Ryan, Daddy, Grandmom and Grandpop
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Update 1/30/08
Hey everyone,
Well, again not too much to update. Ryan's continuing to gain weight - he's now up to about 1100 grams which is about 2 lbs 7 ozs. I'm able to "kangaroo" him longer, which is good for both of us, I'm usually able to hold him for about an hour. He LOVES it and keeps his temperature up and his heart rate, saturation (oxygen) and respirations are better when he's snuggled in my shirt.
Other than that, there isn't much more to report. His buddy Jack is doing really well and will actually be able to go home Friday!
Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!
Well, again not too much to update. Ryan's continuing to gain weight - he's now up to about 1100 grams which is about 2 lbs 7 ozs. I'm able to "kangaroo" him longer, which is good for both of us, I'm usually able to hold him for about an hour. He LOVES it and keeps his temperature up and his heart rate, saturation (oxygen) and respirations are better when he's snuggled in my shirt.
Other than that, there isn't much more to report. His buddy Jack is doing really well and will actually be able to go home Friday!
Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Update 1/27/08
Hello everyone,
Well, Ryan is continuing to do well. He's back up to his birth weight (actually a little over) at 2 lbs 4.5 ozs. They are going to increase his feeds to 7.5 ml and hour and fortify the breast milk with 2 more calories to make it 24 calories per ounce. He's also taking a multivitamin liquid, and is continuing to receive the epogen shots and the breathing medicine to help with his apnea. He's starting to develop a personality and we can see him smile and even get a little fiesty! The nurses encourage us to participate in his care, so today I was able to change his diaper and swab his lips to moisterize them.
Jackson is also continuing to improve - he's off of the ventilator and his parents thank everyone for your prayers.
Continue to keep Ryan in your prayers - they're working!
Well, Ryan is continuing to do well. He's back up to his birth weight (actually a little over) at 2 lbs 4.5 ozs. They are going to increase his feeds to 7.5 ml and hour and fortify the breast milk with 2 more calories to make it 24 calories per ounce. He's also taking a multivitamin liquid, and is continuing to receive the epogen shots and the breathing medicine to help with his apnea. He's starting to develop a personality and we can see him smile and even get a little fiesty! The nurses encourage us to participate in his care, so today I was able to change his diaper and swab his lips to moisterize them.
Jackson is also continuing to improve - he's off of the ventilator and his parents thank everyone for your prayers.
Continue to keep Ryan in your prayers - they're working!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Update 1/24/08
Hello everyone,
There isn't much to update, but as they say no news is good news. Ryan started his epogen - the medicine that will increase his red blood cells yesterday. It is a series of injections that he'll get for 10 days, then they will test his hemoglobin (the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and hematocrit (the concentration of red blood cells in his blood). If his numbers are up, then he won't need the blood transfusion.
They've also started to fortify the breast milk with calories. Breast milk typically has 20 calories per ounce so they are going to fortify it to 22 calories, then 24 calories which will enable him to put on weight. The nurses say that typically when the babies get the fortified milk they "pack on the pounds" so hopefully Ryan will pack them on.
I've been able to "kangaroo" Ryan everyday and it really seems to help. All of his numbers on the monitor are always better when he's on my chest!
So, please keep the prayers coming - they are really working. If you have an extra moment, please also pray for baby Jackson, another baby in the NICU. He's not doing too well (I don't know the details, but he's hooked up to a vent and they've called a priest in to baptize him) and I think he needs some prayers, too.
Thanks again for everything!
There isn't much to update, but as they say no news is good news. Ryan started his epogen - the medicine that will increase his red blood cells yesterday. It is a series of injections that he'll get for 10 days, then they will test his hemoglobin (the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and hematocrit (the concentration of red blood cells in his blood). If his numbers are up, then he won't need the blood transfusion.
They've also started to fortify the breast milk with calories. Breast milk typically has 20 calories per ounce so they are going to fortify it to 22 calories, then 24 calories which will enable him to put on weight. The nurses say that typically when the babies get the fortified milk they "pack on the pounds" so hopefully Ryan will pack them on.
I've been able to "kangaroo" Ryan everyday and it really seems to help. All of his numbers on the monitor are always better when he's on my chest!
