and thriving I will take. Plus..He is now off all of the meds! YAY!!

Tuesday 5/5- Happy Cinco De Mayo-Dawson seems to think today is a good day too, as he is still thriving. He had to get another blood transfusion today, but his vent settings are set at an optimum rate, and he is doing good. His blood cultures came back today and we have confirmed that he is bug/MRSA free...YAY!! No more isolation, and no more gowns! (Ryan and I had to wear gowns in order to go in to see him) He was so active tonight, and had Ryan and I cracking up.




So we are hoping for a better couple of days, with some continued low settings on the vent and hoping to begin feedings again here soon. Where oh where has the time gone...my little boy is already almost a month old!! We have his birthday coming up on Thursday, I am going to take in some pictures of Ryan and I and the dogs to tape to his isolette so that he can see them when he opens his eyes (which is still rather infrequent). I also need to think of something else to take up there to celebrate!!

Thank you all for reading and keeping our little guy in your thoughts and prayers. It means soo much to us to have so many people pulling for our little guy to stay healthy and come home...soon!!