So, please keep the prayers coming - they are really working. If you have an extra moment, please also pray for baby Jackson, another baby in the NICU. He's not doing too well (I don't know the details, but he's hooked up to a vent and they've called a priest in to baptize him) and I think he needs some prayers, too.
Thanks again for everything!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Update 1/21/08
Hi everyone!
Well, Ryan continues to do well. He's put on more weight (he had dropped down to 2 lbs from his 2lb 4oz birth weight) and is now 2lbs 2.6ozs. He continues to put on weight, which is a good sign. He also had a second head ultrasound today as a follow up and it also came back normal.
I was also able to hold him in what is known as a kangaroo hold. Basically, I had a zip-up top on and I unzipped my top and the nurse laid him on my chest and zipped me back up. This helps both Ryan and me in many ways. It keeps Ryan warm, and as he listens to my heart beat it reminds him of being in the womb and it helps to regulate his own heart rate and breathing. It helps me (and Bill, down the road) b/c it's reassuring, allows us to hold our son and it stimulates the "good stuff" for Ryan to eat. It was an amazing experience to feel his little body against my skin and I can't wait to do it again.
Ryan will also start a medication that will stimulate his kindey to produce bone marrow which in turn will increse his red blood cells.This usually occurs naturally in the womb, but since he was so anxious to come out it didn't have an oportunity to take place. This procedure will hopefully prevent the need for a blood transfusion. The nurses told me that they can't remember the last time they had to do a blood transfusion and that this medication is pretty succesful in stimulating the kidney.
So, Ryan continues to grow and as mentioned before, we believe that the power of prayer is really working, so keep those prayers coming!
Well, Ryan continues to do well. He's put on more weight (he had dropped down to 2 lbs from his 2lb 4oz birth weight) and is now 2lbs 2.6ozs. He continues to put on weight, which is a good sign. He also had a second head ultrasound today as a follow up and it also came back normal.
I was also able to hold him in what is known as a kangaroo hold. Basically, I had a zip-up top on and I unzipped my top and the nurse laid him on my chest and zipped me back up. This helps both Ryan and me in many ways. It keeps Ryan warm, and as he listens to my heart beat it reminds him of being in the womb and it helps to regulate his own heart rate and breathing. It helps me (and Bill, down the road) b/c it's reassuring, allows us to hold our son and it stimulates the "good stuff" for Ryan to eat. It was an amazing experience to feel his little body against my skin and I can't wait to do it again.
Ryan will also start a medication that will stimulate his kindey to produce bone marrow which in turn will increse his red blood cells.This usually occurs naturally in the womb, but since he was so anxious to come out it didn't have an oportunity to take place. This procedure will hopefully prevent the need for a blood transfusion. The nurses told me that they can't remember the last time they had to do a blood transfusion and that this medication is pretty succesful in stimulating the kidney.
So, Ryan continues to grow and as mentioned before, we believe that the power of prayer is really working, so keep those prayers coming!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Update 1/19/08
Hey everyone,
Ryan continues to thrive and each day is an improvement. His feeds have been increased and his IV decreased to the point that he should be completely off of the IV tomorrow.
His bilirubin levels are down, and should hopefully be done with the lights by tomorrow or Monday. He will also be finished with the antibiotics tomorrow, too.
Here are some new pictures of Daddy holding him - aren't they just adorable?!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Update 1/17/08
Hello everyone,
First we just want express our gratitude once again for all that you have done for us. Ryan, Bill and I are so fortunate and lucky to have friends and family like all of you. We'll continue to update this blog as news comes in - and as we have time.
As of today, Ryan is doing really well. He's completely off of his oxygen and liter flow which means he's breathing the way that we all do - no extra help.
He had a brain scan yesterday and everything came back normal. Ryan's feeds (breast milk) are continuously being increased and the IV fluids are being decreased, the goal being that he will be on complete breast milk.
Today he took a break from the lights that are helping to remove the bilirubin (aka the stuff that makes babies turn yellow when they have jaundice) but he'll probably go back on tomorrow. This gives him an opportunity to keep is eyes open and look around - he'll most likely be off the lights permanently by the middle of next week. He's also pooping and peeing on his own, a good sign that he's digesting well and getting rid of the bilirubin.
We'll be adding some pictures, too - so even if we don't add a verbal update you can see for as he's continuing to grow.
Well, that's all for now. Please continue your prayers as we truly believe that those prayers have helped Ryan get to the point that he's at now.
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